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The first One Day International (ODI) of the Afghanistan versus Ireland series held in the UAE 2024, saw a brilliant performance from Afghanistan as they ended up winning the contest by 35 runs and taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz blows away Ireland with a stunning ton
Afghanistan’s innings started with a solid performance from their opening batter. Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a remarkable innings and smashed a tremendous hundred. Gurbaz smashed 121 runs off 117 deliveries, including 8 fours and 6 sixes. He was well-supported by Ibrahim Zadran, who contributed 60 runs off 93 balls.
The middle-order batter also made significant contributions, with Hashmatullah Shahidi scoring 50 runs off 33 balls and Mohammad Nabi adding 40 runs off 27 deliveries. Afghanistan posted a challenging total of 310/5 in their allotted 50 overs.
Harry Tector’s century in vain
In response, Ireland faced a daunting task chasing the target set by Afghanistan. Their innings began with early setbacks as Andy Balbirnie and Paul Stirling were dismissed cheaply. However, Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker displayed commendable batting performances.
Tector anchored the innings with a magnificent knock of 138 runs off 147 balls, while Tucker scored a brilliant 85 runs off 76 deliveries. Despite their efforts, Ireland fell short of the target, managing to score 275/8 in their 50 overs.
Fazalhaq Farooqi shines with the ball
Afghanistan’s bowlers put up a disciplined effort to defend their total. Fazalhaq Farooqi was the standout performer with the ball, claiming 4 wickets while conceding 51 runs in his 10 overs. Azmatullah Omarzai and Noor Ahmad also contributed with 2 and 1 wickets respectively.
In the end, Afghanistan emerged victorious by 35 runs, showcasing a strong all-round performance. Gurbaz was named the Player of the Match for his exceptional century, which played a crucial role in Afghanistan’s triumph.
Also READ: Afghanistan vs Ireland 2024, ODI series: Date, Match Time, Squads, Broadcast and Live Streaming details
Here is how Twitter reacted:
ګرانو هیوادوالو لومړۍ بریا مو مبارک شه
او زه خپله ننی سلیزه او د لوبې غوره جایزه نورعلي ځدران ته ډالی کوم
ښاغلی ځدران د افغانستان کرکټ په تاریخ کې ډیری ویاړونه او افتخارات او لاسته راوړنې لري
او نن یې د کرکټ نړۍ سره مخه ښه وکړه
اتله ستا د راتلونکي ښه ژوند په… pic.twitter.com/7BFpZI1Psy— Rahmanullah Gurbaz (@RGurbaz_21) March 7, 2024
𝐑𝐔𝐍𝐒: 𝟏𝟐𝟏
𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐒: 𝟏𝟏𝟕
𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒: 𝟖
𝐒𝐈𝐗𝐄𝐒: 𝟔
𝐒.𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐄: 𝟏𝟎𝟑.𝟒𝟏That's @RGurbaz_21 for you, our Player of the Match in the first ODI! 👏#AfghanAtalan | #AFGvIRE2024 pic.twitter.com/wLx7nPvmRj
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) March 7, 2024
Rahmamullah Gurbaz:s 6th ODI ton set up Afghanistan's 35-run win in the first ODI#AFGvIRE
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) March 7, 2024
Gurbaz 💯
Tector 💯Love to see youngsters stepping up for their respective teams ✨
— 𝐆𝐥𝐞𝐧 (@SquareDrive_) March 7, 2024
A convincing victory for Afghanistan: https://t.co/0U919hEYSK#cricket #AFGvIRE #ODI #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/11aTHQsUol
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) March 8, 2024
Rahmanullah Gurbaz's century proved the difference as Afghanistan defeated Ireland in the first ODI in Sharjah 💥
Scorecard: https://t.co/9dXEyMVPDL pic.twitter.com/rwe9lWeZjX
— ICC (@ICC) March 7, 2024
Congratulations #Gurbaz❤👏✌ https://t.co/k530PqGqsp
— Gharsanai wardak غرڅنۍ (@GharsanaiW) March 8, 2024
Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored his 6th ODI hundred.#AFGvIRE #AFGvsIRE pic.twitter.com/rz2qZD3Lq5
— Abdullah Neaz (@Neaz__Abdullah) March 8, 2024
#Afghanistan beats #Ireland in 1st ODI match despitethe fighting innings of 138 runs from Tector. Gurbaz played wonderful innings of 121 runs, and farooqi got 4 wickets for #Afghane. Congratulations, @ACBofficials better luck next time @irelandcricket #AFGvIRE…
— AmricyLahoreya (@AmricyLahoreya) March 7, 2024
congratulations @RGurbaz_21 for💯👏🙌
𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐎𝐃𝐈 𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐔𝐑𝐁𝐀𝐙!!! 💯💯👏🙌
Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been on top form in Sharjah as he brings up an excellent hundred against Ireland.#AfghanAtalan | #AFGvIRE2024 pic.twitter.com/Y5GuuNz7rm— Suliman Pashtoon10 (@PashtoonSu34084) March 7, 2024
6000 Career Runs for @harry_tector @cricketireland
— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) March 8, 2024
After spending 2 innings at mere 49s, Harry Tector's average is back above 50 again #AFGvIRE
— Chathura Kumarasinghe (@chathudk) March 8, 2024