Impressive Afghanistan Overcome Undefeated Ireland, Move to the Top

Dambula, Jan 24: Afghansitan defeated Ireland by seven wickets in a four day match in Dambulla, Sri Lanka to move to the top of ICC International Cup.

With two wins and one draw from three matches, the Afghan team sits at the top of the table with 43 points. The win further highlights the Afghan team's impressively rapid rise through the ranks in the past couple years.

Ireland, a team that has played in World Cup 2007 and defeated the likes of Pakistan, was unchallenged at the top of the table prior to this match. Afghanistan showed that they are capable of not only putting up a fight, but also defeating formidable teams.

Winning the toss and batting first, Ireland posted an impressive first innings total of 405. Captain Porterfield top scored with a gritty 78 that included two sixes and seven fours. Three other Irish batsmen chipped in with fifties, but none converted their starts into a big hundred. For Afghanistan, leg-spinner Shinwari took four wickets while Hamid Hassan was rewarded for his attacking bowling with three wickets.

Lead by the captain and topscorer Nowroz Mangal, the Afghan top order once again showed signs of maturity and consistency, leading the team to a score of 474. Five of the Afghan scored fifties, three of which were scores of eighties. For Ireland, White took four wickets while Botha managed three Afghan victims.

The Irish began their second innings trailing by 69 runs. Facing the talented Afghan fast bowlers, the team only managed 202 runs in their second innings, their number 9 topscoring with a fighting 63. For the Afghan side, opening fastbowler Ahmadzai took five wickets while spinner Nabi was equally impressive with four.

The Afghans chased down the target of 134 in 31 overs with only losing three wickets. Opener Noor Ali topscored with 57 and Shahzad helped in with a 42 no tout.

Considering the strength of the opposition and the inexperience of the Afghan team at this level, this was a clinical performance from them that should further boost their confidence.