Ireland beat Afghanistan by three wickets to level ODI series

Ireland levelled a three-match ODI series with Afghanistan at 1-1 with victory by three wickets in Belfast last night.

The visitors chose to bat first but posted a modest total of 182 for nine as Tim Murtagh collected career-best figures of 4-30.

Propelled by a half century from Andrew Balbirnie, Ireland then reached their target of 183 with six overs to spare.

The sides will meet again on Friday to decide the series.

"We were pretty good in the field today, and if we had the same application as today with the bat in the first game then we would likely be standing here two-nil up," said Ireland captain William Porterfield.

"I'm really happy with how we went about it today, especially with the ball, and if we can bring that into Friday and get a few more partnerships then it will make things a little bit easier."