IRE beat AFG by 4 wickets | Afghanistan vs Ireland, Highlights And Cricket Score 3rd ODI Match - Commentary

Given the nature of this surface, Afghanistan will be satisfied with the number of runs they have put on the board. The presence of Mujeeb and Rashid will be the biggest concern for the Irish in this run chase as the pitch is offering nice turn. Let's see how the second half pans out. Do join us in a short while.

Ireland's bowling was top class initially. They did well to pick the first five wickets in a hurry but then lost the plot. Afghan's stumping was missed on 18 and from there onward, they just struggled to create any pressure. Andy McBrine was the best bowler on display while Cameron Dow and Dockrell were impressive and it's a bit strange that they didn't bowl their full quota of overs. Boyd Rankin and Tim Murtagh picked a couple of wickets each but proved to be expensive towards the end. Afghanistan gathered 53 runs in the last five overs to take their total past the 250-run mark..

Fantastic recovery from Afghanistan. They were down in the dumps after losing their top five for just 74 but then their skipper, Asghar Afghan joined forces with Najibullah Zadran to revive them. The duo put together a 117-run partnership to bring the 'hosts' back on track. Asghar got dismissed in the 44th over and after that Afghanistan lost a couple of wickets more but the presence of Najibullah meant that the runs kept coming. The southpaw changed gears after losing his captain and went on to notch up his maiden ODI hundred.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. FOUR! Ends the innings on a high! Rankin delivers a length ball around off, Najibullah camps back and hammers it over the bowler's head for a boundary down to long on. Afghanistan finish on 256/8!

Boyd Rankin to Dawlat Zadran. Too full in length on off, Dawlat digs it out towards point and crosses.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Here it is... Maiden ODI century for Najibullah Zadran! He calmly pushes a full ball to covers and speeds across to the other end. Wonderful knock by him!

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Wide called for height. Short and on middle, Najibullah gets across to nudge it fine but fails to connect.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Wow, DROPPED ON 97! A length ball outside off, Najibullah stays back to throw his bat at it but gets a top edge. It goes way up in the air and the point fielder (McBrine) drops a sitter. Never looked like taking it. Najibullah moves to 99 with a couple.

Boyd Rankin to Dawlat Zadran. Back of a length delivery on off, Dawlat forces it to cover-point and scampers across to the other end as the fielder misses his shy at the bowler's end.

Boyd Rankin to Dawlat Zadran. Oohhh...that missed the off stump by a whisker. A slower length ball on off, Dawlat tries to run it down to third man but misses.

Tim Murtagh to Najibullah Zadran. SIX! Zadran moves closer to his century. Full toss on off, Zadran frees his arm and sends it over the long off fence for a maximum.

Dawlat Zadran is the new batsman.

Tim Murtagh to Rashid Khan. OUT! Caught! Rashid departs. Too full in length on middle, Rashid clears his front leg and tries to heave it over the leg side. But all he manages to do is to slice it in the air towards sweeper cover. Simi Singh there makes no mistake and takes a comfortable catch. He had no other option but to go after it. But the dangerous Najibullah Zadran is still there in the middle.

Tim Murtagh to Najibullah Zadran. Full length delivery on off, Najibullah hits it hard but to the long off fielder.

Tim Murtagh to Rashid Khan. In the air...but safe. Shorter in length, Rashid looks to pull but he is early into his shot. It hits him high on his bat and goes high in the air but falls in no man's land at square leg. Single taken.

Tim Murtagh to Rashid Khan. Yorker outside off, Rashid looks to hit it but it goes to the keeper on a bounce off the bottom edge.

Tim Murtagh to Najibullah Zadran. Good shot but only a single. Full toss outside off, Najibullah hits it hard but too close to the fielder at deep cover.

Boyd Rankin to Rashid Khan. FOUR! Finds the boundary on the last ball. Rankin goes short on middle and Khan turns inside the crease to nail his pull shot. He finds the gap behind square leg and the ball speeds away to the fence. 11 from the over, Afghanistan are ending on a high here.

Boyd Rankin to Rashid Khan. Lands it on a length around middle, angling down, Rashid tries flicking but misses and is hit on the pads. Looks for a run but is sent back. A stifled appeal for an lbw dies down quickly.

