AFG beat IRE by 5 wickets | Ireland vs Afghanistan, Highlights And Cricket Score 1st ODI Match - Commentary

The target is pretty paltry but there are spin and variable bounce on this surface. If Ireland manage to pick a few early wickets then you never know, it can be a close game. Do join us in a short while for the run chase.

A word of praise for Paul Stirling. He curbed his natural gameplay and showed plenty of resolve in his knock. He consumed 150 balls for his 89 but that's understandable given the circumstances. Afghanistan were brilliant with the ball. Mujeeb and Dawlat hunted down six wickets together while the other bowlers with the exception of Nabi were also quite tidy.

Outstanding bowling effort by Afghanistan! Right from the beginning, their bowlers were right on the money. Mujeeb Ur Rahman was the destroyer-in-chief up front as he ran through the Irish top order in a jiffy. Ireland never really recovered after the early blows. They kept on losing wickets at regular intervals with only Paul Stirling showing the patience to fight it out. In Dockrell, Paul finally got a partner to trust and together the pair raised a 76-run stand to help Ireland get to a total that looked impossible at one stage.

Gulbadin Naib to Paul Stirling. OUT! A brain fade moment to end what has been a marathon innings from Stirling. A fuller one on the middle stump line, Paul looked to get inside the line and hit it over short fine leg but he was too far across and could not have reached the ball. He has to watch sheepishly as the ball goes on to hit the stumps. It has been a good knock from him, in fact he was the only one who stayed long enough. Will be disappointed that he did not carry his bat through but if not for him, the Irish could have ended up with a far more sorry total. To put it into perspective, he has batted 25 overs on his own.

Gulbadin Naib to Paul Stirling. Wide! This time it is a wide. The slower ball goes way outside off and the batsman leaves it alone. Given wide by the umpire.

Gulbadin Naib to Paul Stirling. Slower ball outside off, Stirling lets it go because he thinks that the ball was outside the tramline on the off side. It was but the umpire does not signal it wide as the batsman was too close to the delivery. Paul is not impressed though and has a word with the umpire.

Gulbadin Naib to bowl the last over.

Dawlat Zadran to Boyd Rankin. Kept out off the back foot by the tailender. Stirling will face the last over.

Dawlat Zadran to Boyd Rankin. What happened there? That is how number 11s bat. A short of a length ball from around the wicket, aimed at Rankin's ribs. Boyd takes his eyes off the ball and defends it somehow.

Dawlat Zadran to Boyd Rankin. FOUR! Now Rankin gets into the act. That is the 3rd boundary of the over. A length ball from around the wicket and Boyd swings hard at the ball. He gets it off the inside half and the ball flies over square leg for a boundary.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. A fuller one outside off, Stirling mistimes it wide of extra cover for a single.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. FOUR! Innovation at its best. Two fours off two balls. A fuller length ball on middle and Paul gets inside the line before scooping the ball over the head of short fine leg. The ball lands just short of the rope.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. FOUR! Attacked! A length ball on the off stump line, Stirling comes down the track and smashes it over the head of mid off for a boundary. That brings up the 150 for the Irish.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Flatter one outside off, pushed away to deep cover for a single. Stirling keeps strike. Rashid Khan ends his bowling with figures of 10-0-30-1.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. A front foot solid defense on the 2nd last ball of the 48th over.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Left alone outside off.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. A quicker one on middle, bounces a lot more. Stirling misses his glance and gets hit on the thigh pad. The ball lobs towards the leg side.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Defended back towards Rashid once more coming on the front foot.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. A flatter one on middle, Stirling defends the ball back towards the bowler.

Boyd Rankin is the number 11 batsman.

Dawlat Zadran to Tim Murtagh. OUT! Another one trapped in front of the wickets. Zadran switches to 'round the wicket and angles in a good length ball from around off. Murtagh is caught napping on the back foot as he tries to defend. Fails to keep it out and is hit on the back leg. Once again the umpire raises his finger to rule the batsman out lbw. End of a brilliant over by Zadran, two wickets and a wicket from it.

Dawlat Zadran to Tim Murtagh. A cracking yorker to greet the new batsman. Murtagh does well to dig it out on the off side.

Tim Murtagh walks in at number 10.

Dawlat Zadran to Barry McCarthy. OUT! Plumb in front! What an outstanding delivery by Dawlat Zadran. He spears in a full inswinging delivery on off and McCarthy falls over a bit in his stance while attempting to play the flick shot. Misses the ball completely. It hits him on the pads and the finger goes up once the appeal is made. No doubt about this one. Ireland need Stirling back on strike somehow.

Dawlat Zadran to Barry McCarthy. Beaten! Back of a length delivery outside off, McCarthy tries to use the pace and run it down to third man but gets beaten.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Slower one, on a length around off, Paul taps it down in the gap at covers and crosses.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Good stop, Zadran. Full and angling on middle, it's driven back to the bowler who makes a fine stop by going down.

Dawlat Zadran is back on.

