IRELAND PUSHED AFGHANISTAN closer to defeat in the ICC Intercontinental Cup final today with the European side needing just five more wickets to regain the trophy.

At stumps on the third day of the five-day final, defending champions Afghanistan, chasing 347 runs for victory, were 136 for five.

Rahmat Shah (33) and captain Mohammad Nabi (25) will resume Afghanistan’s second innings on Friday with their side requiring another 211 runs to retain the title.

Left-arm spinner George Dockrell picked up three wickets conceding 26 runs, while Trent Johnston and John Mooney bagged a wicket apiece. Earlier, Ireland had resumed their second innings at 159 for two and were eventually bowled out for 341, half-an-hour before tea.

Niall O’Brien finished as the top scorer with 87 while Ed Joyce added four more runs to his overnight score of 74.

Scores in brief:

Ireland 187 and 341 (N. O’Brien 87, E. Joyce 78; Mohammad Nabi 4-39) v Afghanistan 182 and 136-5

- © AFP, 2013

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