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AFG beat IRE by 84 runs | Afghanistan vs Ireland, Highlights And Cricket Score 2nd T20I Match - Commentary
Afghanistan and Ireland in India, 3 T20I Series, 2019
Date: Feb 23, 2019 Start Time: 18:30 IST | 13:00 GMT | 18:30 LocalVenue: Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Dehradun
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Afghanistan vs Ireland Highlights And Cricket Score 2nd Match - T20I Commentary
I believe the match is probably over! Chasing 279 against a side with Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and a few other good bowlers, just don't see that happening. However, there are miracles which have happened in cricket but this probably is something a little too much. Join us to find out in the second innings how Ireland go along their innings.
Now then, when a team is smacked for something around 280 in 20 overs, there is not a lot you can write about their bowling. Boyd Rankin is the only one who has respectable figures. The rest have economy rates in double digits.
What better could have Afghan asked for after winning the toss and electing to bat. This team now holds the record for the highest T20I score in history. The only time Ireland were in the game were the first two overs where the two batsmen played out a few balls to get their eye in. Once they got an idea of the pace of the wicket, they went bonkers. It was raining boundaries out there, more from the bat of the southpaw. He smashed a 42-ball ton and then continued and stayed unbeaten till the end. A word of praise for Ghani as well, he was happy to play second fiddle but he too scored at a strike rate in excess of 150. Ireland did manage to pick a couple of wickets but they won't be happy with their overall effort.
Zazai walks off with a huge smile on his face. The Ireland players walk upto him and congratulate him. What an innings this has been. Just brutal, just brutal. 16 sixes and 11 fours tells the story.
Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. EDGED AND FOUR! Ends the inning in style! Full and outside off, Zazai throws his bat at it, he tries to hit it as hard as possible. The ball takes the outside edge and races to the third man fence. AFGHANISTAN FINISH WITH 278 FOR 3!
Joshua Little to Najibullah Zadran. Three good slower ones! Zadran once again is done in by the pace. It goes off the inner half towards long on for a run.
Joshua Little to Najibullah Zadran. Another slower ball outside off, the batter swings hard but once again is done in by the slower one.
Najibullah Zadran is the new batsman in.
Joshua Little to Mohammad Nabi. OUT! TIMBER! Nabi is out of here. The bowler has the last laugh. Lovely slower one, Nabi is foxed. He swings way too early and misses. The ball hits the middle stump.
Joshua Little to Mohammad Nabi. SIX! Consecutive maximums! Short and down the leg side, Nabi pulls it over the short fine leg fielder and it goes over the fence. Are we in for another 24 or 25-run over?
Joshua Little to Mohammad Nabi. SIX! What a shot to surpass the highest T20I score. Full and outside off, Nabi clears his front leg and just lofts it over the cover fence for a biggie. Ideal start to the last over.
Peter Chase to Mohammad Nabi. Another inside edge! This one stays low however. Nabi tries to put bat on ball but gets an inside edge towards the leg side. A run taken.
Peter Chase to Mohammad Nabi. Inside edge... FOUR! Short and outside off, Nabi looks to hit it on the leg side. He only manages to get an inside edge past the diving short fine leg fielder and into the fence.
Peter Chase to Shafiqullah. OUT! Shafiqullah holes out! He had no option though, he had to go for it but falls in the attempt to do so. Slower ball and it is shorter in length. It is the batsman who has to get all the power behind it. He does hit it nicely but there is not enough power to get it over the ropes. It goes towards deep mid-wicket. Tucker there moves nicely to his left and take it.
Peter Chase to Hazratullah Zazai. A full toss outside off, Zazai fails to take full toll of it. He swings but it goes off the inner half through mid-wicket. He runs one quickly, wants a second but is rightly sent back by his partner.
Peter Chase to Shafiqullah. Slower ball outside off, it is guided towards point and a run is taken.
Peter Chase to Shafiqullah. SIX! THAT IS HUGE! Short delivery on middle, Shinwari pulls it over mid-wicket for a biggie. It goes over the deep mid-wicket fielder who jumps.
Boyd Rankin to Hazratullah Zazai. FOUR! 12 from the last three balls and 14 from the over. The second half of the over spoils it for the bowler. 12 from the last three. Short again, Zazai however, swivels and manages to pull it in the gap through backward square leg region.
Boyd Rankin to Hazratullah Zazai. Now a couple as he lofts this over covers.
Boyd Rankin to Hazratullah Zazai. SIX! Not sure with Zazai out there that will be possible! Short and on middle, Zazai is not troubled by the short ball, he pulls it over the square leg fence for a biggie.
Samiullah Shinwari is the new batsman in.
Boyd Rankin to Usman Ghani. OUT! In the air... taken! Finally, Ireland have managed to breakthrough. The short ball does the trick for Rankin. It is short and on middle, Ghani makes room and looks to pull, he gets a top edge. It lobs towards long on. Little there runs across to his left and takes a very good catch. End of a very good innings by Ghani. He has played second fiddle but has done his part. Also that is the end of a 236-run stand. Can Ireland at least end well here?
Boyd Rankin to Hazratullah Zazai. On the pads, Zazai looks to swing but misses. It hits his pads and rolls towards cover. The batsmen take a leg bye.
Boyd Rankin to Usman Ghani. Shorter in length, Ghani is a touch late in the pull, it goes off the higher portion and towards long on for a run.
Boyd Rankin is back.
Kevin O'Brien to Hazratullah Zazai. SIX! MOST BY ANY BATSMAN IN T20IS! Number 15 for Zazai. Beats Aaron Finch's record of 14 vs England in Southampton. Another short ball and Hazratullah shows no mercy. Pummels it over square leg.
Kevin O'Brien to Usman Ghani. Full and outside off, lofted over covers for a run.
Kevin O'Brien to Usman Ghani. WIDE. Bowls it miles outside off, from around the wicket, left alone.
Kevin O'Brien to Hazratullah Zazai. Full and well outside off, Zazai swings hard but gets a thick outside edge, just over short third man! A single taken. Wants the second but Ghani sends him back.
