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Abu Dhabi: Afghanistan spinners and Mohammad Nabi unbeaten 26 helped their side beat Ireland in a close encounter.
Ireland was restricted to 125 for 6 with Amir Hamza, Nabi and Rashid Khan – Afghanistan's spin trio – picking up two wickets each. Afghanistan had some nervous moments in its chase but crossed the line in 18.4 overs for a five-wicket win.
Ireland opted to bat but was stifled by Afghanistan's three-spin attack. As many as six Ireland batsmen got double-digit scores but none of them converted the starts, with 25 – by Paul Stirling – the best score.
Stirling and Stuart Poynter gave Ireland a steady start with a 36-run opening stand in 32 balls but Ireland couldn't switch gears after that. The experienced William Porterfield, Kevin O'Brien and Gary Wilson got starts too, but Hamza, Nabi and Rashid kept striking to restrict Ireland.
Afghanistan's chase stared on a sturdy note with Mohammad Shahzad (29 in 27) and Najeeb Tarakai (31 in 27) adding 54 for the opening wicket before Jacob Mulder, the leg-spinner, struck twice in two overs dismissing Shahzad and Asghar Stanikzai.
Ireland threatened a comeback by striking every alternate over to leave Afghanistan at 99 for 5 in the 16th over, but Nabi's presence helped calm Afghanistan.
The required run-rate was under check and the experienced allrounder guided Afghanistan through the nervous moments with an unbeaten 26 that had two sixes and a four.
Brief scores:
Ireland - 125 for 6 (Amir Hamza 2-21)
Afghanistan - 126 for 5 (Najeeb 31)
Result - Afghanistan won by five wickets
