Rahmanullah Gurbaz scores debut hundred as Afghanistan defeat Ireland in 1st ODI

The Irish cricket team suffered a 16-run defeat against Afghanistan in the first ODI of the three-match series in UAE. Young debutant Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashed a brilliant hundred for the Asian side in Abu Dhabi. With the win, Afghanistan now has 10 World Cup Super League points with two games left to play against Ireland. Ireland also has 10 points after playing four games. They defeated England in their previous fixture.

After winning the toss, Afghanistan got a solid start as their opening batsman Gurbaz made his first 50 from in 38 balls. He also had a great opening partnership of 120 runs with Javed Ahmadi.

The 19-year-old has become the first Afghanistan player to score a century in his first one day international. The youngster smashed nine sixes and eight fours. Rahmanullah Gurbaz's brilliant knock is now the 2nd highest individual score by any player on an ODI debut. The highest registered was by Desmond Haynes who made 148 against Australia in 1978. Rashid Khan also smashed a 30-ball 55. Afghanistan set up a massive total of 287-9, despite Andy McBrine scalping five wickets.

McBrine becomes the 8th Irish bowler to claim 50 ODI wickets

McBrine ended a 120-run opening partnership between Gurbaz and Javed Ahmadi in the 22nd over. With this, the 27-year-old Irish cricketer became the eighth bowler to claim 50 ODI wickets for the side. Rashid's five sixes helped Afghanistan end the innings on a positive note. The team added 66 runs from the last five overs.

In the second half, Ireland's wicket-keeper batsman Lorcan Tucker scored a career-best 83 in response. Curtis Campher was the second highest run-scorer for the side as he hit 39 runs. Ireland could not chase the target and finished the match on 271-9. Ireland's top-order batsmen comprising Curtis Campher, Paul Stirling and Harry Tector were dismissed in a well-set chase. Campher and Tucker formed a partnership of 86 runs for the fifth wicket, but then Campher was dismissed by Mujeeb Ur Rahman. With his dismissal, Ireland was reduced to 174-5 and could not bounce back in the match. In the next games, the Irish side will be focusing on levelling the series to earn World Cup Super League points. Both the teams will lock horns again on Sunday at the same venue.

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