Rashid Khan with his tremendous bowling performance help Afghanistan clinch t20 series against Ireland in Rajiv Gandhi international cricket stadium, Dehradun thus completing a 3-0 series whitewashes.
Chasing 211 to win, Ireland was bowled out at 178-8 in responsive with the aggressive performance of Kevin O’Brien coming close to the target but was failed to achieve the target line. Rashid’s phenomenal bowling performance help them achieve a comprehensive win.
Ireland was dealt an early blow with his captain Paul sterling getting bowled in the third over by Ziaur Rahman, but O’Brien and Andy Balbirnie combined to put an effective partnership of 96 run stands for the second wicket. They fought hard to achieve this mammoth target of 211.
Together batted for 11 overs and fight hard for the target and they found boundaries on a regular basis.
Rahman bowled Andy Balbirnie and then a terrific effort in the field at backward point saw him get rid of Thompson with a direct super hit.
Then comes the mystery bowler Rashid Khan that overturn the whole scenario of the match by picking up crucial wickets in his spell.
Rashid soon got rid of O’Brien in the 16th over by his decent effort in the batting. And then soon he got a hat-trick in the 18th over, sending back George Dockrell, Shane Getkate and Simi Singh back to the dugout an end to any slim chances Ireland had a consolation win.
The 20 years old completed his fifer by cleaning up Joshua Little stumps in the final over.
Earlier in the match when Ireland won the toss, Afghanistan batted in the first innings. They fiercely batted for their 20 overs.
Hazratullah Zazai – whose knock of 162 on Saturday was a key factor to reach that total. Zazai also contributed very well with the bat, played phenomenal shots all around the park.
Afghanistan played brilliantly in this match to seal the Series. Rashid Khan set the record by taking a hat-trick in the t20 internationals. He was the second person to do it, after Lasith Malinga.
