Ireland have recaptured the Intercontinental Cup from the holders Afghanistan, following their 122 run victory on the fourth day of the final in Dubai. The fourth time that Ireland have secured this particular title. Apart from Afghanistan who won the 2009-10 title, the only other country apart from Ireland to win the title were Scotland in the inaugural season in which it was contested, 2004.
The first two days of the match had been extremely tight, with both sides having periods of ascendancy, but neither country ultimately able to grab the match by the horns.
Ireland had struggled to an all out total of 187 in their first innings, but their bowlers kept them in the match by dismissing a disappointing Afghanistan for just 182 in reply.
Ireland fared better the second time around, with Niall O’Brien top scoring with 87, as they totalled 341 all out, to set their opponents a daunting 347 to defend their title. Former Ireland skipper, Trent Johnston, contributed 31 in what was his final innings for his country.
Afghanistan started the fourth day requiring a further 211 runs to win the final, with just five second innings wickets remaining.
The morning session provided them with some hope, as Rahmat Shah and Mohammad Nabi batted patiently through the 34 overs that were bowled before lunch, taking the score to 189-5, and there were hopes that they might be able to produce an unlikely victory.
However, Ireland took the new ball soon after the lunch interval, and Max Sorensen dismissed Nabi LBW for 49, and once the sixth wicket went down, with the total on 199, the rest of the batting capitulated quickly without too much resistance, as John Mooney took the last four wickets to fall, giving him figures of 5-36, leaving Afghanistan all out for 224.
Mooney was ably supported in Afghanistan’s second innings by the Somerset spinner, George Dockrell, who finished with figures of 3-59.
Mooney’s efforts throughout the match, his figures over the two innings being 10-81, were enough to see him awarded the man of the match award.