Sharjah: Afghanistan’s 16-year-old off spinner Mujeeb Zadran, playing in his first One Day International match, wrecked Ireland to give his team an emphatic 138-run win in the first of the three-match series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Ireland, chasing Afghanistan’s total of 238 for 9, were bowled out for a paltry 100 runs in 31.4 overs. Mujeeb produced a spell of 4 for 24 from his ten overs. Afghanistan’s renowned leg-spinner Rashid Khan took three wickets for 28 runs exposing Ireland weakness against spin.
If not for Ireland skipper William Porterfield’s 35 and lower-order batsman Stuart Poynter’s unbeaten 27, their team would have got all out for a double digit score.
Batting first, Afghanistan’s 24-year-old Rahmat Shah and 23-year-old Nasir Jamal hit half centuries. Jamal top-scored with 53 off 63 balls with two fours and a six, while Shah scored 50 off 75 balls with three boundaries and a six.
Afghanistan’s lower order batsmen Rashid Khan hit 48 runs and wicketkeeper Shafiqullah Shafiq scored 36 runs to swell the total. Six-feet-seven inch tall William Rankin bowled well to take four wickets for 44 runs while opening bowler Timothy Murthag took three wickets for 28 runs.
None expected Ireland to produce such a poor batting performance. Afghanistan coach Raees Ahmadzai, speaking at the post match press conference, elaborated on why he gave an opportunity to Mujeeb at such a young age. “Mujeeb was picked for the national side because of what he did in the recent Under-19 tournament. He had twice bagged six wickets. We knew Sharjah has always been suitable for spinner and I had confidence in Mujeeb’s ability. The good thing is when I told him that it could be his debut, he just gave a very nice smile and I realised he had to confidence. It is good that he showed himself that he is good enough to play for the national side,” said Ahmadzai.
