Afghanistan sent the five-match Twenty20 series against Ireland to a decider with a 27-run triumph on Monday in a match that was decreased to 11 overs a side because of downpour.
Najibullah Zadran's 50 off 24 balls and Rashid Khan's 31 not out from 10 deliveries set the side to record an amazing 132-6. While Ireland got off to a flying start depending on openers Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie, however after the openers withdrew inside four overs, George Dockrell's unbeaten 41 was the main effort Ireland saw from a prevailing Afghanistan bowling effort. Fareed Ahmad took 3-14 with Rashid and Naveen-ul-Haq also wreaking havoc on Ireland and taking two wickets each to win the match by a significant margin. The two sides will meet for a series decider on Wednesday.