Rashid Khan to Barry McCarthy. Loud appeal, turned down! There was a sound there but it looks like the bat has hit the ground. A flatter and quicker one outside off, McCarthy was looking to drive but is beaten on the outside. The ball goes past the outside edge and there is a slight noise. Shahzad collects the ball and goes up in appeal. The umpire says not out and stays with his decision. He even signals that the bat hit the ground and the noise was due to that. The replays suggest the same as well.

Rashid Khan to Barry McCarthy. Kept out watchfully by McCarthy on the front foot.

Barry McCarthy walks in next.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. OUT! Bowled 'em! Rashid has a wicket at last. This one has skidded on and kept a tad low as well. A flatter and quicker one on middle and leg, hurries through after landing. Dockrell looks to pull it away for a maximum off the back foot but the ball evades the bat and goes on to disturb the stumps. Rashid has a stare at the batsman who departs after playing a decent knock of 37. That brings the end of the 76-run stand as well.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Flatter one on middle, Stirling drives it along the ground towards long on for a run.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. A single down to long on follows the boundary. Stirling comes back on strike.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. FOUR! Good batting! A flatter one on middle and turns into the right-hander. Dockrell reads the wrong 'un and gets on his knee before slogging it wide of deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Another dot to end the 13-run over. Stirling pushes this flatter one towards cover. Nabi ends with figures of 10-0-52-1.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Paul has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. SIX! Make that 13 off 4. Really short ball on middle and Stirling has all the time in the world to get into position and pull it away over deep mid-wicket for a huge one.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Full toss on middle, Dockrell gets under it and times it towards long off for a single. 7 runs off the first 3 balls of this over.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Pulled away to deep mid-wicket region for a couple of runs.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. FOUR! A flighted ball on middle, Dockrell comes down the track and hits it over the bowler's head. The batsmen pick up a couple as the long on fielder does well to stop the ball inside the rope. Good control on his feet. But unfortunately, in the end Naib touches the rope as he gets up to throw the ball. The replays confirm the same and 4 runs are signalled by the umpire.

Mohammad Nabi is back into the attack.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Left alone! A left alone in the 44th over of an ODI. Flatter one outside off, Stirling lets the ball go and holds his pose.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. A shorter one on middle, Dockrell pulls it away to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Slower through the air outside off, Paul turns it away towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Full toss on middle, Stirling places it in the gap between long on and mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. This quicker one outside off is defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. A flatter ball outside off, pushed towards the backward point fielder by PS.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Wide outside off, guided down to third man for a single. Stirling keeps strike.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. A yorker on middle, Stirling keeps it out by bringing his bat down in time.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Bowled fuller outside off, Paul looks to go big over long off but the bat turns in his hands as he hits the ball. The ball goes in the air over extra cover.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Short of a length, Stirling looks to pull it away but mistimes the shot towards mid-wicket.

Dawlat Zadran to George Dockrell. Short of a length outside off, George cuts it away wide to deep point for a single. That brings up the 50-run stand between these two. It is the first of the innings and a much-needed one.

Dawlat Zadran to George Dockrell. Slower one wide outside off, Dockrell stretches and tries to reach the ball but fails to put bat on ball.

Dawlat Zadran is back on.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Shout for a caught behind, only from the keeper though. Flat and short outside off, Stirling tries to cut but misses. Shahzad collects the ball and tosses it up as he appeals. Nothing from the umpire.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. A googly, on the shorter side around middle, Dockrell moves back and turns it behind square leg for a single.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Fires this one in, hitting the blockhole, Dockrell digs it out back to the bowler.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. FOUR! Fine shot and a poor piece of fielding in the deep! Loopy and full ball around off, Dockrell goes down and slog sweeps it over mid-wicket. The long on fielder rushes across to his right, gets to the ball as well but is a bit lazy in going down and flick it out. It crosses the rope in a jiffy.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Gets forward to a full ball and eases his drive down to long off for a run.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Slapped away to deep extra cover for a single. Stirling keeps strike.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. SIX! That is huge! Calculated risk taken from Stirling. He has stood out like a revelation in this innings so far. A flighted ball outside off, Paul comes charging and converts it into a half-volley as he deposits it deep into the stands at long on.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Worked off the pads to deep square leg for a run.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Short outside off, George punches it wide of extra cover for a couple of runs to wide long off.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Loud appeal for LBW but the umpire is unmoved. Looked like it was bat first. A shorter one outside off and turning in sharply. Dockrell rocks back and gets his bat down in time to defend the ball. It goes onto the pads. The umpire has spotted the willow and hence will not be fooled.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Slower one outside off, Dockrell comes ahead and dead-bats this ball.

Powerplay 3 begins. Afghanistan can now have five players outside the circle. Mohammad Nabi to continue...

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Kept out watchfully towards the point region. That is the end of the 40th over, and Powerplay 2. How much can the Irish add in the final 10?

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Slower through the air this time, and it turns the other way. Stirling waits in the crease and defends the ball.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Very full and quick outside off, Dockrell reaches out and hits it hard to deep cover for a run.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. A good front foot defense from Dockrell to this flatter one outside off.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Flatter one outside off, Stirling looks to drive but the ball takes the outside half and goes uppishly wide of cover for a run.

