Afghanistan dashed Ireland’s hopes by ending their innings by making a massive 474 just after tea on the third day’s play in their Intercontinental Cup cricket match played at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium yesterday.

The third wicket partnership of 127 runs between Shabir Noori and Mohammed Shahzad laid the foundation for Afghanistan to put up this massive score. Resuming from their overnight score of 263 for 3 with Noori and Shahzad having already added 85 runs, the pair went on to add a further 40 runs before being separated.

Afghanistan at that stage was in a strong position with the score on 325 for 4. The late order batting consolidated and frustrated the Ireland bowlers by putting on useful stands of 30s and 40s in between which helped them to accumulate this massive score.

Earlier Ireland too was in the runs making a formidable 405 which the bowlers failed to capitalize on. Afghanistan’s fight back came on the back of five half tons from Mohammed Shahzad, Shabir Noori, skipper Nowroz Mangal, Mohammed Nabi and Noor Ali. Ireland batting the second time were 39 for no loss.

Ireland 405 in 118 overs (William Potterfield 78, Niall O’Brien 66, Gary Wilson 53, Alex Cusack 39, Peter Connell 18, Kevin O’Brien 16, John Mooney 58 n.o.: Samiullah Shenwari 4 for 75, Hameed Hasan 3 for 91) and 39 for no loss (Gary Wilson 21 n.o.)

Afghanistan (263/3 o’night) 474 in 153.2 overs (Mohammed Shahzad 88, Shabir Noori 85, Nowroz Mangal 84, Mohammed Nabi 64, Noor Ali 53, Karim Sadiq 19, Samiullah Shenwari 19: Andrew White 4 for 99, Andre Botha 3 for 44) -

MSA