Kevin O'Brien to Hazratullah Zazai. WIDE! Bowls it wide outside off, Zazai leaves it alone.
Kevin O'Brien to Hazratullah Zazai. HAT-TRICK OF SIXES! Full and around middle and off, Hazratullah brings out the helicopter shot and it takes off, landing way over long off!
Kevin O'Brien to Hazratullah Zazai. SIX! Back-to-back sixes for Hazratullah. Short delivery again, Zazai pulls it over mid-wicket for another biggie!
Kevin O'Brien to Hazratullah Zazai. SIX! Another one. A short ball outside off, Zazai pulls it over mid-wicket for half a dozen!
Shane Getkate to Usman Ghani. Swing and a miss! A dot to end but still 14 has come off this over. Slower delivery again and outside off, Ghani dances down the track and swings wildly but only connects with thin air.
Shane Getkate to Usman Ghani. FOUR! Excellent use of the feet! Dances down the track, makes it a half volley and hits it over the bowler's head for a boundary.
Shane Getkate to Hazratullah Zazai. This is lofted over covers and a run is taken.
Shane Getkate to Hazratullah Zazai. The ball is way outside the off stump, easy leave for the batsman. Wide signalled by the umpire.
Shane Getkate to Hazratullah Zazai. DROPPED AND SIX! It is over the ropes! Sums up Ireland's day. A tough chance yes, but that should have been taken. The slower length delivery, Zazai smacks it flat towards wide long on. The fielder there runs to his left and tries to take ti reverse cup while running. The ball though bursts through his hands and seems to go all the way. The umpire goes upstairs to check. Replays confirm the same. 200 up and they haven't lost a wicket. To add to that there are 4 more overs to go.
Zazai has been dropped but the umpire wants to check whether it has gone over the ropes or not?
Shane Getkate to Hazratullah Zazai. WIDE! Bowls it wide outside off, Zazai lets it go.
Shane Getkate to Hazratullah Zazai. Bowls a yorker on off, Zazai does well to dig it out.
Shane Getkate to Usman Ghani. Slower ball and full on off, Ghani lofts it over mid off for a single.
Shane Getkate is back on.
Kevin O'Brien to Usman Ghani. A single to end! A boundary-less over, not seen that a lot today. Slower ball and it is shorter in length. Ghani swings but it goes off the inner half towards deep mid-wicket for a run.
Kevin O'Brien to Hazratullah Zazai. Well fielded! Just a run! Slower short ball, Zazai is a touch early into the stroke. He still drags it in the gap at the mid-wicket region. The fielder at long on runs to his left. slides and does well to save three for his side.
Kevin O'Brien to Usman Ghani. On the shorter side and outside off, Ghani slaps it down to long off and gets to the other end. Changing his length really well here is Kevin. Getting all his experience in play.
Kevin O'Brien to Hazratullah Zazai. A yorker outside off, this is jammed out through covers for a run. Exactly the length you have to bowl.
Kevin O'Brien to Hazratullah Zazai. The pressure is getting to Kevin. He bowls it way outside off, looking to keep it out of the reach of Zazai. He ends up bowling it too wide though. Wided.
Kevin O'Brien to Usman Ghani. Guides this through point and gets to the other end. Does the right thing by giving the strike to the man who is hitting every ball out of the park.
Kevin O'Brien to Usman Ghani. Down the leg side, Ghani swings but misses. Wided.
Kevin O'Brien to Usman Ghani. Starts off well here! Bowls it wide outside off, Ghani looks to hit it on the leg side but misses.
Kevin O'Brien is into the attack.
Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. SIX! POWERFUL SHOT! Back of a length on middle and leg, in his zone, Zazai pulls it over mid-wicket for a maximum.
Joshua Little to Usman Ghani. Length delivery on middle, Ghani moves across and pulls it through mid-wicket for a run.
Joshua Little to Usman Ghani. Back of a length on off, Ghani moves across the line and looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. Full again and outside off, Zazai drives it through mid off for a single.
Joshua Little to Usman Ghani. Full and outside off, Ghani drives it towards covers for a run.
Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. Full on middle and leg, Zazai flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.
Joshua Little is back into the attack.
Paul Stirling to Hazratullah Zazai. Keeps strike in the next over by taking a single. 24 from Stirling's first and now the highest T20I score, 263 by Australia is under threat.
Paul Stirling to Hazratullah Zazai. SIX! He does it with one ball remaining in this over. Another biggie. Takes his helmet off and raises his bat. He has a big smile on his face and why not. This is also the third fastest century in T20Is. Only the second man for Afghanistan to score a ton after Shahzad. Total carnage by him here. He gets a ball in his zone to get to the milestone. Full and outside off, it is smashed over the long off fence for a biggie.
Paul Stirling to Hazratullah Zazai. A dot! A rarity! Full and outside off, Zazai hits it back to the bowler. 2 more balls to go in this over to bring up his ton.
Paul Stirling to Hazratullah Zazai. Wide down the leg side, the batsman leaves it alone. The umpire has signalled a wide. 4 wides so far in this over.
Paul Stirling to Hazratullah Zazai. SIX! This is just in his hitting zone. Short and on the pads, Zazai swivels and pulls it over the square leg fence for a maximum. He is one boundary away now. 3 balls to go in this over. Will he bring it up?
Paul Stirling to Hazratullah Zazai. Hat-trick of wides as this is fired down the leg side.
Paul Stirling to Hazratullah Zazai. Another wide as this one too is fired down the leg side.
Paul Stirling to Hazratullah Zazai. Down the leg side, Zazai swings but misses. The keeper fails to collect it. The fielder at short fine leg does well to move across and stop it. Wide signaled.
Paul Stirling to Usman Ghani. Fires it outside off, Ghani hits it through point and takes a run.
Paul Stirling to Usman Ghani. SIX! All the way! Welcome into the attack, Stirling. The faster one by him, Ghani shuffles across and hits it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.
Paul Stirling is on now.
