Zazai and Rashid resign Ireland to series loss

Opening batsman Hazratullah Zazai and leg-spinner Rashid Khan catapulted Afghanistan to a comfortable 81-run triumph over Ireland, in Wednesday’s second Twenty20 International at the Bready Cricket Club in Magheramason.
Zazai’s brisk 82, which spanned a mere 72 deliveries and featuered six fours and seven sixes, spearheaded the Afghans to a formidable final total of 160 for eight.
He was well supported by captain Asghar Afghan’s commanding 37 and the big-hitting Najibullah Zadran’s unbeaten 20.
Seamer Peter Chase was, statistically, the best of the Irish bowlers. His fine haul of three for 35 was aided by the lanky Boyd Rankins’s key brace, which featured the important dismissal of the dangerous Mohammad Nabi.
“It was really special. I was keen to play and it’s nice to get the opportunity to play here. It was good to get a crowd,” said Rankin.
Ireland’s pursuit slipped to an entirely insufficient 79 all out. That final total would have read substantially less, too, had the veteran William Porterfield dug deep for a near standalone 33.
Khan combined superbly with left-arm slow bowler Mujeeb Ur Rahman. The duo achieved telling collective figures of seven for 34 in seven entertaining overs.
The result afforded Afghanistan an unassailable two-nil lead in the three-match series. The final T20I will be played at the same venue on Friday.
Latest
-
England
Liam Livingstone praises England spinner Rehan Ahmed as ‘exceptional talent’
Ahmed has furthered his blossoming reputation against the West Indies by recording identical figures of 10-1-40-2 in two ODIs in Antigua.
-
England
Little bit of relief – Sam Curran and England bounce back in Antigua
Curran laid the groundwork for England’s six-wicket win.
-
England
Sam Curran and Jos Buttler return to form as England level series in Antigua
Chasing 203, Will Jacks put England into the ascendancy with a sparkling 73 off 72 balls.
-
England
Sam Curran finds form as England bowl out West Indies for 202
Curran took three big scalps days after enduring a tough time in the first ODI.
-
England
Andrew Flintoff set to return to England’s backroom staff for Windies T20 series
Flintoff first linked up with the national side in an unpaid role for ODI series against New Zealand and Ireland before the World Cup.
-
Women's Cricket
Danni Wyatt stars on 150th T20I appearance as England begin India tour with win
Sophie Ecclestone returned figures of three for 15 on her comeback appearance after four months out with a shoulder injury.
-
England
Harry Brook blocks himself from ‘negativity’ by withdrawing from social media
Brook has left the running of his X and Instagram accounts to someone else.
-
Women's Cricket
Sophie Ecclestone set for England return in T20 opener in India – Heather Knight
The world’s top-ranked limited-overs bowler underwent surgery after dislocating her shoulder in August.
-
England
Rehan Ahmed rejects Sir Alastair Cook’s criticism of Jos Buttler’s captaincy
Several of Buttler’s decisions were scrutinised during a calamitous World Cup defence.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier and Danielle Gibson handed their first central contracts by ECB
England Women have once again issued 18 full-time deals.