Stirling denied by umpiring howler

Irish Independent



PAUL STIRLING produced one of the finest all-round displays in the history of one-day internationals, for Ireland in Delhi, but for a second successive game the man-of-the-match finished on the losing side as Afghanistan took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series.



Stirling claimed 6-55 with his often under deployed bowling - the best figures by an Irish bowler in an ODI - and was then cruelly sawn off five short of a century at the Greater Noida ground by an lbw decision that was on the diabolical side of abominable.



Only Paul Collingwood, of England, has ever taken six wickets and scored a century in an ODI but personal glory aside, Stirling was leading the charge towards Afghanistan's total of 338 with five sixes and nine fours in his 80-ball innings when Rashid Khan's appeal was upheld.



"We're taught that the umpire is always right," Stirling said at the post-match presentation, although he appeared to have different thoughts an hour or so before as he stomped off, mouthing his grievances to the skies on his 200th appearance for Ireland.



To be generous to the umpire, Rashid's googly may just have clipped a fifth stump. The decision was as bad as the one that sent Andre Botha on his way for a duck when Ireland beat Pakistan in the World Cup exactly 10 years ago.



As Ireland made that first giant stride on to the global stage, Afghanistan were still in the foothills of their ascent, getting ready to face Jersey in Division 5 of the World League. Few would argue that after a sixth successive victory over Ireland, by 34 runs, they are now the kings of the non-Test playing sides.



The series could, and probably should, be poised at 1-1, though. Ed Joyce made a lively 55 in an opening stand of 113 with Stirling while Wednesday's centurion William Porterfield continued his good form with 45 and Stuart Thompson lashed four consecutive fours on his way to a rapid 37.



The match turned on that one decision, as Ireland again fell away from a match-winning position of 173-1 in the 27th over when the finger went up against Stirling to 304 all out - a second successive score of 300 plus in a losing cause being little consolation as leg-spinner Rashid finished with 6-43.



"There's no doubt that Rashid has been the difference between the two sides," Stirling added. "We have to put on our thinking caps and come up with a plan to deal with him better on Sunday."