Cricket: Ireland thrash Afghanistan in final

DUBAI: Ireland defeated Afghanistan by five wickets in the final of the World Twenty20 qualifying tournament in a battle between two sides who had already booked their places for the show in Sri Lanka. Afghanistan were restricted to 152 for seven off their 20 overs before the Irish reached their target with seven balls to spare. Paul Stirling hit a 38-ball 79, including nine fours and three sixes, in the process scoring the second-fastest half-century in T20 history. Ireland will now be placed in the same pool as Australia and the West Indies in the finals, while Afghanistan will face England and India. Ireland’s William Porterfield said he was delighted with the victory. “It’s a long way to go now,” said Porterfield. “We’re obviously looking forward to it, playing against Australia and the West Indies is going to be a tough task.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 26^th, 2012.