Rashid Khan is back into the attack.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Dockrell shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Flatter on off, defended to the off side.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. 100 IS UP! Stirling pushes it back to the bowler who misfields and allows a run.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Works it with the spin to the leg side, finds mid-wicket.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Short this time, outside off, cut to deep cover for a run.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. SIX! Dockrell takes maximum advantage of the Free Hit! Too full and outside off, George latches onto it and muscles it over extra cover for a biggie.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Flighted one, full and on middle, George defends it off his front foot to mid-wicket. It's called a no ball because Afghanistan had a fielder less inside the ring. Free Hit coming up...

Mohammad Nabi is back on.

Gulbadin Naib to George Dockrell. Slower one, full and on the pads, it's tucked in front of square leg for a run.

Gulbadin Naib to Paul Stirling. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total.

Gulbadin Naib to Paul Stirling. Stirling is itching to dominate the bowler it seems. Walks down the track looking for a big shot across the line but it beats the inside half of his bat.

Gulbadin Naib to Paul Stirling. Shout for an lbw! Another slower one, on a length and cutting back in this time, Stirling walks across to work it around but misses. It hits him on the pads, they appeal but the impact is the issue there.

Gulbadin Naib to Paul Stirling. Miscommunication, no harm done. A length ball outside off, a leg cutter, Stirling taps it down towards backward point and looks for a run. He comes down the track but his partner sends him back quickly.

Gulbadin Naib to George Dockrell. Picks a shortish ball from around off and pulls it to deep square leg for a run.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Loopy and outside off, landing full, Stirling gets forward to play for the spin but it goes straight on to beat the outside edge.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to George Dockrell. Skidding down the leg side, flicked behind square leg for one.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to George Dockrell. Beaten! Goes on the back foot to defend but it skids on after landing and beats the outside edge.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to George Dockrell. Strides forward to a full ball and hits it back to the bowler.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Leans forward to a full ball and pushes it gently to covers for a quick run.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman (9-3-12-3) is back on.

Drinks break! The 'hosts' Afghanistan are surely on top here. Their bowling has been tight, relentless. Stirling has managed to stay out there and get to a half-ton but no one has given him support. His team is in tatters at the moment and will need something special from here to get to a respectable total.

Gulbadin Naib to George Dockrell. A slower one outside off by Naib, George defends the ball towards the bowler. End of a 1-run over. The visitors are going nowhere at this rate.

Gulbadin Naib to George Dockrell. A length ball on middle, defended off the back foot by Dockrell.

Gulbadin Naib to George Dockrell. Slower one on middle, George looks to pat it on the on side and get to the other end but the ball goes straight towards mid-wicket. The Irish batsmen decide smartly that they will not take the run.

Gulbadin Naib to George Dockrell. Slower one outside off, pushed back towards the bowler on the front foot. Dockrell needs to give the strike back to Stirling here.

Gulbadin Naib to George Dockrell. Shortens the length a bit and Dockrell is inside the crease and defends the ball back towards the bowler.

Gulbadin Naib to Paul Stirling. A length ball outside off, Stirling gets an outside edge and the ball rolls towards third man for a run.

Gulbadin Naib to have another go.

Rahmat Shah to Paul Stirling. In the air but safe! A flighted ball outside off and Stirling reaches out to drive that ball. He gets it off the thick outside edge and it goes uppishly wide of point for a single. Stirling keeps strike.

Rahmat Shah to Paul Stirling. Paul has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Rahmat Shah to Paul Stirling. FOUR! That brings up the fifty for Stirling! This is his 17th fifty in ODIs and has come at a very important time for his team. A short ball outside off, cut away wide of deep point for a boundary. He is keeping his team afloat somehow. That boundary is also the first one after almost 10 overs.

Rahmat Shah to Paul Stirling. Lots of loop on that one, Paul pushes the ball back to the bowler.

Rahmat Shah to Paul Stirling. Flatter one outside off, pushed towards extra-cover.

Rahmat Shah to Paul Stirling. A fuller and flighted ball outside off, Stirling drives it away to the left of deep cover and picks up a couple of runs.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to George Dockrell. A good defense on the front foot by George to end a 1-run over.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Really full on the middle stump, Stirling gets to the other end as he pushes this down the ground to long on and take a single.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Flighted and really full on the pads, Stirling flicks it but finds the mid-wicket fielder.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Kept out towards the cover fielder by Paul on the front foot.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Almost the same delivery as the last one, played back similarly.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Slower through the air and bowled on the off stump line. Stirling defends it back to the bowler.

Rahmat Shah to Paul Stirling. Flatter and shorter on off, punched from the back foot to deep cover for one.

Rahmat Shah to George Dockrell. Slow spin away from the batsman, on the shorter side, George goes back and slaps it through point for a single.

Rahmat Shah to George Dockrell. Presses forward to a full ball and drives it to short cover.

Rahmat Shah to George Dockrell. Dockrell has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Rahmat Shah to George Dockrell. Uppish but safe! Tossed up again, full and on off, Dockrell is forward to push it through the line. He is a shade early and does so aerially towards point.