Boyd Rankin to Hazratullah Zazai. On the middle stump, Zazai works it through square leg. They run one, he wants a second. The fielder gets to the ball quickly and has a shy but misses. 150 up for Afghanistan.
Boyd Rankin to Usman Ghani. A short delivery which has been pulled away. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Boyd Rankin to Hazratullah Zazai. On the ribs of the batsman, it is worked around the corner and a single is taken. The batsman gives it as a leg bye so there may not be any bat there.
Boyd Rankin to Usman Ghani. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Boyd Rankin to Usman Ghani. FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! Outside off, Ghani shows finesse this time as he waits for it and then guides it past the diving keeper for a boundary. Not sure if he wanted to get that so fine but he won't mind.
Boyd Rankin to Usman Ghani. FOUR! The bowling change does not make a difference, the runs keep flowing. Once again the over starts with a boundary. Short and on the body, the batter swivels and pulls it all along the ground to the backward square leg fence.
Boyd Rankin is back.
Simi Singh to Usman Ghani. Flighted delivery on middle, Ghani lofts it over mid on for a run. Another big over for Afghanistan. 16 runs came from it.
Simi Singh to Usman Ghani. FOUR! This is poor bowling from Simi Singh. Full toss on middle, Ghani lofts it over mid on for a boundary. 15 runs have already come off the five balls.
Simi Singh to Usman Ghani. WIDE! Bowls wide outside off, Ghani lets it go.
Simi Singh to Usman Ghani. FOUR! Good shot. Floated on middle, Ghani lofts this over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Simi Singh to Hazratullah Zazai. Tossed up on off, Zazai plays it towards mid off for a run.
Simi Singh to Hazratullah Zazai. FOUR! Nice shot. Short on middle, Zazai pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. What power this guy is having.
Simi Singh to Usman Ghani. Short and outside off, Ghani cuts it towards point for a run.
Simi Singh is on now. Ireland trying everything here.
Shane Getkate to Hazratullah Zazai. FOUR! Ends the over with a boundary! 20 from it and Zazai is into the 80s. Another full toss outside off, Zazai reaches out for it, somehow gets it over cover and into the fence.
Shane Getkate to Hazratullah Zazai. SIX! Adding salt to the wound. Dropped on the previous ball he faced and now tonks this over mid-wicket for a biggie.
Shane Getkate to Usman Ghani. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.
Shane Getkate to Hazratullah Zazai. DROPPED! Things just keep getting worse for the visitors! Should have taken that. Dockrell is the man in question. Full and wide outside off, Zazai throws his bat at it. He ends up slicing it towards deep point. George there runs to his right, gets two hands to it but fails to hang on. The batsmen take a run. This could prove really costly. Afghanistan needed a wicket here.
Shane Getkate to Hazratullah Zazai. WIDE! Full and wide outside off, Zazai leaves it alone.
Shane Getkate to Hazratullah Zazai. SIX! THAT IS OUT OF THE GROUND! WHAT A SHOT! This guy hits it with some power! Another length ball and it sits up to be hit. Zazai loves rocking back and he pulls it over the backward square leg fence. The connection is such that the ball is out of the park.
Shane Getkate to Usman Ghani. Back of a length on middle, Ghani comes down the track and looks to play it back towards the bowler. It goes off the inner half of the bat towards mid-wicket. The batsmen take a run.
George Dockrell to Hazratullah Zazai. FOUR! This is just brute force! Another boundary through the long off region. Full and outside off, Zazai somehow manages to hit it through mid off. He gets a lot of power behind it and it races to the fence. 100 is also up, 11 more overs to go. 200-plus is on the cards.
George Dockrell to Hazratullah Zazai. Very full on off, Zazai smashes it back towards the bowler who makes a good stop.
George Dockrell to Usman Ghani. Punched off the back foot by the batsman. They pick up a single.
George Dockrell to Hazratullah Zazai. Another full and wide delivery outside off, Zazai gets his bat to it and hits it down to long off for a run.
George Dockrell to Hazratullah Zazai. Fires it wide outside off, it is very wide and the umpire has his hands stretched.
George Dockrell to Hazratullah Zazai. Now a couple as Zazai slices it over covers. It is in the gap, an easy two.
George Dockrell to Hazratullah Zazai. FOUR! Powerful! A low full toss outside off, Zazai smashes it down the ground. The fielder at long off just had to move a little to his left but he had no chance.
Shane Getkate to Hazratullah Zazai. Keeps strike by hitting this down to long on. Getkate has gone for 14 in his first and Afghanistan are on course for a huge total.
Shane Getkate to Hazratullah Zazai. SIX! This time he pulls it watchfully and brings up his fifty. Short and on middle, Zazai pulls it over the mid-wicket fence. Raises his bat and soaks in the applause. His third in this format. A ton is on offer here.
Shane Getkate to Usman Ghani. Slower ball, Ghani hits it down to long on and gets to the other end. He is happy to play second fiddle at the moment.
Shane Getkate to Hazratullah Zazai. Very full on the pads, it is flicked towards deep square leg for a single.
Shane Getkate to Hazratullah Zazai. FOUR! He did not have his eyes open when he played that but it still went to the fence. Short and on the body, Zazai waits for it and pulls it through backward square leg for a boundary.
Shane Getkate to Usman Ghani. On the fuller side, Ghani shuffles right across and works it towards wide long on. He calls for two but has to settle for one.
Shane Getkate is on now.
George Dockrell to Usman Ghani. Floated on middle, Ghani flicks it towards the leg side for a run. Another big over for Afghanistan. 11 runs came from it.
George Dockrell to Hazratullah Zazai. Full on off, Zazai drives it towards covers for a run.
George Dockrell to Hazratullah Zazai. SIX! Poor delivery from Dockrell. Short delivery, Zazai pulls it over mid-wicket for a biggie.
George Dockrell to Usman Ghani. Flighted delivery on middle and leg, Ghani flicks it towards square leg for a run.
George Dockrell to Hazratullah Zazai. Tossed up on middle, Zazai lofts it over wide mid on for a run.
