Afghanistan fight back in Ireland T20 series

BELFAST: Afghanistan defeated Ireland by 22 runs in the third T20 international in Belfast on Friday as they reduced the hosts’ lead to 2-1 in a five-match series.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz top-scored in Afghanistan’s 189-5 after the tourists lost the toss, with the opener’s innings well supported by Najibullah Zadran, whose 42 off just 18 balls featured five sixes.

Ireland, looking to take an unassailable 3-0 lead, then slumped to 85-7 in reply before the experienced George Dockrell and debutant Fionn Hand led an Ireland recovery.

The eighth-wicket duo put on 74 in just over six overs against a seasoned Afghanistan attack including established T20 internationals, Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Hand made a fine 36 off only 18 balls before he was caught attempting to scoop Naveen-ul-Haq.

Dockrell finished unbeaten on 58 off 37 balls, including six fours and two sixes, but Ireland still came up short as they ended the match on 167-9.

The series continues at Stormont on Monday.

Summarised scores:

Afghanistan 189-5 in 20 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 53, Najibullah Zadran 42; J. Little 2-29); IRELAND 167-9 in 20 overs (G. Dockrell 58 not out, F. Hand 36; Naveen-ul-Haq 3-38, Fazalhaq Farooqi 2-11, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 2-28).—AFP

Lille fight back for deserved point at Nantes

PARIS: Lille battled for a well-earned point at Nantes as substitute Ismaily equalised late on to secure a 1-1 draw in Ligue 1 on Friday.

The Brazilian fullback played a series of intricate passes before slotting home in the 76th minute as Lille came back after Moses Simon put the hosts ahead just before the half hour mark in sweltering conditions.

Nigeria international Simon scored from a corner but Nantes had to endure a second half on the backfoot as Lille squandered several good chances and also forced some key saves before equalising.

It was a second draw of the new campaign for French Cup winners Nantes, while Lille opened their campaign last weekend with a 4-1 home victory over promoted Auxerre.—Reuters

Dortmund stage late comeback to win at Freiburg

BERLIN: Borussia Dortmund scored three times in 11 minutes late in the second half through three substitutes to come from a goal down and beat hosts Freiburg 3-1 in the Bundesliga on Friday.

England youth international Jamie Bynoe-Gittens grabbed a 77th minute equaliser after a goalkeeping error before weaving past three players to help Youssoufa Moukoko bag another in the 84th. Marius Wolf sealed the win in the 88th. Michael Gregoritsch put Freiburg in front after 35 minutes.

It was Dortmund’s second win in their two matches in the league while the loss continues a poor run of home form for Freiburg, who have now conceded 16 goals in their last six games at Europa Park Stadium.—Agencies

Osasuna stun Sevilla in La Liga opener

MADRID: Osasuna stunned Champions League qualifiers Sevilla 2-1 in the opening match of the new Liga season on Friday.

Argentine striker Ezequiel ‘Chimy’ Avila gave Osasuna a ninth-minute lead. However, the advantage lasted just two minutes before Rafa Mir made the most of a fine pass from another Argentine, Papu Gomez to equalise.

Sevilla finished last season in fourth spot in La Liga, 27 points ahead of Osasuna in 10th. But the underdogs were not overawed and grabbed a 74th-minute winner from the penalty spot courtesy of Aimar Oroz.—AFP

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2022