SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates — Opener Paul Stirling cracked a brilliant half century while medium pacer Barry McCarthy took a maiden five wicket haul to guide Ireland to a 51-run win over Afghanistan in Sharjah on Thursday.
Stirling's 96-ball 82 and 62 not out by George Dockrell helped Ireland put a figthing 271-9 in their 50 overs before they bowled out Afghanistan for 220 in 45.2 overs in the second one day international.
Medium pacer Barry McCarthy finished with a career best 5-46 as only opener Javed Ahmadi could offer any resistance with a patient 67-ball 48. Afghanistan won the first match by 138 runs. The third and final match is also in Sharjah on Sunday.
The series serves as a preparation for both the teams for the Wold Cup 2019 qualifiers to be held in Zimbabwe in March next year. Chasing a big total none of the Afghanistan batsmen capitalized on good starts with Rahmat Shah (32), Mohammad Nabi (29) and Nasir Jamal (25), losing wickets after getting well set.
McCarthy, whose previous best of 4-59 also came against Afghanistan at Belfast last year, sparked a collapse, which saw Afghanistan lose their last six wickets for a mere 38 runs.
Ireland were put on the track of a solid total by Stirling who put 115 for the opening stand with skipper William Porterfield (47) — a new record against Afghanistan, beating 113 Stirling and Ed Joyce put in Noida (Delhi, India) earlier this year.
Stirling hit eight boundaries and a six. Dockrell gave the late order lift to the innings with a 48-ball 62 not out spiced with seven fours and a six.
ICC to examine India pollution Test
Medical experts are to examine whether India was right to hold a Test match against Sri Lanka during hazardous smog in New Delhi, the game's world governing body said Friday. The controversy will also be discussed at an International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting in February.
"The ICC has noted the conditions in which the Delhi Test was played and has already requested the issue is considered by the medical committee for guidance should the situation arise in future," said an ICC statement.
Sri Lankan players wore masks while fielding during the match. which ended in a draw on Wednesday. Bowlers from both sides were seen vomiting on the ground.
At its peak, concentrations of the smallest and most harmful pollution particles were at 18 times the World Health Organization's safe limit, according to the US embassy website.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has already said New Delhi could be dropped from hosting internationals during its peak pollution season in November and December.
The ICC medical committee can make recommendations to the world body's executive on "any medical issues affecting international Cricket".
It can also "evaluate" medical plans of countries hosting ICC sanctioned events.
The ICC statement said that the pollution "is likely to be discussed in February's ICC meetings". — Reuters