Nabi's 51 guide Afghanistan to five-wicket win over Ireland

Afghanistan star player Mohammad Nabi all-round performance helped his side attain a six-wicket win over Ireland in the first T20I at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium on Thursday

An all-round performance from Afghanistan star player Mohammad Nabi guided his squad to attain a six-wicket win over Ireland in the first T20I at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

While Nabi (2/16) contributed well in the bowling department by taking two wickets and later returned to score an unbeaten fifty, rescuing Afghanistan as chasing 133 to win, they were 50 for 5 in 7.2 overs.

Nabi added an unconquered 86-run stand with Najibullah Zadran (40 not out) to take the side home, scoring 136-5 in 19.2 overs.

Earlier, Nabi (2/16) took two wickets, while Rashid Khan also returned with two wickets and Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Fareed Ahmad accounted for one each as Afghanistan restricted Ireland to 132-6 in 20 overs.

Ireland found the going tough after electing to bat with George Dockrell (34) and Stuart Poynter (31) giving the team some respectability with an unbeaten 67-run stand after they were struggling at 65-6 at one stage.

Brief Score:

Ireland: 132-6 in 20 overs (G Dockrell 34; M Nabi 2/16)

Afghanistan: 136-5 in 19.2 overs (M Nabi 51; WB Rankin 2/39).