Rahmat Shah to Paul Stirling. A nicely tossed up delivery, full and way wide outside off, Stirling reaches out for it and drives it to sweeper cover for a run.

Rahmat Shah to roll his arm over.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to George Dockrell. A flatter one at the pads, Dockrell flicks it away but straight to the fielder at mid-wicket.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to George Dockrell. Flatter one outside off, GD comes ahead and dead-bats the ball.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to George Dockrell. Dockrell has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to George Dockrell. Worked towards mid-wicket. Dot ball.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to George Dockrell. NOT OUT! Dockrell is safely inside. A flatter ball outside off, George wants to defend that ball coming ahead but he gets an outside edge and it runs fine away from slip. The batsmen turn around and come back for two. The fielder who gives chase, picks up the ball and gets a direct hit at the striker's end. There is an appeal and the umpire wants to be sure as he takes the appeal upstairs. The replays show that the batsman was well in.

Run out appeal taken upstairs... A direct hit from the deep at the keeper's end. Shahzad appeals and the umpire at square leg wants to take a look.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Flatter one on middle stump, Stirling drives it all along the ground towards long off for a single.

Dawlat Zadran to George Dockrell. Angles in a length ball on middle and leg, Dockrell gets behind the line and blocks it to mid on.

Dawlat Zadran loses his run-up.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Shortish and on middle, pulled behind to fine leg for a run.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Length ball on off, Stirling hits it from the back foot to mid off.

Dawlat Zadran to George Dockrell. Fullish and on middle, Dockrell flicks it in front of square leg and takes a run.

George Dockrell walks in at number 8.

Dawlat Zadran to Stuart Poynter. OUT! A marginal lbw decision this and Ireland have lost their sixth wicket! Zadran gets a length ball to skid back into the batsman sharply from the off stump line. Poynter, who has a habit of staying leg side of the delivery, fails to keep it out as he is probably beaten in pace. The ball raps him on the pads, they appeal and the finger goes up immediately. Going by the replays, it might just have missed the leg stump.

Dawlat Zadran to Stuart Poynter. Too full in length on middle, Poynter whips his flick shot across the line but the short mid-wicket fielder makes an outstanding stop. He parries it towards mid on.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Beaten! A good delivery outside off and it holds its line and bounces more. Paul is ahead to defend that one but plays down the wrong line.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Outside edge but no worry. A flatter and fuller one outside off, Stirling comes ahead to push it through cover but the ball takes the outside edge and it goes towards the short third man fielder.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Stirling stays back in his crease and defends the ball with a straight bat.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Stuart Poynter. Poynter gets off strike as he flicks this ball off the pads towards square leg.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Stuart Poynter. Fuller one on off stump, pushed back towards the extra-cover region.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Stuart Poynter. Flatter one outside off, Poynter looks to cut the ball after going back in his crease. He fails to put bat on ball.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman (6-3-7-3) is back on.

Dawlat Zadran to Stuart Poynter. Plenty of width on this occasion, short and wide, Poynter easily plays it off his back foot through cover-point for a run.

Dawlat Zadran to Stuart Poynter. A length delivery close to off stump, Poynter gets back and taps it down on the off side. He initially looks for a run but then aborts the plan.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Back of a length delivery on off, Paul goes back and punches it to deep cover for a run.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Spears in a very full ball on middle and leg, Paul brings down a straight bat and forces it out to mid off this time.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Gets on the front foot to a full ball and pushes it down towards mid on.

Dawlat Zadran to Stuart Poynter. Good length ball on off, angling in, Stuart stays back to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It rolls behind the popping crease and they cross.

Dawlat Zadran is back into the attack. He has figures of 5-2-12-0 so far.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. A back foot defense to end the over. Just 1 run off it in the end. The Afghans are wresting control on this game.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. A flatter and quicker one outside off, Stirling punches it towards cover.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Slightly slower this time, Paul comes ahead and turns the ball towards the mid-wicket fielder.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Really quick on the middle and off stump line, Stirling is alert and brings his bat down in time to defend that one.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Poynter. Cut away to deep cover for a single.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Poynter. Flatter and quicker on the off stump line, watchfully kept out towards mid-wicket by Poynter.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Beaten! Flat and short outside off, Stirling tries to play the square cut but it stays low and beats the bat.

Mohammad Nabi to Stuart Poynter. Gets on the front foot and plays it towards point for a run.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. This one is punched off the back foot, in the gap at covers and a run is taken.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Leans forward and across to a full ball and knocks it down towards mid-wicket. Dot ball.

Mohammad Nabi to Stuart Poynter. Driven through mid on by the batsman. They pick up a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Stuart Poynter. Beauty! Nabi slows this one up in the air and lands it full outside off. Poynter tries to defend off the front foot but it skids off the surface to beat the outside edge.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Quicker again, outside off, Stirling walks across the stumps and blocks it back to the bowler.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Poynter. Hangs on the back foot to a short ball and plays it square of the wicket on the off side for a run.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Poynter. Play and a miss! Short and wide outside off, Poynter tries to cut but misses.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Poynter. Quicker one on off, punched from the back foot to mid-wicket.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Fires it flat and short on middle, it's stroked off the back foot through mid-wicket for one.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. FOUR! A low full toss on off, Stirling goes down on one knee and sweeps it fine down the leg side for a boundary. A rare occurrence in this innings.

