Nabi, Rashid turn the tables on Ireland to level series for Afghanistan
Ireland were well-placed nearing the halfway mark of their chase before Rashid Khan changed the game
Ireland were well-placed nearing the halfway mark of their chase before Rashid Khan changed the game
Scorer: K Vairavan | Commentator: @himanshu_a30
That's it from us, as Afghanistan levelled the three-match series against Ireland. Nabi and Rashid led the way, with the decider taking place tomorrow evening. Until then, it is goodnight and goodbye from Vairavan, Harshith, and me, Himanshu!
Azweer: "Hope the fans saved some nails for the series decider" --- And I saved my fingers and some energy for it...
Rashid Khan, Afghanistan's captain, is the Player of the Match. He said there were brief nervous moments, but there are players who can take it away, referring to Nabi's fifty from 14 for 4.
Paul Stirling, Ireland captain: "Great game. They all seem to be close. I am actually happy how we performed. We have another chance tomorrow. They bowled well up top. But the partnership brought them back in the game."
Time for the presentations
Mohammad Nabi: "There was a bit of pressure for the first few overs. But when I realised that the wicket is good for batting, I told my partner Sadiq that let us play it ball by ball. The ball was gripping, and if you bowled a variation, it was difficult. It was a match-changing wicket [of Stirling]. We'll try our best to play good cricket, and hopefully win [the series]."
11.31pm Afghanistan make it 1-1 despite Ireland starting the chase in command, and despite being 14 for 4 with the bat. And once again, it was their spinners who applied the brakes. Rashid took four after grabbing three in the first T20I, after Nabi bashed 59 in a counterattack with the bat. The Player-of-the-Match remains for one of these two. So hang around for the presentations.
GJ Delany c Sediqullah Atal b Fazalhaq Farooqi 39 (26m 18b 3x4 4x6) SR: 216.66
Over the wicket
Ireland need 18 off 6
Ireland were well-placed nearing the halfway mark of their chase before Rashid Khan changed the game