Ireland secured a fine three-wicket victory over Afghanistan in a low-scoring World Cup warm-up match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

After winning the toss and electing to field in the One-Day International, Ireland had Afghanistan at 81 for five at one stage before opener Javed Ahmadi (81) and Najbullah Zadran (45) put on 49 for the sixth wicket.

Afghanistan, who beat Scotland by eight wickets on Thursday in the opening match of the tri-nation series, were eventually bowled out for 180 after losing their last three wickets without scoring.

Left-arm spinner George Dockrell was the pick of the Ireland bowlers with four wickets for 35 runs from his 8.2 overs.

In response, Ireland suffered their own poor start as they were 29 for three before 51 from Ed Joyce partly steadied the ship.

After starring with the bat, Ahmadi then threatened to win the game with the ball as he took four wickets, only for Andrew Balbirnie (31) and Alex Cusack (26) to steer Ireland home with 40 balls to spare.

Afghanistan 180 (44.2 ovs) (Javed Ahmadi 81, Najibullah Zadran 45; George Dockrell 4-35, John Mooney 2-36).

Ireland 181-7 (43.2 ovs) (Ed Joyce 51, Andrew Balbirnie 31no, Kevin O'Brien 30, Niall O'Brien 22; Javed Ahmadi 4-37, Mohammed Nabi 2-39).

Ireland won by three wickets