Controversial run out overshadows Afghanistan victory over Ireland

Ed Joyce’s controversial run out overshadowed Ireland’s 79-run defeat as Afghanistan took a 2-1 lead in their five-match one-day international series at Stormont in Belfast.

Ireland were bowled out for a lowly 150 chasing a target of 230 in the fourth ODI after Afghanistan had made 229 for seven off their 50 overs, but the dismissal of Joyce with the home side on 27 without loss in the sixth over left the hosts furious.

Joyce hit the ball to extra cover and stopped running when he thought it had gone to the boundary, but the chasing fielders got the ball back in and when the throw was gathered the opener was run out.

Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai was asked by the umpire to withdraw his side's appeal but when the tourists refused and Joyce was given out.

Ireland still had time to mount a better challenge but with just two batsmen managing to get past 30 – Kevin O'Brien (34) and Paul Stirling (31) – they were never seriously in the chase with wickets falling at regular intervals.

Afghanistan's teenage leg-break bowler Rashid Arman took four for 21 off his eight overs and was the pick of the bowlers in a man-of-the-match display.

Ireland had earlier gained the upper hand as they reduced Afghanistan to 109 for six – Rahmat Shah made 48 off 70 balls – but the tourists’ tail-enders saved the day.

Arman, batting at number eight, struck an unbeaten 60 off 44 deliveries and number seven Mohammad Nabi made a half-century to help lift their side to a respectable total.

The final match in the series takes place on Tuesday at Stormont.