Stuart Poynter walks in next.

Mohammad Nabi to Simi Singh. OUT! The wicket has come! Simi did not look at all comfortable against spin and he falls to it in the end. His 32-ball struggle has come to an end. A flighted ball on off and Simi looks to come ahead and defend. He brings the bat down too late, the ball turns and raps him on the pads. There is an appeal and the finger goes up straightaway. The replays show us that the impact was on the middle stump line and it is a good decision from the umpire. The 20-run stand has been broken. Half of Ireland are back in the hut with just 55 runs on the board.

Mohammad Nabi to Simi Singh. Flighted ball outside off, defended towards the bowler.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Flatter one outside off, pushed away through to deep cover for a run.

Mohammad Nabi to Simi Singh. 3 singles off 3 balls. Fuller one on middle and driven to long on all along the ground by Singh.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Fuller on the middle and pushed back towards long on for a run by Stirling.

Mohammad Nabi to Simi Singh. Flatter ball on off stump, turned away to deep square leg for a run by Simi.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Beaten! A ripper! Hurled in outside off and Stirling comes forward to defend once more but the ball holds its line and goes past the outside edge. Very unlucky not to get the edge there, Rashid.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Defended back towards the bowler drawing forward.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Edged but safe! A flatter one from Rashid outside off, Stirling comes ahead to defend but gets the ball off the outside edge and it runs wide of slip for a couple of runs.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Another front foot defense by the opening batsman.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Flatter one outside off, defended by Paul back towards the bowler on his front foot.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Bowled quicker outside off on a fuller length, left alone by Stirling.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Flatter one wide outside off, pushed away to deep cover for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Kept out towards mid-wicket.

Mohammad Nabi to Simi Singh. Looped up on middle, worked towards the left of fine leg for a run.

Mohammad Nabi to Simi Singh. Flighted ball on middle, Simi keeps it towards the mid-wicket fielder.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Very slow and spinning into the right-hander, Stirling pushes it to long on for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Flatter one outside off, defended on the front foot back to the bowler.

Rashid Khan to Simi Singh. Third miss in a row! Beaten again by the leg spinner. Simi is completely at sea against Rashid. One can smell a wicket here.

Rashid Khan to Simi Singh. Beaten once more! A leg spinner on off, Singh plays inside the line and gets beaten again by the away spin.

Rashid Khan to Simi Singh. Spin and good bounce. It lands on off and curls away, Singh tries to defend off the front foot but misses.

Rashid Khan to Simi Singh. Tossed up ball on off, Singh has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Rashid Khan to Simi Singh. A googly this time, full and around off, Simi picks it very late, almost off the surface and then defends it to the leg side.

Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Too full and on off, Stirling stretches forward and gently pushes it towards point for one.

Mohammad Nabi to Simi Singh. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Mohammad Nabi to Simi Singh. Plays it late but finds the backward point fielder.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. In the air... just short of the fielder in the deep! A floated full ball on off, Stirling decides to slog it across the line but it finds the inside half of his willow and balloons towards wide long on. The fielder in the deep rushes forward but it lands in front of him. He fumbles a bit while picking up the ball but still only a run results.

Mohammad Nabi to Simi Singh. Flatter this time, it's short on off, Simi goes back and punches it down to long on for a run.

Mohammad Nabi to Simi Singh. Gets on the front foot to a full ball and defends it with the spin to mid-wicket.

Mohammad Nabi to Simi Singh. Strides forward to a full ball and pushes it back to the bowler.

Mohammad Nabi is into the attack again.

Rashid Khan to Simi Singh. Quicker, flatter and shorter on off, Singh stays back to tap it down to the right of short third man. A single to end the over.

Rashid Khan to Simi Singh. Too full and on middle, Singh keeps it out to square leg.

Rashid Khan to Simi Singh. Loopy and full on off, a leg spinner, Simi jams it out to the off side.

Rashid Khan to Simi Singh. Simi has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Rashid Khan to Simi Singh. Identical to the last one, this time Simi pushes it off the outer half of the bat to point.

Rashid Khan to Simi Singh. Beaten first up! A flatter leg spinner on off, Simi gets forward to play the initial line but it spins away to beat the outside edge.

Here comes Rashid Khan!!! Last bowler you want to face when you are 4 down for just 42. A slip in place.

Gulbadin Naib to Paul Stirling. Shortish and outside off, Stirling initially thinks about playing the square cut but then bails out. Another tidy over. Run scoring has been very tough for the Irish team.

Gulbadin Naib to Paul Stirling. Deceives the batsman with a clever slower one. Naib bowls it from the back of the hand and lands it wide outside off, Stirling spots the chance to free his arms but is fooled by the lack of pace.

