Mooney's ten gives Ireland title

John Mooney took his second five-wicket haul of the match to help Ireland to their fourth Intercontinental Cup title, beating Afghanistan by 122 runs in Dubai. Afghanistan were battling against the tide at the end of the third day, at 136 for 5 chasing 347 but a 114-run stand for the sixth wicket between Rahmat Shah and Mohammad Nabi gave them hope. Ireland struck back after lunch via Mooney who ran through the tail.

Rahmat and Nabi had come together on the third day with the score on 86 for 5 and added 50 till stumps. After a watchful first few overs on the fourth morning, Afghanistan scored their first boundary when Rahmat drove Mooney through mid-off. Rahmat survived a shout for lbw on 43 off the seamer Max Sorensen, and Nabi too got the benefit of the doubt in an lbw appeal off Kevin O'Brien. Nabi and Rahmat frustrated Ireland for an entire session as Afghanistan went into the break at 188 for 5, needing a further 159.

Ireland finally struck seven overs into the second session when Sorensen trapped Nabi lbw for 49. Five overs later, Samiullah Shenwari was bowled off a length ball by Mooney and from then on, there was no looking back for Ireland as Mooney took a wicket in each of his next three overs. He trapped Mirwais Ashraf lbw, had Dawlat Zadran edging to slip and wrapped up the game when Izatullah Dawlatzai edged to Joyce at third slip.

Mooney finished with match figures of 10 for 81, to go with his 5 for 45 in the first innings. Rahmat was stranded on 86.