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Afghanistan Journey - Rashid Khan Race to 1000 International Wickets

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  • #16
    Quite a big series. 11th vs 12th in the rankings. We hold the ranking points at home vs Ireland so anything other than a series win would see us slip to 12th. Ali Khil and Qais Ahmad are both unfortunate to miss out, meaning a Test debut for Munir Ahmad who takes the gloves. We line up:

    Afghanistan:
    I Janat, M Shahzad, R Shah, B Shah, A Stanikzai, I Zadran, M Ahmad (k), R Khan, M Ur Rahman, N ul-Haq, Y Ahmadzai

    A spinning pitch has been prepared, and with rain set to wash out Day 2, we'd really like to bat. We won the toss and chose to bat. Ireland hand out debuts to five players.

    Day 1 was extremely painful. After Shahzad got us off to a quick start the Irish spinners - Singh and McBrine - came on and drastically slowed the scoring. After getting Janat and Shahzad in quick succession we were 112-2 but then dramatically collapsed to 201 all out. Our top 6 all reached 20, but none passed 40 which isn't good enough. Zadran was the only one in our middle order who didn't get completely bogged down, and ended on 36*, with the tail once again collapsing pathetically. The Irish spinners had combined with 6 wickets and 78 runs from 41 overs. The pitch was already turning and we had a 20 minute spell at Ireland before close of play. They survived a couple of LBW shouts to close 3-0.

    Rain was forecast all of Day 2 so we'd have to make the most of any play we could get. Unfortunately we couldn't make the most of the conditions as Ireland closed on 187-3. It was turning into a terrible match for us, and with the pitch already looking terrible, we were staring down the barrel.

    We started much better on Day 3, wrapping up the final 7 wickets for 112, Naveen (4-83) and Rashid (3-88) the pick. We were 98 runs behind with still over half the match to go, so we were still in with a slim chance of turning this around. Janat and Shahzad started well to reduce the deficit to 50 before Shahzad fell, and then the introduction of spin saw Janat fall too. Scores were level at 2 wickets down, with the two Shah's at the crease, but both fell in the evening session before a comical just before close meant we finished Day 3 177-5 and 79 runs ahead, with Stinikzai 39*. The game was finely poised, if we could push the lead above 150 we knew we'd have a chance.

    Munir fell early on Day 4 so Stanikzai decided to up the aggression. Hogging the strike from the tail he brought up a fine century in 173 balls with 16 fours and 2 sixes before falling shortly after with the lead up to 171 and the pitch now offering sharp turn. Mujeeb who had combined nicely with Stanikzai for a 57 run partnership turned aggressor and finished 26* as Ireland bowled us all out for 281 - a 183 run lead. It seemed like the openers - Stirling in particular - were going to cruise towards the target by putting on an 83 opening partnership, before the wicket of Stirling for 56 triggered a collapse of 5-28 to leave Ireland 111-5, with still 73 to win, and our spinners bowling magnificently. A counter attacking 31 from Delany took Ireland to within 30 of the target but Rashid finally got his man. Ireland needed 29 with 3 wickets remaining. Unfortunately for us McBrine came out with intent, smacking 21 off just 12 balls and Ireland had sealed victory.

    Afghanistan - 201 all out (A McBrine 4-24)
    Ireland - 299 all out (D Barr 69, A Balbirnie 52; N ul-Haq 4-83, R Khan 3-88)
    Afghanistan - 281 all out (A Stanikzai 103; S Singh 4-81, M Adair 4-88)
    Ireland - 187-7 (P Stirling 56; R Khan 4-88, M Ur Rahman 3-66)

    Ireland win by 3 wickets
    MOTM - A McBrine


    That's three test matches in a row now we have come so close but ended on the losing side. No need to hit the panic button just yet, but we need to find a way of winning these matches, especially against a weaker opposition.

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