Boyd Rankin to Rashid Khan. Extra bounce. Shortish ball around off, Rashid tries to lift it over short third man but gets beaten by the extra bounce.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Najibullah has worked it off his pads behind square. They pick up a single.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. FOUR! Bang! Good length delivery around off, just a little bit of width on offer and Zadran immediately attacks it with all his power. Smashes it off the outside half of his blade and it races away to the fence, beating the desperate dive from the sweeper cover fielder.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Top edge but safe! Rankin follows the batsman down the leg side with a good bouncer. Zadran top edges his attempted pull shot and it falls safely at fine leg. They take two.

Tim Murtagh to Najibullah Zadran. Full length delivery on off, Zadran hits it towards deep cover for a single.

Tim Murtagh to Rashid Khan. Back of a length delivery on off and middle, Rashid pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Tim Murtagh to Najibullah Zadran. Good length delivery on off, Zadran drives it through cover and gets a single.

Tim Murtagh to Najibullah Zadran. SIX! Full length delivery on off, Zadran frees his arm and lofts it over long on fence for a maximum. He has changed his gears here.

Tim Murtagh to Najibullah Zadran. FOUR! Good length delivery outside off, Zadran flat-bats it through point for a boundary. No chance to stop that one.

Tim Murtagh to Najibullah Zadran. Full toss outside off, Zadran looks to hit to the off side but gets a thick inside edge. The keeper dives to his right but it goes past him and the batsman gets a brace before the fine leg fielder can get to the ball and throw it back.

Tim Murtagh back on.

Boyd Rankin to Rashid Khan. Shortish on off, defended from the crease to the off side. 8 from the over, 4 more left, can Afghanistan take their total near 250?

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Slower short delivery down the leg side, Zadran nudges it fine down the leg side for one.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. SIX! That has gone the distance. This is brilliant batting. The length is too predictable from Rankin. This time Najibullah lines him up by making room and powers it in front of square leg for a biggie.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Around off, once again tapped down to point from the back foot. Two dots.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Fractionally short yet again, around middle, Zadran sticks inside the crease and plays it down with soft hands to point.

Boyd Rankin to Rashid Khan. Boyd bangs in a short ball outside off, Rashid punches it off his back foot through point for a run.

Simi Singh to Najibullah Zadran. SIX! Excellent execution. Flighted delivery on middle and off. Zadran brings out the reverse sweep and sends it sailing over the third man fence for a maximum. Spoils a good over.

Simi Singh to Najibullah Zadran. Flighted around off, Zadran hits it straight to the fielder at cover.

Simi Singh to Rashid Khan. Tossed up delivery on off, Rashid gets off the mark by guiding it towards long off.

Simi Singh to Najibullah Zadran. Flighted on off, Zadran pushes it towards long off and takes a single.

Simi Singh to Najibullah Zadran. Excellent running. Shorter delivery on middle and leg, Zadran gets on his back foot and hits it wide of the fielder at deep mid-wicket. They straight away look for two and get on their bikes. The throw at the keeper's end is a poor one and the batsmen get what they want.

Simi Singh to Najibullah Zadran. Flighted delivery on middle and off, Zadran blocks it away.

Rashid Khan is the new man in. Also, Simi Singh back into the attack.

Boyd Rankin to Mohammad Nabi. OUT! Second wicket in the over for Boyd Rankin. He is jubilant. A back of a length delivery outside off, Nabi stays back to punch it through the line with an angled bat but gets a thin outside edge behind to Poynter. He makes no mistake and this is a body blow to Afghanistan. Nabi is known for his free-flowing batting and could have caused a lot of damage in the end overs. Ireland will be happy to see his back. Terrific over, 4 runs and a couple of wickets from it.

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

Boyd Rankin to Mohammad Nabi. Once again tries to run a short ball down to third man but fails to make any connection.

Boyd Rankin to Mohammad Nabi. Deft from Nabi. A shortish ball outside off, Nabi plays it very late and runs it fine down to third man. The fielder makes a tumbling stop and they take a couple of runs.

Mohammad Nabi replaces his skipper out in the middle. The stage is set for him to attack the Irish bowlers as only 6 overs are left after this one.

Boyd Rankin to Asghar Afghan. OUT! Afghan falls! Boyd Rankin has his hands up in celebration. A timely wicket from Ireland's perspective. Another short ball on middle, Afghan swivels inside the crease to pull across the line but fails to time his shot properly. It flies towards deep backward square leg where Kevin O'Brien moves across to his left a bit and takes a fine catch by going down low. End of a captain's knock by Asghar and a 117-run stand also comes to an end.

