Porterfield paves way for Irish win
Feb 01 2010 - 12:59:55
Ireland survived a mid-innings wobble to record a comfortable five-wicket Twenty20 win over Afghanistan in Sri Lanka.
Chasing a relatively modest 122 for victory, skipper William Porterfield smashed nine boundaries as he raced to 46 from just 30 balls.
Porterfield and Niall O'Brien (18) added 52 in just 6.1 overs to set Ireland well on course for a win that launches their bid to qualify for the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.
Karim Sadiq (two for 17) brought a semblance of control to the wayward attack, and having dismissed Porterfield, followed it up with the wicket of Andre Botha (five).
That sparked a nervous period for the Irish as they faltered from 91 for two to 98 for five in the space of 12 balls.
However, Gary Wilson (16 not out) and John Mooney's unbeaten eight settled the dressing room as they added 26 to achieve the win with 11 balls to spare.
Earlier, former captain Trent Johnston took four for 22 in an inspired spell, continuing his superb form of 2009.
Botha finished with three for 14, while 17-year-old left-arm spinner George Dockrell claimed two for 11.
Raees Ahmadzai (33no), skipper Nowroz Mangal (27) and Shafiqullah Shafiq (23) all got starts for Afghanistan, but no-one was able to break the shackles of a disciplined and penetrative Irish attack.