Shahzad guides Afghanistan to emphatic win

New Delhi: Mohammad Shahzad slammed a brisk 47 helps Afghanistan beat Ireland by six wickets in first T20 at Greater Noida on Wednesday.

Opener Stuart Thompson hit 56 while Gary Wilson (41 no) and captain William Porterfield (39) added valuable runs as Ireland made 165-5 in Greater Noida.

It was not enough with Samiullah Shenwari (56) and Mohammad Shahzad (47) helping the Afghans to 171-4 with two overs to spare.

The sides meet again in the second T20 at the same venue on Friday.

Ireland suffered an early blow when opener Paul Stirling was dismissed for a duck and with just one run on the board.

Thompson and Porterfield steadied the innings before Wilson helped the Irish to a competitive total.

Shahzad and Najeeb Tarakai (27) put on an opening stand of 51 as Afghanistan cruised to their victory target.

Afghan spinner Amir Hamza (2-23) was the only bowler to take more than one wicket on a day when the bat dominated.

The loss of paceman Boyd Rankin for the T20s, because of a back problem, was another setback for the Irish on Wednesday.

Rankin is expected to return for the five ODIs against Afghanistan, starting on 15 March.

Brief scores
Ireland - 165 for 5 (Thompson 56, Wilson 41*, Hamza 2-23)
Afghanistan - 171 for 4 (Shenwari 56, Shahzad 47)
Result - Afghanistan won by six wickets

Scores	Upcoming	Results
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