Ireland vs Afghanistan 5th T20I Highlights: Ireland triumphs by 7 wickets

IRE vs AFG 5th T20I Highlights: Ireland beat Afghanistan by 7 wickets (D/L format) in the 5th Twenty20 International in a dry spell. Afghanistan started the proceedings by scoring 95 runs in 15 overs before rain stopped play. The match was reduced to 7 overs after rain. Ireland was asked to chase 56 runs in seven overs which the hosts managed with two balls to go. Afghanistan batted first and in 15 overs he posted 95/5 with Usman Ghani (44) being the top scorer. M Adair won 3/16 for Ireland. Ireland needed just 6.4 overs to reach a revised target of 56, losing just 3 wickets.

Both teams battled for the title. Afghanistan started batting first and scored 95 runs in 15 overs. Usmanani said he did not appear in the 44th. However, the game was eventually shortened, with a revised goal set for Ireland, as the rain stopped play.

Hosts were called upon to chase 56 runs in 7 overs. Ireland played well, reaching the goal with two balls to go, winning an exciting encounter, and sealing the series with a stunning 3-2 victory for her.

Mark Adair had an outstanding start with the bowling for Ireland, taking three crucial wickets to reduce Afghanistan to 26/3 early in the Powerplay. Before Joshua Little was called back into the attack and quickly got two wickets to put his side back in the lead, Ghani and Najibullah Zadran put 40 between them and were looking good to settle. Although Usman Ghani was able to quicken the tempo of his innings, the game was called after 15 overs due to rain.

Afghanistan Playing XI: Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Usman Ghani, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi(c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fareed Ahmad Malik
Ireland Playing XI: Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie(c), Lorcan Tucker(w), Harry Tector, George Dockrell, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Simi Singh, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little