George Dockrell to Usman Ghani. Full on off, Ghani drives it towards mid off for a run.
George Dockrell is into the attack.
Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. A dot to end but an expensive last over of the Powerplay! This is bowled on the pads, Zazai swings but misses. It hits his pads and rolls to the off side. Afghanistan's Powerplay without a doubt. They are 64 for 0 after it.
Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. Goes for another yorker but this one is down the leg side. Wided.
Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. If you bowl there not many batsman can put you away. A yorker on middle, Zazai jams it out.
Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. SIX! 17 from the first 4 balls! One thing is for sure, you do not bowl slower ones to this guy. Another one, Zazai picks it quickly, he waits for it and then pulls it over mid-wicket for a maximum.
Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. EDGY FOUR! Wide outside off, Zazai throws his bat at it, it takes the outside edge and flies to the third man fence. Afghanistan won't mind how they come as long as they come. 11 from the first three balls.
Joshua Little to Usman Ghani. Slower ball, it is worked through mid-wicket for a run.
Joshua Little to Usman Ghani. SIX! 50 is up in style! Another poor ball, short and down the leg side, Ghani swivels and pulls it over the fine leg ropes.
Joshua Little to bowl the last over of the Powerplay.
Peter Chase to Hazratullah Zazai. The last ball is a dot! Seam-up delivery, he follows the batsman. Zazai looks to flick but the ball hits his pad and rolls towards cover. Another over from Chase which goes for 15. He has gone for 30 in his 2.
Peter Chase to Hazratullah Zazai. FOUR! The helicopter shot! Another slower one and once again Zazai is waiting for it. He hits it uppishly but wide of the diving mid off fielder and into the fence. Another expensive over by Chase this. A ball to go still.
Peter Chase to Hazratullah Zazai. SIX! Zazai has picked the bones out of that one. Slower one on middle, he waits for it and hits it over long on. There was a fielder there but the batsman does not care.
Peter Chase to Usman Ghani. Good length around off, the ball seems to have come slow off the surface. Ghani checks his shot and it goes towards mid on for a run.
Peter Chase to Usman Ghani. Corrects his line and bowls it outside off, it is guided to point.
Peter Chase to Usman Ghani. FOUR! Poor bowling! Fine leg is up in the ring and you serve it on the pads, easy for a batsman. Ghani helps it on its way to the fine leg fence. Once again an over starts with a boundary.
Boyd Rankin to Hazratullah Zazai. A little too straight, Zazai looks to play it fine but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball rolls towards the leg side. Zazai wants a run but his partner sends him back. A good comeback by the bowler after going for a biggie on the first ball.
Boyd Rankin to Usman Ghani. On a length again, this is worked through square leg for an easy run.
The physio is out to have a look. Also, the magic spray is out. The spray does its job and Ghani is all fine to continue.
Boyd Rankin to Usman Ghani. On the shorter side, Ghani is a little hurried into the pull.It goes off his arm towards point.
Boyd Rankin to Hazratullah Zazai. Zazai makes room, the bowler follows him. Zazai works it towards square leg and takes a run.
Boyd Rankin to Usman Ghani. Good batting! Sees the length is dragged back, he pushes it to mid on and gets to the other end.
Boyd Rankin to Usman Ghani. SIX! First of the game for Ghani! On the stumps and the ball is on a fuller length. Easy pickings for Ghani. He flicks it with his back leg in the air and into the mid-wicket stands. Ideal start to the over, pressure on the bowler.
Peter Chase to Hazratullah Zazai. Well bowled! A dot to end but still a very expensive over, 15 from it. The slower ball and it is very full. Zazai hits it towards mid off. The fielder there fumbles but no extra runs conceded.
Peter Chase to Hazratullah Zazai. FOUR! This keeps getting better for Afghanistan. Another ball which is right in the zone for Zazai. Full and on middle, he lofts it over mid on for a one bounce boundary.
Peter Chase to Hazratullah Zazai. SIX! Zazai gets into the act! Length ball, Zazai clears his front leg and tonks it over the long on fence. Already an expensive over this, still 2 balls to go.
Peter Chase to Usman Ghani. A single to follow the boundary as Ghani strokes it to mid off.
Peter Chase to Usman Ghani. FOUR! Just over! Uses his feet and gets to the pitch of it. He whips it just over the outstretched hand of mid on and a boundary. First off the bat of Ghani.
Peter Chase to Usman Ghani. Leading edge! Some swing there for Chase. Full and on middle, it shapes away a little. Ghani plays it with a closed face bat. He gets a leading edge to mid off.
Peter Chase is on now.
Boyd Rankin to Usman Ghani. End of a very good first by Rankin. Just a couple from it. Ghani pulls this nicely towards deep square leg for a run. Watchful start by Afghanistan.
Boyd Rankin to Usman Ghani. Another dot! This is a good over till now by Rankin. Back of a length on off, Ghani guides it to point.
Boyd Rankin to Usman Ghani. Hesitation but safe in the end! Ghani taps this towards point and wants a run. The fielder there gets to the ball quickly and Zazai sends his partner back. The fielder has a shy but misses. Ghani would have been in I feel had that hit the stumps.
Boyd Rankin to Usman Ghani. On the fuller side, Ghani flicks it stylishly but finds the fielder at mid on.
Boyd Rankin to Usman Ghani. Good length and around off, Ghani lunges and keeps it out.
Boyd Rankin to Hazratullah Zazai. Starts off with a delivery down the leg side, the batter looks to flick but it hits his pads and rolls towards square leg. Another leg bye taken, consecutive leg byes for Afghanistan.
We are back! Not a long delay. The groundsmen have done their job.
Now, what has happened there? The sprinkler may have been turned on and there is water sprinkling on the field. A slight halt in play. The players are now seen walking off as there were a few wet patches out there.
Boyd Rankin to bowl from the other end.
Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. A single to end! On the pads, Zazai looks to flick, the ball brushes his pads and rolls towards fine leg. A leg bye.
Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. Short again, Zazai hops and cuts it to point. He tried to play that all along the ground, had he taken the aerial route, could have got a boundary.
Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. This one stays a touch low! Outside off, Zazai looks to cut but due to the low bounce he ends up chopping it to covers.
Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. FOUR! Up and over! Off the mark in style is Zazai. Slightly fuller, HZ clears his front leg and tonks it over mid on. It bounces once before crossing the rope.
Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. Drags his length back and bowls it on off, Zazai with no foot movement defends it out.
Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. Right on the money to begin with. On a length and around off, Zazai is half-forward as he pushes it to covers.
We are all set for the game to begin. Usman Ghani and Hazratullah Zazai to open the innings for Afghanistan. Joshua Little to bowl the first over for Ireland.
Pitch report - Niall O'Brien with the pitch report feels that it is a completely different pitch from the previous game. He says this surface is hard and it has no live grass on it. O'Brien expects the pitch to have more spin and offer no seam movement for the pacers. Expects the captain winning the toss to bat first.
Ireland skipper, Paul Stirling says that he wanted to bowl first. Adds that you have to be at your best throughout the game if you need to beat Afghanistan. Informs that Lorcan Tucker comes in for the injured Stuart Thompson.
Afghanistan skipper, Asghar Afghan, says the grass looks dry and the spinner will come into play as the game progresses. Mentions they will try their best today and look to beat them. Informs that Sharafuddin Ashraf misses out tonight, being replaced by Usman Ghani.
Najibullah Zadran who is up for an interview says he played his natural game and he wanted to form a partnership with Nabi. Mentions they were targeting the last 5 overs, till then they were looking to play themselves in. Ends by saying Afghan will continue to open as he did well in the practice game.
Toss - Afghanistan have won the toss and they will bat first.
The first T20I ended as expected, the hosts came out on top. It is now time for the second one in Dehradun. A must-win for the visitors if they are to stay alive in the series. The home side on the other hand, will look to seal it here itself. We saw the Windies upset the English, the Lankans upsetting the South Africans, will the Irish upset the Afghans? We'll have to wait to find out. Stay tuned for the toss and teams in a while.
Right! 2-0 then, very much expected. But what happened in this game has almost blown everyone away. Afghanistan have made the statisticians take note of them and be it against any team, still, making almost 280 is no bare feat. The two teams come back again on Sunday, February 24, 2019, at 6.30 pm local (1300 GMT) where one will look for a whitewash while the other would be aiming to take something from this series. Do join us then. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Victorious Afghanistan skipper, Asghar Afghan, too, thanks the almighty for the victory in the game and also the series. Stresses that this is a historic moment. On the changes for the final game, Asghar says that there will be a team meeting on Sunday after which, some new guys might be given a chance. Agrees that Usman Ghani played very well which came as a positive in the misfiring top order. Adds that it also indicates how good a bench strength they have.
HAZRATULLAH ZAZAI HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH. Anyone surprised? Thanks the almighty for enabling him to play well tonight. Smiles and cheekily says that it was his day. Adds that the wicket was good for batting and all bowlers struggled, as he made merry.
Ireland captain Paul Stirling says that chasing over 270 is always a tough task and wants to forget this difficult evening and come back fresh tomorrow. Admits that around 220-230 would have been chaseable. Is happy from a personal point of view on this score tonight but also hopes that as a group, they came back better on Sunday.
Another series win for Afghanistan. But their bowling was finally tested tonight. They did not seem to have any answers to the openers' onslaught but Mujeeb and Rashid came out trumps again. 8-0-55-5 combined they wreaked and the opposition simply had no clue. Please do stay tuned to know what the two captains have to say...
Nothing much can be said about a side when it concedes 278 in the first place but as a positive, the visitors at least tried to fight. Their disappointment would be in the fact that none of the others stepped up after the openers. They might still not have won but the match would have been interesting.
Well, a defeat was expected but at least the Ireland gave some sort of a fight. They put in a 126-run opening stand but once O'Brien fell, so did the curtains. In such tall chases, one wicket mostly leads to another quickly and suddenly, the Irish were 165/6 from 126/0.
Karim Janat to Simi Singh. Full and outside off, Simi looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. That is the end of the game. AFGHANISTAN WIN BY 84 RUNS.
Karim Janat to Stuart Poynter. Outside off, punched down to long on for a run.
Karim Janat to Stuart Poynter. FOUR! Off the edge. 7 needed in 2 for that 200. On a good length outside off, Poynter looks to steer it to third man but is squared up. The ball goes off the outside edge past short third man for a boundary.
Karim Janat to Stuart Poynter. SIX! Full length delivery outside off, Poynter clears his front foot and sends it over the long off fence for a maximum.
Karim Janat to Simi Singh. Short of a length delivery, Singh pulls it towards the keeper where he dives to collect but fumbles. It goes towards fine leg. The batsmen take a run.
Karim Janat to Stuart Poynter. Short and outside off, Poynter makes room and cuts it through point for a run.
Karim Janat to bowl the final over of the match.
Mohammad Nabi to Simi Singh. Bowls full on off, Singh plays it back towards the bowler.
Mohammad Nabi to Stuart Poynter. Full again on off, Poynter drives it through wide mid off for a run.
Mohammad Nabi to Simi Singh. Full on middle, Singh drives it through mid on for a run.
Mohammad Nabi to Simi Singh. SIX! This is huge. Once again Nabi bowls it short but this time he is punished. Singh sees the length early and rocks onto his back foot and sends this over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.
Mohammad Nabi to Stuart Poynter. Once again off spinner which is bowled short, Poynter looks to pull but gets an inside edge onto the pad. The ball goes towards the off side and they take a single.
Mohammad Nabi to Simi Singh. Shorter around off, Singh punches it towards long on for a single.
Mohammad Nabi is back on.
Rashid Khan to Simi Singh. Flighted delivery on middle, Singh sweeps it towards square leg for a run.
Rashid Khan to Simi Singh. FOUR! Full and way outside leg, Simi gets down and paddles it past short fine leg for a boundary!
