CRICKET TWENTY20 QUADRANGULAR SERIES:IRELAND FINALLY got the upper hand over Afghanistan at the third time of asking at the P Sara Oval in the Sri Lankan capital yesterday as they won their opening tie of the Twenty20 quadrangular series by five wickets.
Losses in last year’s World Cup qualifier in South Africa and a comprehensive defeat that all but ended Ireland’s hopes of a fourth-straight Intercontinental Cup title in the first game of the tour had given the Afghans plenty of belief.
But with a full-strength XI that saw Kevin O’Brien and Paul Stirling come in for Phil Eaglestone and Nigel Jones, Ireland proved too strong in a victory that gives them both momentum and confidence before the two sides meet in the opening World Twenty20 Qualifier in Dubai this day week.
The evergreen Trent Johnston proved the hero with the ball as Ireland restricted the Afghans to 121 for nine from their 20 overs after they had won the toss and batted.
The former skipper, now 35, took a wicket in each of his four overs to reduce Afghanistan to 49 for four, with his figures (4-22) spoiled late on as he was hit for three straight fours.
Teenage left-arm spinner George Dockrell continued his dream start at senior international level with two wickets for just 11 runs in his four overs, while Andre Botha showed why he is the ideal death bowler as he finished with figures of three for 14.
Ireland were sharp in the field; Gary Wilson held two skiers off Dockrell’s bowling, while there were fine catches from Kevin O’Brien, Andrew White and Alex Cusack in breezy conditions.
Ireland roared from the traps in reply, with Niall O’Brien (18 from 13 balls) and skipper William Porterfield (46 from 30) setting the platform as they moved to 70 for two in the eighth over.
Botha and Kevin O’Brien went cheaply as the middle order wobbled, but Stirling played a steady hand, making 17 from 29 balls.
John Mooney and Wilson got home with 11 balls to spare when Mooney pulled a short ball to the boundary.
Johnston is confident the victory is the stepping stone to a successful tour, with the goal of qualifying for the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean top of the list.
“We’ve got them (Afghanistan) in the group stages so we’ve got to take what we’ve done here today and move forward and use that as momentum.
Ireland enjoy a rest day today before taking on a Canadian side that were hammered by nine wickets by Sri Lanka A in yesterday’s earlier game.
The Irish camp will also find out today if Boyd Rankin will be available for next week’s qualifiers, although the news from Warwickshire is the bowler is expected to be ruled out with a foot injury.
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