Ireland snatched a super over win against Afghanistan to avoid a T20I series whitewash as Kevin O’Brien hit a six off the last ball in the third and final game played at the Greater Noida Sports Complex round on Tuesday.
Afghanistan levelled Ireland’s 142 for eight, losing one wicket fewer, after amassing 15 from the final over, including Rashid Khan’s sliced four off Josh Little from the last delivery.
TIE. Super Over.
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland)
Rashid then had Paul Stirling lbw after Afghanistan posted eight for one from their six-ball allotment, but O’Brien had the last laugh when Ireland were left needing three from one ball and two for another super over.
O’Brien heaved the leg-spinner back over his head, just clearing Qais Ahmad at long-off, as Ireland avoided the clean sweep, with Afghanistan prevailing 2-1 in the three-match series.
YYYYEEEEESSSSS
O'Brien 6⃣
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland)
Brief scores: Ireland142/8 in 20 overs (Gare💞th Delany 37, Harry Tector 31; Naveen-ul-Haq 3-31) vs Afghanistan 142/7 in 20 overs (Rahmanullah Gurba🐭z 42, Asghar Afghan 32; Gareth Delany 2-21).
Afghanistan 9-0 (super over) vs Ireland 12-1 (super over); Ireland won by 4 runs in super over
The first time Ireland has beaten Afgha𝓡nistan in T20I cricket since 2013.
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland)