ICC U-19 World Cup 2018: Ireland Register First Win With Thrilling Win Over Afghanistan

Nov 2, 2023 at 4:20 PM

facebook iconlinkedin iconmail icontwitter iconWhatsApp iconTelegram icon
ICC U-19 World Cup 2018: Ireland Register First Win With Thrilling Win Over Afghanistan

Ireland must have had their heart in the mouth when Max Neville started the final over of the match against Afghanistan with a no-ball and a wide.

With just a wicket in hand, Afghanistan needed seven runs off the final over and was firmly in the driver’s seat after Neville conceded two extras. However, in the end, Neville made amends for his poor start, dismissing Qais Ahmad on the second ball of his over to help his side beat the reigning Asian country by four runs and register their first win of the tournament.

Needing a win to finish the group at the top of the table, Afghanistan shakily began their pursuit of 226 with their opening batsman Rahmanullah departing for just seven. From there on, it was a story of getting the starts but not capitalising on it, as they kept on losing the wickets at regular intervals which eventually derailed their chase. By the time they reached 100, they were four wickets down. It was followed by a 34-run stand between Darwish Rasooli and Tariq Stanikzai before Harry Tector dismissed the former.

Ireland registered their first win of the tournament (Credits: ICC)

Wickets continued to tumble, and Afghanistan soon got reduced to 196 for eight. The match could have to either side from that position but Afghanistan Qais Ahmad ended the partnership looking favourite to walk away with all the points after Qais Ahmad and Mujeeb Zadran shared a 21-run stand before the latter got dismissed when Afghanistan needed just nine runs. The equation was finally down to seven off the last over, but Neville kept his calm to dismiss Ahmad and propel his team to a memorable win.

Earlier, Afghanistan’s decision to bowl first turned out to be a good one, as their bowlers restricted Ireland to 225 for eight. At 67 for one, Ireland was looking set to prove Afghanistan’s decision wrong, but once Waqarullah Ishaq sent back Morgan Topping, Ireland lost their way and soon reduced to 73 for four. A 72-run stand between captain Harry Tector and Neil Rock steadied the ship, but after the partnership was ended by Qais Ahmad, Ireland failed to put up any notable partnership and eventually restricted to 225 for eight.

Brief score:

Ireland 225 for 10 (Graham Kennedy 37*, Tector 36, Ahmad 3-32) beat Afghanistan 221 for 10 (Baheer Shah 34, Tector 3-37) by four runs.

Related Article
Prithvi Shaw Opens up on Doping Ban
Prithvi Shaw Opens up on Doping Ban

Apr 9, 2020, 12:26 PM


Global Sports Round on 3rd February, 2018
Global Sports Round on 3rd February, 2018

Feb 3, 2018, 4:46 PM


ICC U-19 World Cup 2018: Twitter Erupts as Indian Bowlers Fold Up Australia for Modest Total
ICC U-19 World Cup 2018: Twitter Erupts as Indian Bowlers Fold Up Australia for Modest Total

Feb 3, 2018, 12:34 PM


ICC U-19 World Cup 2018: Twitter Erupts as India Thrash Pakistan to Storm Into Final
ICC U-19 World Cup 2018: Twitter Erupts as India Thrash Pakistan to Storm Into Final

Jan 30, 2018, 9:39 AM


ICC U-19 World Cup 2018: India Dismantle Pakistan to Storm Into Final
ICC U-19 World Cup 2018: India Dismantle Pakistan to Storm Into Final

Jan 30, 2018, 9:37 AM


ICC U-19 World Cup: Australia End Afghanistan’s Dream Run To Qualify For Final
ICC U-19 World Cup: Australia End Afghanistan’s Dream Run To Qualify For Final

Jan 29, 2018, 11:36 AM


Desktop Banner
Mobile Banner