Gulbadin Naib to Simi Singh. Good length ball just outside off, Singh stays back and opens the face of his bat at the last moment. It runs down to third man and they cross for a run.

Gulbadin Naib to Simi Singh. Fuller and on off, Singh reaches out for it and pushes it towards covers.

Gulbadin Naib to Simi Singh. Lands it on a length just outside off, Simi stays on the back foot and plays it out on the leg side.

Gulbadin Naib to Paul Stirling. Full and on middle, angling in, it's flicked in front of square leg for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Simi Singh. Full and flighted on off, Simi nicely gets forward to offer a copybook defensive shot.

Mohammad Nabi to Simi Singh. Allows the ball to spin back in from around off and then softly pushes it to mid-wicket.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Flatter and shorter on off, staying a bit low, Paul does well to keep it out towards point for one.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Fires one in around off, too full again, Stirling flicks but finds the mid-wicket fielder.

Mohammad Nabi to Simi Singh. Too full in length on off, it's driven down through mid on for one.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. A tossed up ball on off, Paul goes deep inside the crease, plays late and pushes it in the gap at covers for one.

Gulbadin Naib to Paul Stirling. Presses forward and drives a full ball through covers for a single.

Gulbadin Naib to Simi Singh. Edged but wide of the first slip fielder! An inviting delivery outside off. It's there to be driven so Singh goes for it. Fails to take his front leg entirely forward and hence gets an outside edge. Luckily for him, it goes wide of first slip for a run.

Gulbadin Naib to Simi Singh. Full again, it's wide outside off, an easy leave this time for the new batsman.

Gulbadin Naib to Simi Singh. Fullish and on off, angling in, Simi brings down a straight bat and blocks it out.

Gulbadin Naib to Simi Singh. Strides forward to a length ball and pushes it with an angled bat to cover-point.

Drinks break. An amazing start for the Afghans. They have removed the cream of Ireland's batting in a flash. Mujeeb has been the destroyer-in-chief with three wickets as the Irish have looked completely clueless against the spin. Paul Stirling is still out there fighting and he has got Simi Singh now for company.

Gulbadin Naib to Kevin O'Brien. OUT! The pressure was building, Kevin O'Brien tries to hit his way out but gets out in the process. Naib dishes out a length ball around off, Kevin stands back and attempts to loft it over mid on. But it comes off the inner half of his blade and flies straight into the hands of Asghar Afghan inside the ring. He takes a sitter and Ireland slip further.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Flighted and full on off, Stirling draws forward in defense. So, after an 8-run over, Afghanistan have again put a lid on the scoring rate.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. A touch short and on off, turning back in, Stirling opts for the cut but it's too close to his body and hence he aborts at the last moment. Somehow keeps it out of danger.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Helps this one with the spin to the leg side but straight to mid-wicket.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. An off spinner outside off, on the shorter side, Stirling goes back to play the late cut but still finds the backward point fielder.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Tossed up ball around off, turning back in, Paul goes down and across to sweep it fine down the leg side. The fielder in the deep stops it near the rope and they take a couple.

Gulbadin Naib to Kevin O'Brien. Pushes a length ball through the line but it goes straight to short cover. Only one off the over!

Gulbadin Naib to Kevin O'Brien. A touch short in length outside off, O'Brien plays a full-blooded square cut but the point fielder makes a fine diving stop.

Gulbadin Naib to Paul Stirling. Nearly drags it on! An off cutter by Naib, around off, Stirling tries to defend at the last moment but it takes the inside edge, beats the stumps and runs down to fine leg for a single.

Gulbadin Naib to Paul Stirling. Beautiful on drive! Fullish and on middle, Paul gets nice and forward before driving down the ground but he finds the mid on fielder this time.

Gulbadin Naib to Paul Stirling. Offers width outside off and Stirling cracks it off his back foot. But he finds the point fielder.

Gulbadin Naib to Paul Stirling. Good length ball on off, angling in, Stirling goes on the back foot and defends it.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Knocks a full ball down through mid on for a run.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. A muted appeal for an lbw! An off spinner landing outside off and turning back in. Stirling plants his front foot forward and across to play at it. He fails to connect due to the inward spin and is hit on the pads. They appeal but the impact appears to be outside off.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Nabi pulls his length back a bit and lands it outside off, Stirling punches it off his back foot to short mid-wicket.

Mohammad Nabi to Kevin O'Brien. Little bit of off spin again. O'Brien does really well to work it behind square leg for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Flighted and on off, Paul stretches forward and pushes it softly through mid on for a run.

Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. A loopy off spinner around off, a little bit of turn there, Stirling tries to defend off his front foot but misses and is hit on the pads. Going down.

Mohammad Nabi is into the attack now.

Gulbadin Naib to Kevin O'Brien. FOUR! Well played! Welcome boundary for Ireland. Naib angles a length ball on off, O'Brien stays back and just clips it off his pads through square leg. It just races through and beats the fielder chasing it.

Gulbadin Naib to Paul Stirling. Pitches it up and outside off, Stirling presses forward and drives it through cover-point for a run.

