Desert T20 All-round Nabi stars as Afghanistan beat Ireland

Desert T20 All-round Nabi stars as Afghanistan beat Ireland

Mohammad Nabi starred with both bat and ball, taking two for 27 in his four overs and then scoring an unbeaten 17-ball 26 as Afghanistan underlined their status as pre-tournament favourites with a convincing five-wicket win over Ireland.

Opting to bat first, Ireland got themselves off to a decent start thanks to their openers Paul Stirling and Stuart Poynter. The pair added 36 at a decent pace, but Nabi's introduction into the attack turned things around.

The experienced allrounder had Poynter out bowled off his second delivery to set things in motion for Afghanistan. Amir Hamza, the left-arm spinner, then accounted for Stirling to leave Ireland in a spot of bother.

The spinners continued to trouble Ireland, with Rashid Khan, the leggie, getting rid of the dangerous Kevin O'Brien for 12, while Nabi struck again to have Greg Thompson out to leave Ireland struggling at 100/5.

Ireland could only make 25 in the final last four overs, to end with a sub-par 125/6.

A good start is a job well done, they say, and Afghanistan made sure of just that, with Mohammad Shahzad and Najeeb Tarakai sharing a 54-run stand for the first wicket. The loss of Shahzad, Asghar Stanikzai and Tarakai in quick succession threatened to derail Afghanistan's innings, but once again the experience and skill of Nabi shone through.

Coming in at 77/3, the 32-year-old went on the offensive - slamming two sixes and a four to close the contest out. He remained not out on 26 as Afghanistan romped home by five wickets and eight balls to spare.