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Ireland's Kevin O'Brien and Ed Joyce dazzle in win over Afghanistan

Kevin O'Brien hit seven fours in an 85-ball knock of 75
Image: Kevin O'Brien hit seven fours in an 85-ball knock of 75

Kevin O'Brien starred with bat and ball and Ed Joyce hit an unbeaten century as Ireland chased down 237 to beat Afghanistan by six wickets in the third one-day international between the two sides.

Ireland levelled the series at 1-1 after reaching the victory target with 15 balls to spare at Stormont, with two matches left to play at the same venue in the next five days.

O'Brien (3-28) was the pick of the Ireland bowlers, staying right on top of the Afghanistan batsmen and claiming the scalps of Rahmat Shah (16), Mohammad Nabi (40) and Hamid Hassan (6) in his 9.1 over spell.

Ed Joyce hit an unbeaten 105 from 135 balls
Image: Ed Joyce hit an unbeaten 105 from 135 balls

Barry McCarthy also chipped in with three wickets (3-57) but opener Mohammad Shahzad's knock of 81 from 95 balls steered Afghanistan to a total of 236 all out.

Afghanistan got off to the perfect start in their bid to defend a low total with Hassan dismissing opener William Porterfield (1) and debutant Sean Terry (3) in his first two overs, reducing Ireland to 12-2 early on in their reply.

O'Brien took 3-28 in a six-wicket win over Afghanistan
Image: O'Brien took 3-28 in a six-wicket win over Afghanistan

Mohammad Nabi removed Stuart Poynter as Ireland slumped to 29-3 in the ninth over but O'Brien (85 from 75 balls) and Joyce (105 not out) put on 144 for the fourth wicket.

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Despite O'Brien departing with 64 runs still required, Sussex left-hander Joyce and Paul Stirling - with 39 not out - guided Ireland home.

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