Afghanistan smash record T20 score of 278 against Ireland

Afghanistan hit a record T20I score of 278-3 to beat Ireland by 84 runs as Hazratullah Zazai blasted 162 not out off 62 balls.

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Hazratullah smoked 11 fours and 16 sixes in his innings as he shared the highest stand for any wicket in a 20-over match with opening partner Usman Ghani (73 off 48 balls), the pair putting on 236.

Mohammad Nabi then struck back-to-back sixes in the final over to take Afghanistan past Australia's previous record total of 263-3, set against Sri Lanka in September 2016.

Hazratullah, who hit the most sixes in an individual T20I innings and joint third-highest individual T20I score, was dropped by George Dockrell at deep point on 72 and went on to complete his maiden century for Afghanistan off just 42 balls.

Just 16 balls later, the 20-year-old cruised to his 150 leaving his side needing three runs off the final over to surpass the Australia's score.

Asghar Afghan's team had been 122-0 at the half way stage of their innings but Ireland's bowlers were unable to contain the batsmen - with seven of their eight bowlers finishing with economy rates of over 12.

Nabi chipped in with 17 off five balls before Hazratullah thumped the final ball for four to finish the innings with a flourish.

Ireland began their chase full of confidence as Paul Stirling (91 off 50 balls) reached his half-century off 27 balls, with eight fours and a six - dominating his opening partnership with Kevin O'Brien (37).

With the visitors having reached 109-0 and looking to kick on, O'Brien steered a full toss to deep cover off Fareed Ahmad before Rashid Khan bowled Andy Balbirnie.

Fellow spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman then took the vital wicket of Stirling as he swept him straight to deep backward square leg to go for to depart for his highest T20I score.

Rashid then struck twice in the 16th over, finishing with match figures of 4-25 from his four overs, as Ireland were restricted to 194-6.