Gulbadin Naib to Kevin O'Brien. Strides forward to a length ball and drives it through the line to covers. Finds the gap and takes a single.

Gulbadin Naib to Kevin O'Brien. Kevin has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Gulbadin Naib to Kevin O'Brien. Width on offer outside off, cut square of the wicket on the off side for a couple of runs.

Gulbadin Naib to Kevin O'Brien. Straighter in line, flicked on the leg side but finds the fielder.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Tossed up on leg, Stirling nudges it to the leg side.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Flighted delivery on off, Paul defends it out.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. FOUR! Nice shot from Paul Stirling. Full on off, Stirling drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Floated on middle, Stirling sweeps it towards short fine leg.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Flighted delivery on off, Paul keeps it out.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Tossed up on off, Stirling defends it off the front foot.

Gulbadin Naib to Kevin O'Brien. On a good length and outside off, Stirling looks to chase this one but misses it. Just 2 runs from this over. Good start from Gulbadin Naib.

Gulbadin Naib to Paul Stirling. On off, Stirling plays it towards covers for a single.

Gulbadin Naib to Paul Stirling. Good length delivery on off, Stirling defends it out.

Gulbadin Naib to Paul Stirling. Short and outside off, Stirling looks to cut but misses it due to the pace on this one.

Gulbadin Naib to Kevin O'Brien. Full and outside off, O'Brien looks to drive but gets an outside edge. It goes wide of the keeper towards third man. The batsmen take a run.

Gulbadin Naib to Kevin O'Brien. Full on off, O'Brien drives it to mid off.

Powerplay 2 signalled. A maximum of 4 fielders are now allowed outside the ring.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. A good defense from Stirling to end the over. Just 1 off Mujeeb's fifth over. He has unbelievable figures of 5-3-3-3 so far. The Irish are 15/3 at the end of the first Powerplay.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Beaten outside off! This one goes the other way and Stirling is beaten as he looked to defend that ball off the front foot. Shehzad removes the bails and asks for a stumping but Paul's feet were firmly grounded in the crease.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Huge appeal but turned down by the umpire! How is that not out, one would feel after seeing it with the naked eye. A flatter one landing just outside off and going straight on. Stirling looks to defend but plays down the wrong line. He gets rapped on the back pad and there is a huge appeal from the Afghans. S Ravi though is not convinced. The replays roll out and they too say the same. The batsman is really lucky to survive there as it looked plumb in front. There is no DRS either.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Stirling is on the back foot and works it towards the leg side. No run.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kevin O'Brien. A flatter one on the pads, worked away towards the square leg region for a single.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kevin O'Brien. No hat-trick for Mujeeb. A flatter and quicker one outside off, Kevin defends it back towards the bowler on the front foot.

Hat-trick ball coming up...

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. On a good length on off, Stirling plays it back towards the bowler. Second maiden on the trot for Dawlat Zadran.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Full on off, the batsman drives it to mid off.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Outside off, Paul shoulders his arms to this one.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Full delivery on middle, Stirling plays it to mid on.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Length delivery on middle, Stirling defends it off the front foot and plays it with a straight bat.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. On a good length on off, Stirling plays it to point.

Kevin O'Brien is in next.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to James McCollum. OUT! Two in two! The debutant is gone first ball. Mujeeb is spitting fire here! McCollum plays back to a ball that he should have been forward to. A flatter one landing on off and turning in. The ball skids on after landing and raps James on the pad before he could bring his bat down. There was never a doubt and the finger went up in an instant. Ireland in a whole lot of trouble here at 14/3. Also, Mujeeb will be on a hat-trick on the first ball of his next over.

James McCollum walks out at number 4.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. OUT! Mujeeb strikes once more! Looked like he has got his man struck plumb in front, to the naked eye. A flatter delivery on middle and turning inward after landing. Balbirnie looks to sweep that ball but gets rapped on the pad as he misses the ball. There is a loud appeal from the bowler and the fielders, the umpire lifts his finger. Andy has to leave. Maybe, that hit him outside the line. Anyway, there is no DRS available. Ireland have lost two wickets despite a watchful and slow start.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. Flighted delivery on off, Andy defends it out.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. Short on off, Balbirnie looks to cut but gets beaten on this one.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. Floated on middle, Balbirnie sweeps it over mid-wicket. The batsmen pick up a couple. These are also the first runs that Mujeeb has conceded today.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. Outside off, Balbirnie shoulders his arms to this one.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Length delivery on off, Paul drives it to point. A better over from Zadran. Back-to-back maiden overs from Afghanistan.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. On a good length on off, Paul offers a forward defense on this one.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Length delivery on off, the batsman blocks it well.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Again on a good length outside off, Stirling plays it towards covers.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. On a good length on off, Stirling defends it out.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Good length delivery on off, Stirling keeps it out.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. On middle and leg, Balbirnie pushes it to the leg side. Third maiden on the trot for Mujeeb. This is excellent piece of bowling from him.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. Floated on off, Balbirnie defends it off the front foot.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. Tossed up on middle, Andy keeps it out.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. Flighted delivery on off, Balbirnie defends it out.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. Floated on middle, Balbirnie defends it off the back foot.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. Tossed up on middle, Balbirnie defends it off the front foot.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Stirling pushes it towards extra-cover off the front foot. The batsmen think of the single as extra-cover is unable to stop the ball and it goes through to mid off. But in the end, they decide against taking it.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Left alone off a length outside off by Paul.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Almost a similar length to the Free Hit delivery but this time Stirling defends the ball as he does not have the license to go.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. SIX! Takes a full toll off the Free Hit! A half-volley on middle and Stirling gets his front leg out of the way and smashes the ball way over long on for a maximum. The first six of the game.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. No ball! Zadran has overstepped here. A length ball on off and Stirling defends it back to the bowler. The replays show that it was a tight call from the umpire. Free Hit coming up...

