Afghanistan continued their winning streak with a 29-run victory over Ireland in their first cricket one-day international in Belfast on Monday. The spinners once again played a major role in Ireland's derailing as Rashid Khan, Mohammed Nabi and seamer Aftab Alam claimed two wickets each, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Ireland, beaten 2-0 in the T20I series, won the toss and restricted Afghanistan to 227/9.
With the help of middle-order batsman Gulbadin Naib's 64 and Hashmatullah Shahidi's 54, Afghanistan were able to cross the 200 mark.
However, in reply, the hosts slipped to 93/4 in their chase and were bowled out for 198 in 48.3 overs, with Andy Balbirnie hitting 55 runs off 82 balls.
Rashid's 2/41, Nabi's 2/42 and Alam's 2/34 saw the hosts bundle out for 198, with nine balls to spare.
Earlier, Gulbadin Naib top-scored with a 98-ball 64 for Afghanistan and shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 77 with Hashmatullah Shahidi (54 off 82).
Tim Murtagh took 4/31 and Boyd Rankin 3/44 at the Civil Service Cricket Club.
The second ODI in the three-match series is on Wednesday.
(With AP Inputs)
