Ireland were able to complete only half the job in their second World League game in Rotterdam yesterday after rain prevented a start to the Afghanistan innings.

But captain Trent Johnston was happy to come back this morning when they will defend an above par total of 237 for nine, topped by an international career best 77 from Andrew Poynter.

The Clontarf batsman was recalled for this tournament only because of the unavailability of the county professionals but he showed National Coach Phil Simmons what he has been missing with a innings of great maturity. He needed a little luck but after a year in the wilderness - he was not selected for the World Twenty20 in England last summer - who could deny him it.

Dropped on 15 and 60 - just two of five straightforward catches which the Afghans missed - he has the talent and tenacity to build on this innings and it augurs well for the future of Ireland’s middle order.

The 23 year old Clontarf batsman hit half a dozen fours and a six in his 109-ball innings and was only upstaged by Trent Johnston who hammered an unbeaten 42 off just 28 balls, including the two biggest sixes of the day.

The fast scoring finale was just what was needed because it was the Afghanistan bowlers who ruled for the first 30 overs. Indeed, Ireland scored just 106 in that period but after losing their top three for 27, consolidation was required.

Kevin O’Brien with a solid 44, including just five boundaries, did that job to a tee before Andrew White and Johnston teed off to leave the bowlers reeling. White, on his 30th birthday, also enjoyed the present of a dropped catch to score 31 off 35 but the most expensive of the chances was probably the one off Johnston, when the captain was on just 18.

Late order runs by Johnston, especially in the one-day arena, have been something of a rarity - his unbeaten 42 from 28 balls was his best score since a unbeaten half century against Hampshire at The Rose Bowl three years ago - but it was his impetus that saw Ireland charge to the finish line with 78 off the last 10 overs including 41 off their batting powerplay and make up for the disappointing start.

Paul Stirling, Ireland’s man of the match - although he didn’t get the award - with 87 in Thursday’s opening win against Kenya, charged down the pitch and was bowled in the fourth over, Alex Cusack, dropped before he had scored, struggled for 17 balls and was then caught off the leading edge and James Hall was caught behind off the impressive left arm pace man Shahpoor.

Ireland went into the game with an unchanged team but only time will tell whether it was right to go in with Nigel Jones, as an extra medium pacer, in preference to Albert van der Merwe, The Hills’ off spinner who is still waiting to make his ODI debut.

An Ireland victory today will set up a top of the table clash tomorrow against Scotland, the only team to have won two matches so far, and Johnston’s side will then be confident of overcoming Canada on Wednesday and the Netherlands two days later.

They are still very much the holders of the World Cricket League and a second win, in six matches, against Afghanistan is much overdue.