Barry McCarthy put in a sterling performance on T20I debut as Ireland dropped to a D/L defeat to Afghanistan in the second game at Greater Noida.
The 24-year-old finished with figures of 4/33, including an opening spell of 2/8, in his first national team appearance since September.
Opening the bowling, McCarthy took the two key Afghanistan wickets to reduce them to 12/2.
Mohammad Shahzad, one of the most feared batsman in the associate nations, perished to the Durham man before captain Ashgar Stanikzai followed in the third over.
McCarthy returned for the later overs to remove Najeeb Tarakai ten short of a century while also scooping the wicket of the dangerous Mohammad Nabi.
Despite going well at one point of their run-chase, the rain disrupted Ireland’s momentum and they fell short on 93/9 in pursuit of their D/L target of 111.
The sides will play one more T20I before the ODI series begins next week.