AFGHANISTAN secured a dramatic 13-run win against Ireland on the opening day of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier after a brilliant all-round display from Mohammad Nabi.
Nabi smashed an unbeaten 43 with the bat off 25 balls and then bowled a brilliant spell of 2-25 off four overs in front of a passionate Afghanistan following.
Afghanistan reached 139-8 off 20 overs, having been in trouble at 97-6, with Noor Ali (42) giving his side an excellent start. Trent Johnston was the pick of the Irish attack with an opening spell of 2-18.
In reply, William Porterfield provided Ireland with a good start with 35 off 23 balls, but when he and Andre Botha fell in the space of three balls to Karim Sadiq (3-17) it sparked a dramatic collapse.
Some good batting from Trent Johnston gave Ireland hope, but when he fell in the 19th over they were always going to struggle and they lost their final two wickets off the first two balls of the final over to spark memorable Afghanistan celebrations.