Rashid Khan to Simi Singh. Floated on middle, Singh plays it towards the leg side for a run.
Rashid Khan to Stuart Poynter. Tossed up on off, Poynter looks to play a reverse sweep but it goes off the glove towards third man for a run.
Stuart Poynter walks in at number 8, replacing Dockrell.
Rashid Khan to Shane Getkate. OUT!!! LBW. Quicker and straight from Rashid, Getkate looks to hit it on the off side. He expects the ball to turn but it does not and the ball strikes him on his front pad. Rashid thinks he has got the batsman and the umpire agrees with him and raises the dreaded finger. He gets his fourth of the match and once again proves to be a thorn like so many times in the past.
Rashid Khan to Simi Singh. Floated on middle, Getkate sweeps it towards fine leg for a run.
Samiullah Shinwari to Shane Getkate. SIX! The use of the long handle continues. Full and around middle, Getkate reaches out and sends the ball sailing over long on. There is Mohammad Nabi stationed at the ropes but he can only watch the ball sail over.
Samiullah Shinwari to Simi Singh. Tossed up on middle and leg, Singh nudges it towards the leg side for a run.
Samiullah Shinwari to Shane Getkate. Short delivery on middle, Getkate pulls it over mid-wicket. It fell short of the deep mid-wicket fielder. The batsmen take a run.
Samiullah Shinwari to Simi Singh. Full on off, Singh drives it towards mid on for a run.
Samiullah Shinwari to Shane Getkate. Short delivery on middle, Getkate pulls it over mid on for a run.
Samiullah Shinwari to Shane Getkate. FOUR! Clean strike. Full and outside off, Getkate backs away and smashes it straight back over the bowler. The umpire checks it upstairs whether it is a four or a six and replays show that the ball bounced just inside the ropes.
Simi Singh walks in next at number 7, replacing Dockrell. Samiullah Shinwari is back on. 1-0-14-0 so far.
Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. OUT! Bowled. Rashid gets his third. Quicker delivery on middle and off, Dockrell looks to hit it on the off side but he gets beaten by the pace and the ball hits the off pole. Ireland crumbling like a cookie here.
Rashid Khan to Shane Getkate. Once again Rashid lands it short outside off, Getkate punches it towards cover and gets a single. 150 up for Ireland. Too little too late though.
Rashid Khan to Shane Getkate. Rashid comes back stronger. Googly this time from Khan. He bowls it short, Getkate looks to pull it but misreads the spin and the ball hits him on his thigh pad. The bowler and keeper put in an appeal but the umpire is not interested.It looked like it is going down the leg side.
Rashid Khan to Shane Getkate. SIX! Wrong 'un gone wrong. He bowls it full on middle and leg, Getkate heaves it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. Ireland are not going down without a fight here.
Geroge Dockrell walks in.
Rashid Khan to Lorcan Tucker. OUT! Caught! The wickets are falling like ninepins now. Full and on middle and off, Tucker comes down the track and looks to go aerial but gets more height than distance. Simple catch for Mohammad Nabi at long off.
Rashid Khan to Shane Getkate. On middle and leg, flicked away for a single.
Rashid Khan is into the attack.
Karim Janat to Lorcan Tucker. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.
Karim Janat to Lorcan Tucker. WIDE. That is a harsh call. Full and outside off, Tucker reaches out to drive but misses.
Karim Janat to Shane Getkate. Full toss outside off, hit right through the legs of the bowler down to long off for a single.
Karim Janat to Shane Getkate. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
Karim Janat to Shane Getkate. Outside off, punched straight to cover.
Karim Janat to Lorcan Tucker. Outside off, eased through the covers for a single.
Karim Janat to Lorcan Tucker. Full and outside off, Tucker gets a long way across to flick but misses and is hit on the pads.
Karim Janat returns. 2-0-14-0 so far.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Lorcan Tucker. Floated on middle, Tucker plays a reverse sweep towards short third man.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Lorcan Tucker. WIDE! Bowls it down the leg side, Tucker leaves it alone.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Shane Getkate. Tossed up on off, Getkate plays it towards point for a single.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Shane Getkate. Flighted delivery on middle, Getkate flicks it towards mid-wicket. Two runs taken.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Shane Getkate. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Shane Getkate. BEATEN! Beautifully bowled by Mujeeb. Floated on off, Getkate looks to defend but gets beaten due to the turn on this one.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. OUT! Caught. Stirling departs now and Ireland are losing the plot here.. When you're chasing 279 you cannot take your time you have to attack all the bowlers. The skipper was playing really well but the scoreboard pressure gets to him. Flighted delivery on middle and leg, Paul looks to heave it over the deep square leg fielder. He does not time it well and the ball goes straight to the substitute fielder Najeeb Tarakai stationed there, who takes a comfortable catch.
Shane Getkate is the new batsman in.
Lorcan Tucker is the new batsman in. Mujeeb Ur Rahman to bowl out as well. 3-0-25-0 so far.
Rashid Khan to Andy Balbirnie. OUT! Bowled. Rashid strikes again just like he does on most of the occasions. Quicker one from Rashid, it does not spin and goes straight. Balbirnie makes the same mistake like many batsman have done in the past. He looks to play it on his back foot and he misses. The ball goes onto hit the middle stump. Rashid Khan is up on his celebration.
Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Floated on middle and leg, Stirling plays a sweep towards short fine leg for a run.
Rashid Khan to Andy Balbirnie. Flighted delivery on middle and leg, Balbirnie nudges it towards square leg for a run.
Rashid Khan to Andy Balbirnie. Floated on middle and leg, Balbirnie looks to sweep but gets hit on the pads.
Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Floated on off, Stirling drives it towards mid off for a run.
Rashid Khan to Andy Balbirnie. Tossed up on middle, Balbirnie plays it towards mid on for a run. Andy is off the mark.
Farid Malik to Paul Stirling. FOUR! The fielder did not pick it up at all! Full and wide outside off, Stirling drives it through the covers. There is a fielder at point but he does not see the ball at all and moves late. Ends up being too late! 15 runs but a wicket as well from the over. 149 more needed from 48 balls.
