Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan stood tall with an outstanding bowling performance to help his squad attain a 3-0 series sweep over Ireland after their convincing 32-run victory in the third Twenty20 international on Sunday.
Khan claimed an extraordinary figure of 5/27 to bundle up Ireland for 178 for eight in their chase of 211 in Dehradun. Not only that, it was in the 18th over when the 20-year-old became the first spinner in the format to take a hat-trick. Khan actually took four wickets in four balls to become the second after Lasith Malinga (in ODIs) to take four in four.
For Afghanistan, Mohammad Nabi demolished the Irish bowlers hitting 81 off 36 deliveries, smashing 6 fours and 7 sixes, hitting the ball to all parts of the ground.
Afghanistan managed to put 210/7 on the board after being put into bat first on a ground where they posted a T20 international record of 278/3 in the previous match. Kevin O'Brien and Andy Balbirnie, who made 47, then put on a threatening 96-run second wicket stand to raise hopes of a successful chase but Khan hit back with his leg spin. He got O'Brien caught behind for 74.
Khan got George Dockrell, Shane Getkate and Simi Singh on consecutive deliveries to shut the door on Ireland. Ireland paceman Boyd Rankin took three wickets but gave away 53 runs in his four overs.
The two teams will now play five one-day internationals starting Thursday followed by a one-off Test at the same venue, which is Afghanistan's adopted home ground.