Boyd Rankin to Asghar Afghan. Short in length around off, Afghan goes back and pulls it over mid-wicket. Not properly timed but still he will get a couple of runs.

Tim Murtagh to Najibullah Zadran. FOUR! What a way to bring up his half century, his 9th in ODIs! Overpitched delivery on off, Zadran gets on his front foot and whacks it through covers for a boundary. A good innings under pressure from Zadran.

Tim Murtagh to Najibullah Zadran. Good running. Good length delivery on off, Zadran hits it wide of the fielder at cover. They run the first one hard and get the second one with ease.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. On middle and leg, Asghar flicks it towards mid-wicket and takes a single.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Wide! Bouncer gone wrong. It bounces too high outside off, Afghan leaves it alone and it has been wided.

Tim Murtagh to Najibullah Zadran. Good length delivery on off, Zadran pushes it towards long off and takes a single.

Tim Murtagh to Najibullah Zadran. Fuller on middle and leg, Zadran tucks it to the leg side and gets a couple.

Tim Murtagh to Najibullah Zadran. Full length delivery around off, Zadran drives it straight to the fielder at mid off.

Change in bowling. Tim Murtagh back into the attack.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Back of a length ball around off, Zadran stays inside the crease and deflects it down to third man for a run. Tidy over after a big last one.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. A touch short on middle, Najibullah goes on his back foot and plays it down with soft hands to covers.

Boyd Rankin to Asghar Afghan. Short in length and outside off, Asghar stands tall and runs it down to third man for a run.

Boyd Rankin to Asghar Afghan. On a length around off, pushed from the back foot to covers. Two dots now.

Boyd Rankin to Asghar Afghan. Stays back to a length ball and pushes it out with an angled bat to point.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Gently pushes it towards extra cover and pinches a single.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. Dot ball to finish off the over. Asghar taps the tossed up ball straight to the bowler. 12 from the over.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. A very full delivery on off, Asghar looks to hit it on the off side. He gets a bottom edge on it and the ball goes to point.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. Dot ball now. Shorter in length this time, Asghar punches it straight to the fielder on the off side.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. SIX! Make that two-in-two. Once again a tossed up delivery on off and middle, Afghan comes down the track and lofts it over mid-wicket. He does not time it as good as the previous one but gets the desired result. Also brings up the 100-run stand between the two batsmen.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. SIX! Excellent shot. Tossed up delivery on off and middle, Afghan comes down the track and heaves it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. Shorter delivery on middle and off, Afghan punches it to the fielder at mid on.

Powerplay 3 signalled by the umpire. Now 5 fielders can be placed outside the circle.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Back of a length delivery angling away from the batsman, Zadran sticks back to tap it down towards covers. Dot ball to end a 7-run over. 10 more to go, Afghanistan looking good here.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. The batsman does well to stand tall and play that short delivery.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Wide! Slips one down the leg side, Najibullah tries flicking but misses. This time it has been wided.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Outside off, tapped down in front of point.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Shout for a catch! Not given. Short in length and going down the leg side, Zadran tries to work it down but misses. It goes closely past his gloves and they appeal. Nothing from the umpire. He has also not signalled it as a wide, strangely. Zadran ain't happy and he has every right to be so. The replays show daylight there.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. On the pads, helped on the leg side but straight to mid-wicket.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. SIX! Powered away! A length delivery in the half for the batsman, Zadran swings his bat across the line and sends it flying over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. Loopy delivery on the stumps, Afghan blocks it away to see off the over.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. Singh bowls an off spinner on middle and leg, Asghar tucks it to the fielder at mid-wicket.

Simi Singh to Najibullah Zadran. Flighted delivery on middle and leg, Zadran nudges it towards long on and takes a run.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. On the pads, Afghan tucks it towards mid-wicket and takes a single this time.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. On middle and leg, Asghar flicks it towards backward square leg. Zadran looks for a quick single but he is sent back by his skipper.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. Shorter delivery on off, Afghan initially looks to come down the track but then decides otherwise. He hits it towards mid-wicket. The fielder there dives to his left and saves runs.

Boyd Rankin to Asghar Afghan. On off, the skipper guides it towards third man for a run.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Length delivery on middle, Zadran nudges it towards fine leg for a run.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. On a good length again on middle, Zadran keeps it out.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. On a good length on middle, Zadran defends it off the back foot.

Boyd Rankin to Asghar Afghan. Length delivery on off, Afghan cuts it towards point where the fielder makes a diving stop. Still a run is taken.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Length delivery on middle, Zadran flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.