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Outside off on a length and left alone by PS.

Another false run up from Zadran...

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Length ball outside off, Stirling comes ahead and defends it towards extra-cover. The ball made a good sound off the bat.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. Tossed up on off, Andy blocks it well. Second maiden on the trot for Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Good start from him.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. Floated on off, Balbirnie looks to defend but gets beaten due to the turn on this one.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. Flighted delivery on middle, Balbirnie keeps it out.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. Tossed up on off, Balbirnie defends it off the front foot.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. Floated on off, Balbirnie looks to defend but gets an outside edge. It goes towards the keeper but he fails to react quickly. It hits Shahzad on the right leg and goes down.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. Tossed up outside off, Balbirnie leaves it alone.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Good shot but for no run. There was width on that ball outside off, Stirling reaches out and times it well but straight to the fielder at cover. 4 runs off this over courtesy a boundary but the rest have all been dot balls. Good pressure so far from Afghanistan.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Stirling stays nice and low to defend the ball on a length outside off.

The batsman on strike warns his partner of low bounce...

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Outside off on a good length, a front foot defense from Paul takes the ball towards cover.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. A solid defense follows the boundary. The ball goes towards mid-wicket.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. FOUR! That is the first boundary of the game. Zadran strays onto the pads and Stirling takes toll. He glances it fine on the leg side for a boundary.

Dawlat Zadran to Paul Stirling. Length ball outside off, defensively pushed towards covers by Stirling.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. A defensive stroke off the back foot to end the over. A wicket maiden from Mujeeb.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. Pushed off the back foot towards the point region by Balbirnie.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. Flatter one outside off from over the wicket this time, Andy defends it back to the bowler.

Andy Balbirnie walks out to bat at number 3.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to William Porterfield. OUT! BOWLED! The skipper departs! Mujeeb strikes. Tossed up outside off, Porterfield looks to cut but gets an inside edge and the ball goes towards the off stump. William looked to play for the turn but it wasn't there as the ball skidded back in after landing. There was low bounce on this one too. Early setback for Ireland.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to William Porterfield. Outside off, Porterfield lets it go.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to William Porterfield. Starts with short and outside off, Porterfield looks to cut but misses it.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to bowl with the second new ball.

Dawlat Zadran to William Porterfield. Not a maiden. A length ball outside off, WP pushes it wide of mid off and runs through to the other end. He keeps strike.

Dawlat Zadran to William Porterfield. Pushed off the back foot towards the fielder at cover-point.

Dawlat Zadran to William Porterfield. Oooh! An under edge. A length ball on top of middle, Porterfield looked to pull it away but the ball goes off the under edge towards the keeper who does well to get low to his right and stop the ball in time.

Dawlat Zadran to William Porterfield. Slightly short of a length outside off, left alone by the Ireland skipper. This time the ball goes at a good height to the keeper.

Dawlat Zadran to William Porterfield. Bowls this on at the stumps, on the off stump line to be specific. William defends it back towards the bowler with a straight bat.

Dawlat Zadran to William Porterfield. A length ball outside off to start off with, keeps low and goes on a second bounce towards the keeper as it is left alone by Porterfield.

After all the anticipation, a false start...

The Afghanistan players now take their positions on the field after a team huddle. The two openers for Ireland, William Porterfield and Paul Stirling are ready too. Dawlat Zadran to bowl with the first new ball. Let's play!!!

The teams are lining up in the park for their respective national anthems.

TOSS - Ireland have won the toss and elected to bat first.

PITCH REPORT - The pitch expert for today's game is Ed Rainsford. He reckons it is a decent deck and will remain the same for the entirety of the game. Mentions that it looks good for batting.

Hello and welcome to the first of this 5-match ODI series between Afghanistan and Ireland in India. All the matches will be played in Dehradun. The 'home' team blanked the visitors 3-0 in the T20Is. The away side will look to come back hard in the 50-over format but it looks a tough task given the current form of the Afghans. They are playing well in recent times and had a decent run in the Asia Cup as well, where they punched above their weight. On a track that is expected to play the same way it did in the T20Is and assist spinners, how the Irish fare against the trio of Mujeeb, Rashid and Nabi could well determine the game. Can William Porterfield and Co. who start as underdogs here stun the favorites? Will be a good series to watch if that happens. Pitch report and toss coming up...