SHARJAH, UAE: Ireland clinched victory in the first T20I of their three-match series against Afghanistan here on Friday, winning by 38 runs.
Josh Little and Ben White starred with the ball for the tourists, while Harry Tector hit an undefeated half-century as Ireland took a 1-0 series lead against hosts Afghanistan.
Needing 150 runs to win, Afghanistan got off to a nightmare start when Mark Adair took the wicket of Rahmanullah Gurbaz on the first ball of the innings.
Gurbaz’s opening partner Sediqullah Atal also quickly joined the stands when Little caught him off Tector.
The Irish left-hander then bowled Azmatullah Omarzai’s first ball to score a hattrick in just the second overs of the match.
White then took charge and finished with 4 for 20, with Mohammad Ishaq scoring 32. He also dismissed Mohammad Nabi, Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai and Nangeyalia Kharote.
There was plenty to do in the end and Afghanistan finished 111 in 18.4 overs despite the resistance of Naveen-ul-Haq, who smashed 13 off 15 balls.
Earlier, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan won the toss and sent Ireland into bat.
