IRELAND’S WEEK FINISHED as it started; with a heavy, and worrying, defeat to Afghanistan but even considering the form book, this afternoon’s mauling in the Desert T20 final came as a shock.
John Bracewell’s side had improved as the tournament developed and this morning showed real signs of progress with a comprehensive victory over Scotland to book their place in the decider.
But they were found wanting under the lights in Dubai as Ireland slumped to 71 all out to lose by 10 wickets.
Batting first, Ireland looked to continue the positivity which had reaped handsome rewards in the win over Scotland, but that was to prove their undoing.
Stuart Poynter struck the first two deliveries he faced to the boundary, but was dismissed from the third to set the tone for a nightmare batting display.
William Porterfield (9) and Paul Stirling (17) advanced the total to 32 for one before the wheels fell off the Irish innings in spectacular fashion.
Both fell to arch nemesis Mohammed Nabi, who claimed four for 14 as the Irish lost nine wickets for 39 runs.
It was their second worst T20 total behind the 68 made against West Indies in Guyana during the 2010 T20 World Cup.
Greg Thompson (10*) was the only other player to reach double figures as the Irish wilted in front of a partisan 15,000 Afghan fans.
The Afghans wasted no time in chasing down the modest target, as Mohammed Shahzad and Nowroz Mangal took just 7.5 overs to secure the most emphatic of wins.
Ireland 71 all out (13.2 overs; P Stirling 17, G Thompson 10*, Mohammed Nabi 4-10, Karim Janat 2-14, Amir Hamza 2-15, Ahmad Malik 2-20)
Afghanistan 74/0 (7.5 overs; Mohammed Shahzad 52*, Nowroz Mangal 17*)
Afghanistan beat Ireland by 10 wickets
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