Boyd Rankin is back into the attack.

Simi Singh to Najibullah Zadran. On off, Zadran milks it towards long off and takes a single to keep the strike.

Simi Singh to Najibullah Zadran. Excellent running. Flighted delivery on off, Zadran hits it wide of the fielder at long off. He does not time it well hence the fielder has to cover some ground. The batsmen run the first one quickly and are quick to respond for the second. They get the second one with ease.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. Shorter on middle and leg, Afghan nudges it towards long on for a single.

Simi Singh to Najibullah Zadran. Flighted outside off, Zadran pushes it towards point and gets a single.

Simi Singh to Najibullah Zadran. Tossed up delivery on off, Zadran blocks it away.

Simi Singh to Najibullah Zadran. Play and a miss. Flighted delivery outside off, it keeps straight after pitching. Zadran looks to drive but misses.

Tim Murtagh to Najibullah Zadran. Good length delivery outside off, Zadran hits it wide of the diving cover fielder and to the right of mid off for a single.

Tim Murtagh to Najibullah Zadran. Length delivery on off and middle, Zadran taps it back to the bowler.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. On the pads, Afghan flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Good length delivery on the stumps, Asghar defends it off his front foot.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Good length delivery on leg, Afghan flicks it off his pads to mid-wicket, dot ball.

Tim Murtagh to Najibullah Zadran. Full length delivery on off, Zadran pushes it towards cover and takes a single.

Tim Murtagh is back into the attack.

Drinks on the field. A good passage of play for Afghanistan. The current pair has brought them back on track after a flurry of wickets. Given the nature of the surface, anything around 225-240 will be very challenging. Ireland have done well with the ball so far but least afford to let the guard down in the coming overs.

Simi Singh to Najibullah Zadran. Flighted delivery on off, Zadran drives it towards covers for a run.

Simi Singh to Najibullah Zadran. Floated on off, Zadran plays it to point.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. Tossed up on middle, Afghan plays it towards mid on for a run.

Simi Singh to Najibullah Zadran. Full on off, Zadran drives it towards mid off for a run.

Simi Singh to Najibullah Zadran. Floated on off, Zadran defends it off the front foot. Slight hesitation from the non-striker but all is well in the end.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. Tossed up on off, Afghan cuts it towards point for a run.

Simi Singh is into the attack.

James Cameron Dow to Najibullah Zadran. Shorter delivery by James. Zadran punches it straight to the fielder at cover.

James Cameron Dow to Najibullah Zadran. Wide. Sprays this down the leg side, Zadran looks to flick but misses. Wide signalled.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. Shorter in length, Afghan punches it to the off side for a single.

James Cameron Dow to Najibullah Zadran. Flighted on off, Zadran gets down on one knee and sweeps it away for a single.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. Afghan has played it to the point region. The batsmen have run through for a single.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. FOUR! Good effort by Paul Stirling but cannot stop it from going to the fence. Flighted delivery on middle and leg, Asghar looks to flick but it comes off the inner half of the bat. The ball goes towards the fine leg region. Paul Stirling gives it a chase and pulls the ball back on the edge of the ropes. The umpires go upstairs to check it. The replays show his leg touched the fence when he pulled the ball back. The Afghanistan skipper gets to his 9th ODI fifty with that boundary. Excellent innings from the Afghanistan skipper. He came in at a difficult time and now he will be looking to convert this into a big one.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. Flighted delivery on leg, Asghar sweeps it to the fielder at short fine leg.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Floated on middle, Afghan flicks it through square leg. The batsmen take a run. Just 6 runs from the over. McBrine finishes his spell with figures of 10-2-37-1.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. FOUR! Nice shot. Short and outside off, Afghan makes room and slaps it through covers for a boundary.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Tossed up on middle, Afghan comes down the track and blocks it well.

Andy McBrine to Najibullah Zadran. Floated on off, Zadran drives it through mid off for a run.

Andy McBrine to Najibullah Zadran. BEATEN! Tossed up outside off, Zadran looks to defend but misses it completely.

Andy McBrine to Najibullah Zadran. Tossed up on off, Zadran defends it off the front foot.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. Leans forward to a full ball and flicks it to mid-wicket. Dot ball to end the over. 9 from the over.

James Cameron Dow to Najibullah Zadran. Goes back and turns it through square leg for a run. 50-run stand comes up! A fine partnership and Afghanistan will hope that these two continue for as long as possible.

