Ireland win Super over to secure first ever T20I win against Afghanistan in series dead rubber

Rashid Khan's heroics were in vain as a six by Kevin O'Brien from the last ball of the Super over gave Ireland its first win in T20Is against Afghanistan at the Greater Noida ground today.

Having won the toss, Irish skipper Andy Balbirnie opted to bat first in the series dead rubber as Afghanistan had already secured an unassailable lead of 2-0. Ireland could only manage 142/8 in the alotted overs thanks to an amazing bowling performance from debutant leggie Qais Ahmad and pacer Naveen ul Haq as both took three wickets each playing their first match of the series.

Gareth Delany top-scored witg 37 for the men in green while Harry Tector and Kevin O'Brien also chipped in with 31 and 26 runs respectively. In response, Afghan opening pair of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Usman Ghani gave a great start to the team before both lost their wickets to Delany in the 9th over of the chase.

Asghar Afghan and Karim Janat tried to stabilize the chase for Afghanistan with a 32-run stand. However, Janat's wicket triggered a collapse as Simi Singh accounted for Mohammad Nabi and in-form Najib Zadran off consecutive delieveries to bring Ireland back into the game. As the game was slipping away from Afghanistan's hand with them needing 13 from the last three balls , Rashid Khan played match-changing cameo levelling the scores and taking the match to the Super Over.

Afghanistan batted first in the super over sending Mohammad Nabi and Gurbaz in. However, the duo could not find proper timing scoring only 8 off the deciding over. Therefore, it was up for Rashid Khan again to defend 9 to hand over the victory to his team. Khan almost pulled it off taking wicket of dangerous Paul Stirling amd Ireland needing 3 off the last ball.

However, it was Kevin O'Brien who had the last laugh hitting Khan for a six to secure Ireland's first T20I win against Afghanistan in seven years.