Ed Joyce’s career-best knock helps Ireland level series against Afghanistan

Ireland’s Ed Joyce exacted revenge on Afghanistan by hitting a career-best 160 not out to square the one-day international series 2-2 at Stormont.

Joyce was controversially run out in the previous match after Mohammad Nabi falsely claimed he had prevented a boundary — actions which earned a reprimand from the International Cricket Council for being “contrary to the spirit of cricket”.

But there was no stopping the 37-year-old Sussex batsman as he cracked 19 fours and three sixes to tee up a 12-run win.

Joyce, who also hit an unbeaten ton in the third ODI, carried his bat as the hosts posted 265 for five with Gary Wilson adding 58.

Afghanistan’s top order buckled under examination, losing three wickets in the first 10 overs and slipping to 99 for five.

The middle and late order rallied but Kevin O’Brien marked his 100th appearance with the wicket of top-scorer Najibullah Zadran (54) as he returned three for 57.

Afghanistan finished nine down for 253, Dawlat Zadran making 31 not out.