James Cameron Dow to Najibullah Zadran. This one is forced through covers for a couple of runs.

James Cameron Dow to Najibullah Zadran. FOUR! Easy pickings! A low full toss outside off, Najibullah gives it the full whack of his bat and drills it down to long off for a boundary.

James Cameron Dow to Najibullah Zadran. Short and wide outside off, Zadran goes back and punches it with good timing. It races through and the sweeper in the deep puts in a diving effort to save two runs.

James Cameron Dow to Najibullah Zadran. Floated and full outside off, hit back firmly and the bowler did well to stop it.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Flighted delivery on middle, the skipper flicks it to mid-wicket.

Andy McBrine to Najibullah Zadran. Full on off, Zadran drives it through mid off for a run.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Tossed up on middle, Afghan tucks it towards mid-wicket and takes a quick run.

Andy McBrine to Najibullah Zadran. Floated on off, Zadran plays a reverse sweep to deep point for a run.

Andy McBrine to Najibullah Zadran. Tossed up on off, Zadran defends it off the back foot.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Floated on off, Afghan drives it through mid on for a run.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. Single to end the over. Afghan keeps the strike by pushing it to long off.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. Almost another run out. Tossed up delivery on middle, Afghan tucks it towards square leg. Zadran looks for a single but he is sent back. The fielder has a shy at the stumps at the bowler's end but he misses. Lucky escape for Afghanistan, had he hit that it would have been close.

James Cameron Dow to Najibullah Zadran. Flighted on middle and leg, Zadran pushes it towards long on for a single.

James Cameron Dow to Najibullah Zadran. Play and a miss. Shorter in length outside off, Zadran looks to cut it but misses.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. On middle, Afghan flicks it towards mid-wicket and gets a single.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. Tossed up delivery on off, Asghar drives it straight to the cover fielder.

James Cameron Dow replaces Boyd Rankin.

Andy McBrine to Najibullah Zadran. Short on off, Zadran cuts it to point.

Andy McBrine to Najibullah Zadran. Flighted delivery on off, Zadran plays a reverse sweep to short third man.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Floated on middle, the skipper comes down the track and flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.

Andy McBrine to Najibullah Zadran. Short on off again, Zadran gets back and forces it to long off for a single.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Short on off, Afghan goes back and punches it down to long on for a run.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Tossed up on middle, Afghan flicks it towards square leg. The fielder at there scores a direct hit at the bowler's end but the batsman was well in. It hits the stumps and goes towards mid on and an extra run is taken.

Andy McBrine replaces George Dockrell.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Length delivery outside off, Zadran hits it straight to the fielder at cover.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Good length delivery on middle, Zadran taps it back to the bowler.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Back of a length delivery around off, Zadran guides it straight to the fielder at short third man.

Boyd Rankin to Asghar Afghan. On middle and leg, Asghar tucks it towards mid-wicket and gets a single.

Boyd Rankin to Asghar Afghan. Length delivery outside off, Afghan gets on his back foot and hits it straight to the cover fielder.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Good length delivery on the pads, Zadran flicks it away towards backward square leg and gets a single.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Tossed up on off and middle, Afghan taps it back to the bowler.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Short on off, Asghar punches it straight to the fielder at cover.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Flighted on off, Afghan defends it off his front foot.

George Dockrell to Najibullah Zadran. Shorter in length around off, Zadran cuts it towards point and takes a single.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Flighted outside off, Asghar drives it wide of cover and takes a single.

George Dockrell to Najibullah Zadran. Zadran shows signs off aggression. Full outside off by Dockrell. Zadran looks to hit it across the line but gets it off the inside half of his bat. The ball goes towards deep square leg and they take a single.

Boyd Rankin to Asghar Afghan. Full in length and around off, Afghan offers a straight bat in defense.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Serves a length ball on leg, it's eased through backward square leg for a comfortable run.

Boyd Rankin to Asghar Afghan. A touch short outside off, punched to deep cover for a single.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Another delivery down the leg side, Zadran flicks but fails to middle it properly. It appears that the ball has gone off the inside half to fine leg for one.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Good length delivery around leg, Zadran helps it off his pads to mid-wicket.

Boyd Rankin to Asghar Afghan. Edgy! Back of a length delivery outside off, Asghar stands back to play the square cut but it takes the outside edge and runs down to third man for a run.