Andy Balbirnie is the new batsman in.
Farid Malik to Kevin O'Brien. OUT! There goes the first wicket as Kevin O'Brien holes out! A full toss around off, Kevin looks to hit it over the deep cover fielder but he does not time it well. Ends up hitting it straight down the throat of the fielder, Karim Janat there, who takes a very comfortable catch. O'Brien is furious with himself. It was a hit-me ball, but he missed out. Still, a terrific fight in front of a mammoth total.
Farid Malik to Paul Stirling. Full on middle, Stirling drives it straight back towards the bowler where Malik slides to stop it but it goes through him towards mid on for a run.
Farid Malik to Paul Stirling. Brilliant come back from Malik. After being hit for two consecutive boundaries, he comes back and bowls a brilliant yorker outside off. He gets his bat down in time and it goes behind. The keeper dives to his right but cannot stop it and they get a couple.
Farid Malik to Paul Stirling. FOUR MORE! Full and wide outside off, Stirling reaches out and slices it over point for a boundary! This is now STIRLING'S HIGHEST T20I SCORE!
Farid Malik to Paul Stirling. FOUR! Amazing shot. Full length delivery around off, Stirling gets on his front foot and lofts it over behind point. The ball just bounces before the ropes and goes away for a boundary.
Fareed Malik is back on. 2-0-30-0 so far.
Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Floated on middle, Stirling flicks it towards the leg side for a run.
Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. Tossed up on off, O'Brien cuts it towards point for a single.
Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Flighted delivery on middle, Stirling plays a slog sweep over mid-wicket for just a run.
Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. Floated on off, O'Brien makes room and pushes it towards mid off for a run.
Rashid Khan to Paul Stirling. Tossed up on middle, Stirling plays it towards mid on for a run.
Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. DROPPED! 'At least call!' says Asghar to the other fielder. Well, that one barely moved. It was always Afghan's catch. Full and outside off, O'Brien looks to swing across the line but gets a top edge. The ball goes high in the air and there is a simple chance at cover. The skipper does not move, expecting the fielder at point to go for the catch but he is standstill too! In the end, Asghar goes for the catch, gets to it, but then spills it. He is livid with the fielder at point. A single taken.
Here we comes. Rashid Khan into the attack, finally.
Samiullah Shinwari to Paul Stirling. FOUR! Not a 20-run over but they get 14 off it. Shorter in length around off, Stirling rocks onto his back foot and punches it through covers for a boundary.
Samiullah Shinwari to Kevin O'Brien. Flighted delivery on middle and leg, O'Brien nudges it towards the leg side for a run.
Samiullah Shinwari to Paul Stirling. Floated on middle, Stirling works it towards fine leg. The non-striker was in the danger end but the batsman was safe.
Samiullah Shinwari to Kevin O'Brien. Full on middle, O'Brien plays it towards mid on for a run.
Samiullah Shinwari to Paul Stirling. Short on off, Stirling makes room and guides it towards short third man for a run.
Samiullah Shinwari to Paul Stirling. SIX! Shinwari strats with a juicy full toss and Kevin O'Brien says thank you very much and accepts the gift. He pulls it over the fielder at mid-wicket for a maximum. Good start to the over, now can they make it a big 20-run over?
Samiullah Shinwari to roll his arm over.
Karim Janat to Kevin O'Brien. Length delivery on off, Stirling looks to drive but it goes off the bottom blade of the bat. Excellent over from Karim Janat. Just 5 runs came from it.
What happened there? Janat came charging in but Kevin O'Brien was not ready at all. He was just taking strike and when he looked up, saw Karim running in. Backed away, then got a slower ball, but still swatted it towards long on. Then complained to the umpire who signalled it as a dead ball. Wonder what would have happened had he smashed it for a boundary?
Karim Janat to Paul Stirling. Great fielding. They have 278 runs on the board but Afghanistan are not taking it lightly. Good length delivery outside off, O'Brien cuts it through point. It looked like that the ball was gonna race away to the fence but Mujeeb comes running in from point and dives to his left and saves a certain boundary. Kevin O'Brien comes to the keeper's end for the third.
Karim Janat to Paul Stirling. Bowls wide outside off, Stirling looks to drive but misses it.
Karim Janat to Paul Stirling. Bowls a yorker outside off, Stirling does well to dig it out.
Karim Janat to Kevin O'Brien. Short delivery, Kevin pulls it towards square leg for a run.
Karim Janat to Paul Stirling. Full toss on off, Stirling looks to drive but it goes of the toe end of the bat towards mid on. The batsmen cross ends.
Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Tossed up on off, Stirling makes room and guides it towards third man for a single.
Mohammad Nabi to Kevin O'Brien. Tossed up on off, Kevin makes room and drives it over covers. The batsmen cross ends.
Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Floated on middle, Stirling plays it towards mid on for a run.
Mohammad Nabi to Kevin O'Brien. Flighted delivery on leg, O'Brien sweeps it towards square leg for a run.
Mohammad Nabi to Kevin O'Brien. SIX! What a hit! Full and outside off, O'Brien gives himself room to the leg side and smashes it right over the sightscreen!
Mohammad Nabi to Kevin O'Brien. WIDE! Bowls it wide down leg, O'Brien lets it go.
Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Tossed up on middle, Stirling pushes it towards mid-wicket for a single.
Karim Janat to Paul Stirling. Short and outside off, Stirling cuts it towards covers for a run.
Karim Janat to Paul Stirling. FOUR! What a way to get to his fifty but the job is not done here for the skipper. Full toss outside off, Stirling hits it over backward point and into the fence for a boundary.
Karim Janat to Kevin O'Brien. Short of a length delivery, O'Brien pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.
Karim Janat to Paul Stirling. Short and outside off, Stirling cuts it through point for a single.
Karim Janat to Kevin O'Brien. Length delivery on off, O'Brien pushes it towards covers and takes a quick run.
Karim Janat to Paul Stirling. Full toss on leg, Stirling flicks it towards square leg for a run.
