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Joyce hits career-best as Ireland level series against Afghanistan

There was no stopping Ed Joyce as he cracked 19 fours and three sixes
There was no stopping Ed Joyce as he cracked 19 fours and three sixes

Ireland's Ed Joyce exacted revenge on Afghanistan by hitting a career-best 160 not out to square the one-day international series 2-2 at Stormont.

Joyce was controversially run out in the previous match after Mohammad Nabi falsely claimed he had prevented a boundary - actions which earned a reprimand from the International Cricket Council for being "contrary to the spirit of cricket".

But there was no stopping the 37-year-old Sussex batsman as he cracked 19 fours and three sixes to tee up a 12-run win.

He shared two significant stands - 134 in 176 balls with Gary Wilson, who showed a welcome return to form with a fine 58, and 71 in just 43 balls with Stuart Poynter.

Poynter's share was just 12 as Joyce abandoned his usual effortless grace for a more bludgeoning approach which saw 80 runs come from the final eight overs.

That saw Ireland post 265 for 5 - the highest score of the series.

Barry McCarthy and Peter Chase took two wickets apiece as the Afghan run chase stalled, but despite the required run rate passing double figures, the visitirs were always in contention as Najibullah Zadran (54) and Rashid Khan (40) were at the crease.

However, having added 93, the pair were dismissed in quick succession as 212 for 6 became 212 for 9. Paul Stirling had Khan well caught by Kevin O'Brien , who then dismissed Mirwais and Najibullah in successive deliveries.

O'Brien - playing in his 100th ODI - finished with 3 for 59, to claim 10 wickets in the series.

Dalwat Zadran struck a few lusty blows in an unbeaten 31 as Afghanistan finished on 253 for 9.

Ed Joyce won Player of the Series for his 339 runs at an average of 169.50, pipping Rashid Khan and Kevin O'Brien.

Ireland are next in action on 18 and 20 August when they take on Pakistan at Malahide.

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