George Dockrell to Najibullah Zadran. Flighted in the air and Zadran defends it to see off the over.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Flighted on off, Afghan pushes it wide of mid off and takes a single.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. How has that missed the stumps? Dockrell bowls it slower through the air. This one keeps straight. Afghan gets down on one knee and looks to sweep. He misses it and the ball goes just an inch over the middle stump.

George Dockrell to Najibullah Zadran. Shorter outside off, Zadran hits it towards cover and gets to the other end.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. On middle and leg, Afghan follows the boundary with a single. He flicks it towards mid-wicket.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. FOUR! Welcome boundary for Afghanistan. Tossed up delivery outside off, Afghan gets down on one knee, stretches and sweeps it away through square leg for a boundary.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Length delivery on off and middle, Zadran sees off the over by blocking it away.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Once again Rankin bowls it on a length, Zadran taps it back to the bowler.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Length delivery on the stumps, Zadran defends it off his back foot.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Wide. Once again Rankin misses his line and bowls a good length delivery outside leg. Zadran gets away from it and the umpire signals it as a wide.

Boyd Rankin to Asghar Afghan. Good length delivery outside off, Afghan punches it to deep cover and rotates the strike.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Back of a length delivery on middle and off, Zadran gets surprised by it. He looks to defend but gets hit on the arm and they steal a leg bye.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Wide. Rankin misses his line and bowls this one down the leg side. Zadran looks to flick it but misses. Wide signalled by the umpire.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Starts with a full length delivery on the pads. Najibullah flicks it to the fielder at short leg.

Boyd Rankin to bowl his first over of the game.

George Dockrell to Najibullah Zadran. Short on off, Zadran cuts it through sweeper cover for a run.

George Dockrell to Najibullah Zadran. Floated on middle and leg, the left-hander nudges it to the leg side.

George Dockrell to Najibullah Zadran. Tossed up on middle, Zadran plays a reverse sweep to point.

George Dockrell to Najibullah Zadran. Flighted delivery on middle, Zadran flicks it to the leg side.

George Dockrell to Najibullah Zadran. Tossed up on middle, Zadran defends it off the back foot.

George Dockrell to Najibullah Zadran. Floated on off, Zadran tucks it to mid-wicket.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. Floated on off, Afghan keeps it out.

James Cameron Dow to Najibullah Zadran. Short on off, Zadran makes room and cuts it through point for a run.

James Cameron Dow to Najibullah Zadran. Tossed up on middle, Zadran looks to defend but gets hit on the thigh pad. It goes towards the leg side. The batsmen pick up a couple. The umpire signals it as leg byes.

James Cameron Dow to Najibullah Zadran. Flighted delivery on off, Zadran defends it off the front foot.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. Short and outside off, Afghan cuts it through point for a run.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. Tossed up outside off, Afghan looks to sweep but misses it.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Single to finish off. Shorter outside off, Asghar hits it wide of cover to avoid a maiden.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Five dots in a row. Tossed up delivery on off and middle. Afghan is in no hurry and taps it back to the bowler.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Flighted delivery on middle, Afghan keeps it out with a classical front foot defense.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Three dots in a row. Away turner on off, Asghar looks to block it but misreads it and gets beaten.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Loopy delivery on middle and off, Asghar blocks it away.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Flighted delivery on off, Asghar pushes it to the fielder at cover.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. Short again, Afghan keeps the strike by hitting it towards cover.

James Cameron Dow to Najibullah Zadran. Flighted outside off, Zadran pushes it towards cover for a single.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. Shorter in length this time by Cameron Dow. Afghan punches it towards mid on and gets to the other end.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. Flighted delivery outside off, Afghan looks to defend but gets beaten and the ball goes straight into the keeper's glove.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. Flighted delivery on middle, Asghar defends it off his front foot but also loses his balance.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. NOT OUT! Wow, what an eventful ball, this. The bowler deceives the batsman with some extra turn around off and Afghan stretching forward in defense misses the ball completely. He loses his balance a touch as well which means that his back foot moves out of the crease. Poynter fails to collect the ball cleanly and is hit on the chest. The ball deflects onto the stumps and takes the bails off before dropping in front of the sticks. The keeper immediately picks it and breaks the wickets before appealing. It's taken upstairs. The replays roll in and it's a very interesting one. They confirm that Poynter failed to collect the ball and broke the stumps with his gloves. At that time, Afghan was outside the crease. So, a stumping chance has definitely gone down begging. As far as the run out is concerned, Afghan had dragged his back leg inside the crease just in time. Also, the keeper needed to uproot the stumps as the bails were already off. The skipper survives and Afghanistan can take a huge sigh of relief.

