Cricket news - Incessant rain washes off second ODI

Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi struck half-centuries as Afghanistan posted 250 for 7 in 48.3 overs before rain washed off the second ODI against Ireland in Dehradun on Saturday (March 2).

After opting to bat, Afghanistan got off to a superb start with Zazai and Javed Ahmadi scoring 90 for the opening wicket in 15.1 overs. The former did all the damage, smashing 67 off 42, before falling to Andy McBrine. Ahmadi was dismissed six balls later as Ireland made a comeback to keep things in check. Shah and Shahidi consolidated for a brief while and were involved in an 87-run stand.

With 179 on the board after 35 overs, Afghanistan were setting themselves for a late onslaught but lost wickets from there on. Shah fell for 54 off 66 to George Dockrell before McBrine had Asghar Afghan bowled for just 8. Mohammad Nabi flourished for a while and scored 24 off 20 but failed to carry on and was dismissed in the 43rd over as the hosts slipped to 226 for 5.

Dockrell successfully nullified the Gulbadin Naib threat as the onus fell on Rashid Khan to give the team a big finish. He struck a six to take the team to 250 before rain arrived to halt play. It did stop for a brief while but returned just before the inspection at 18:15 pm local time forcing the officials to call-off the game.

Brief scores: Afghanistan 250/7 in 48.3 overs (Hazratullah Zazai 67; George Dockrell 3-51) vs Ireland.