Karim Janat is into the attack.
Mohammad Nabi to Kevin O'Brien. Six. They need a lot more of these. Flighted delivery on the leg, O'Brien gets on one knee and sweeps it over square leg fence for a maximum. 210 runs more required off 84 balls. Afghanistan at this stage were 64/0. Can one of these play a heroic innings like Zazai did?
Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Floated on off, Stirling drives it towards mid off for a run.
Mohammad Nabi to Paul Stirling. Flighted delivery on off, Stirling plays it towards covers.
Mohammad Nabi to Kevin O'Brien. Floated on middle, O'Brien punches it towards mid on for a run.
Mohammad Nabi to Kevin O'Brien. FOUR! Excellent shot. Kevin O'Brien makes room by moving away from the leg stump. Nabi tries to bowl wide but ends up bowling a full toss on off. O'Brien hits it over cover for a boundary.
Mohammad Nabi to Kevin O'Brien. Tossed up on middle, O'Brien flicks it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen pick up a couple.
Mohammad Nabi is the first bowling change for Afghanistan.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kevin O'Brien. Floated on middle, Kevin drives it towards mid on for a run.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Short delivery on middle, Stirling pulls it towards mid-wicket. The fielder misfields and it goes through him. The batsmen take a run.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Tossed up on middle and leg, Stirling looks to push but gets hit on the pads.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. FOUR! Another boundary for Paul Stirling. Tossed up delivery outside off, Paul just clears the in fielder and hits it over the mid on fielder.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kevin O'Brien. Floated on middle, O'Brien plays it towards mid on for a run.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Tossed up on middle, Stirling flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
Farid Malik to Kevin O'Brien. FOUR! Exquisite! 4 boundaries in Malik's last, 3 in this one. This is the best of the lot though. Length ball on off, Kevin stands tall and times it through extra cover. Malik has gone for 30 in his 2.
Farid Malik to Paul Stirling. Well fielded! Then a direct hit was needed but misses! A very full ball on middle, Stirling jams it out towards short third man. The fielder there dives to his right and saves a boundary. The batsmen then go for a single however, PS is late to take off. Tarakai is quick to get up and he has a shy at the non-striker's end. To Stirling's luck, he misses.
Farid Malik to Paul Stirling. FOUR! Raining boundaries here! Stirling has played really well through the off side. Not a very bad ball, behind a length on off, PS on the up strokes it past the diving mid off fielder and into the fence.
Farid Malik to Paul Stirling. Goes for it again, however, does not middle it and it goes off the inner half to mid off.
Farid Malik to Paul Stirling. FOUR! Width on offer and the bowler pays the price. Outside off, Stirling reaches out for it. It is not off the middle once again but once again he has hit it well enough to clear the in-field. Boundary.
Farid Malik to Paul Stirling. Slower one and outside off, Stirling looks to sweep but misses as the ball stays low.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kevin O'Brien. A dot to end! Top, top over. Afghanistan needed this as there were two very expensive ones. Kevin O'Brien works it to mid-wicket.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kevin O'Brien. Fired on the pads again, Kevin looks to nudge it around but fails to do so. It hits his pads.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kevin O'Brien. Looks to sweep this ball which is down the leg side. Misses to get hit on the pads.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Works this through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. In the air... but well short. On the middle stump, PS looks to go downtown. He ends up mistiming it to mid on.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kevin O'Brien. Angles this one into the batsman, Kevin looks to drive but gets an inside edge, it goes off the pads towards short fine third man for a run.
Farid Malik to Paul Stirling. FOUR! Fourth boundary in the over! The previous three were on the off side, this is on the leg side. Full and on the pads, it is flicked over square leg, no one behind. A boundary. Another expensive over this. 17 from it.
Farid Malik to Paul Stirling. FOUR! Finds the gap again and gets the third boundary of the over! Slightly behind a length, Stirling makes room and hits it through covers. Second boundary in that region in this over.
Farid Malik to Paul Stirling. Looks to paddle but it is down the leg side. Stirling misses. The umpire signals it as a wide.
Farid Malik to Paul Stirling. The slower ball on middle, Stirling waits for it and guides it to cover-point.
Farid Malik to Paul Stirling. FOUR! That is not off the middle but enough to clear the in-field. Back-to-back boundaries. Length and outside off, Stirling lofts it over the man at covers.
Farid Malik to Paul Stirling. FOUR! Up and over! Stirling is going after it here. Full and on off, Paul clears his front leg and lofts it over mid off and it races to the fence. Ireland are also off to a flier.
Farid Malik to Paul Stirling. Lovely timing but straight to the fielder. Length ball around off, Stirling just opens the face of his bat, it goes right off the middle and to the man at cover-point.
Farid Malik to bowl from the other end.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. FOUR OVERTHROWS! That might help Ireland a bit. Full and around middle, Stirling whips it over mid-wicket. He takes a single and is ready for the second, comes halfway down but is sent back. The throw comes in at the keeper's end but is way too wide and short third man cannot get anywhere near it.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Flatter off spinner on middle and leg, the Irish captain nudges it to the fielder at mid-wicket.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Wide! Second one of the over. Mujeeb once again misses the line and length and bowls it down the leg side. Stirling leaves it alone and the umpire signals it as wide.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kevin O'Brien. On the pads again by Mujeeb. O'Brien nudges it towards mid-wicket and gets off the mark.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kevin O'Brien. Wide! Mujeeb misses his line and length and sprays this down the leg side. O'Brien looks to flick but misses. The umpire signals it as wide.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Flatter on middle and leg, Stirling tucks it towards square leg and takes a single.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. This is better from Mujeeb. Bowls it full on middle and leg, Paul this time blocks it.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. What a start! Just what the Irish wanted. Tossed up delivery on off, Stirling gets on his front foot and heaves it over the long off fence for a maximum. They need a lot more of these though.
We are back for the chase. Kevin O'Brien and Paul Stirling walk out to the middle to open the innings for Ireland in this mammoth chase. Mujeeb Ur Rahman to bowl the first over for Afghanistan.