The umpire have gone upstairs to check for stumping/run out. It seems touch and go.

Najibullah Zadran is the new man in.

George Dockrell to Samiullah Shinwari. OUT! A stunning one-handed catch by Andy Balbirnie. Dockrell gets a wicket on the last ball of his first over and Afghanistan have lost half their side now. George gives this one a nice flight and gets it to drift into the batsman. The ball lands on middle and then spins away towards off as Shinwari strides forward to defend it with a straight bat. But it takes the outer half of his bat and flies closely past Poynter's gloves. Balbirnie at first slip reacts quickly and goes down low immediately to take a terrific reflex catch. The Irish players are ecstatic.

George Dockrell to Samiullah Shinwari. APPEAL FOR LBW! NOT OUT! Floated on middle, Shinwari looks to defend but gets hit on the pads. The bowler appeals but the umpire shakes his head.

George Dockrell to Samiullah Shinwari. FOUR! Cracking shot. Short and outside off, Shinwari cuts it through point for a boundary. First boundary for him.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Tossed up on off, Afghan plays it towards covers for a run.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Floated on middle, the skipper plays it to point.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Tossed up on off, Afghan drives it to covers.

Drinks Break - Ireland are all over Afghanistan. They have bowled tight lines and have not given away any free runs. They have got 4 wickets and now will be looking to continue their good performance. For Afghanistan, the onus now will be on their skipper and Samiullah Shinwari who will replace Shahidi. Also, George Dockrell to bowl his first over of the day after the hydration break.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. OUT! Cameron Dow fights back brilliantly after conceding two boundaries in the over. The length is again on the shorter side but the line this time is close to off stump. To add to that, it keeps spinning back into the left-hander after hitting the deck. Shahidi goes deep inside the crease to punch it out but is completely cramped for room. It takes the inside half of his willow, drops on his back leg and then gets deflected onto the stumps. Cameron is on the run in delight. His maiden scalp in ODIs. Afghanistan in a spot of bother now.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. FOUR! Nice shot. Short and outside off, Shahidi makes room and cuts it through point for a boundary.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Floated on off, Shahidi guides it towards third man.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Outside off, Shahidi leaves it alone.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flighted delivery on middle, Shahidi nudges it to the leg side.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. FOUR! Poor delivery from Dow. Short delivery on middle, Shahidi pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. The fielder in the deep had no chance.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Single to end the over. Tossed up on off, Shahidi hits it wide of the mid off fielder this time to keep the strike.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flighted on off, Shahidi drives it straight to the fielder at mid off.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Singh lands it short, Shahidi gets on his back foot and cuts it wide of the point fielder. He gets a brace for it.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Short again, this time Shahidi cuts it straight to the fielder at point.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shorter on off, Shahidi punches it straight to the fielder at cover.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Excellent bowling. Straighter one outside off, Shahidi expects it to turn but it does not. He looks to defend but gets beaten and the ball misses the outside edge by a whisker.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. On off, the skipper defends it off the front foot.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. Full on off, Afghan plays it to covers.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. Tossed up on off, Afghan cuts it to point.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. Floated on middle, Afghan defends it off the back foot.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. Tossed up on middle, Afghan keeps it out.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. FOUR! Top edge. Full and flighted delivery, going down the leg side, Afghan tries to sweep but it takes the wrong side of his bat and flies down to fine leg for a boundary.

James Cameron Dow is into the attack.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Dot ball to finish the over. Another excellent one from McBrine. Tossed up delivery on off, Shahidi hits it straight to the fielder at mid off.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Loopy delivery on off, Shahidi blocks it off his front foot.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. On the off stump this time, Shahidi starts his innings with a front foot defense.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. This time he takes the single. Flighted delivery on off, Afghan comes down the track and hits it5 towards mid on for a single.

Hashmatullah Shahidi is the new batsman in.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. OUT! Zazai is short of the crease. Things going from bad to worse for Afghanistan. A flighted off spinner on middle and leg, Afghan nudges it behind square leg. Zazai gets on his bike and looks for a single. His skipper initially says yes but then straightaway sends him back. It is too late though as Zazai is half-way down the track. He turns and runs but Murtagh hits the bull's eye at the bowler's end. The umpire goes upstairs. Ireland are celebrating and the replays shows that they can continue to do so. The in-form batsman is run out. Ireland are right on top in this match!

Direct hit at the non-striker's end. Is Zazai short of the crease? Ireland are celebrating. It has been referred upstairs. Big moment in this match...

Andy McBrine to Hazratullah Zazai. Flighted delivery around off, Zazai hits it wide of the mid off fielder and takes a single.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. Tossed up on off, Afghan keeps it out. 7 from the over, 17 in the last two.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. SIX! THAT IS HUMONGOUS! Tossed up on middle, Afghan comes down the track and muscles it over mid-wicket for a biggie. Three dots and then a release shot.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. Tossed up on middle, Asghar flicks but once again finds mid-wicket.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. On middle, Afghan tucks it to mid-wicket.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. Tossed up on middle, the skipper flicks it to mid-wicket.

Simi Singh to Hazratullah Zazai. Short on off, Zazai makes room and cuts it towards point. The batsmen take a run.

Andy McBrine to Hazratullah Zazai. Floated delivery on off, Zazai looks to flick but gets a leading edge towards the bowler. It goes past him to mid off. The batsmen take a run. Big over for Afghanistan. 10 runs have come from it.

Andy McBrine to Hazratullah Zazai. Short on off, Zazai makes room and punches it through mid off. The batsmen pick up a couple.

Andy McBrine to Hazratullah Zazai. Flighted delivery on off, Zazai defends it off the front foot.

Andy McBrine to Hazratullah Zazai. SIX! Excellent shot from Hazratullah Zazai. Floated on middle, Zazai plays a slog sweep over mid-wicket for a maximum.

Andy McBrine to Hazratullah Zazai. Tossed up on off, Zazai defends it off the front foot.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Floated on middle, Afghan flicks it towards the leg side for a run.

Change of ends for Andy McBrine.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. Turning down the leg side, Afghan works it behind square leg and rotates the strike.

Simi Singh to Hazratullah Zazai. Flighted and outside off, driven wide of mid off for a run.

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

Simi Singh to Hazratullah Zazai. Lands it on middle and off, Zazai flicks it to the fielder at mid-wicket.

Simi Singh to Hazratullah Zazai. Flighted on off, Zazai keeps it out with a classical front foot defense.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. Starts with a tossed up off spinner on middle and off, Afghan nudges it to the leg side and takes a single.

Simi Singh is into the attack.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Single to end the over. On the pads, Asghar tucks it towards mid-wicket and keeps the strike.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. On middle and leg, Afghan flicks it to the fielder at mid-wicket.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Wide. Bouncer gone wrong. It is on the leg side, Afghan looks to pull it but misses and the umpire signals it as a wide.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Length delivery on off, Afghan blocks it away.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Good length delivery on off, Afghan blocks it off his outer half of the bat.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Full length delivery on off and middle, Afghan defends it off his front foot.

Tim Murtagh to Hazratullah Zazai. Fuller length delivery on middle, Zazai gets on one knee and hits it towards mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Tossed up on middle, Afghan nudges it to the leg side. Powerplay 1 is over. Afghanistan are 29/2 in 10 overs.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Floated on middle, the skipper flicks it towards short fine leg where Paul Stirling does well to stop it.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Flighted delivery on off, Afghan defends it to the off side.

Powerplay 2 begins! A maximum of 4 fielders allowed outside the ring now. Tim Murtagh to continue...

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Tossed up on off, the skipper plays it to mid off.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. On middle, Afghan keeps it out.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Tossed up on off, Afghan defends it off the front foot.

Tim Murtagh to Hazratullah Zazai. Good length delivery on the stumps, Zazai taps it back to the bowler.

Tim Murtagh to Hazratullah Zazai. FOUR! Excellent shot. Overpitched on the off side by Murtagh. Zazai makes full use of it and drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Good length delivery on off, Asghar hits it towards cover and takes a single.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Afghan comes down the track, Murtagh sees it and bowls it short. Asghar looks to pull but gets beaten and the ball hits him on the mid riff region.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Good length delivery on the stumps, Asghar blocks it.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Full length delivery on off, Afghan defends it with a straight bat off his front foot.

Andy McBrine to Hazratullah Zazai. Lands it outside off, Zazai leaves it alone to see off the over. Excellent over. Just one run and a wicket off it.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. On middle and leg, Asghar gets off the mark by nudging it towards mid-wicket.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Tossed up on off, Afghan drives it straight to the fielder at mid off.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Off spinner on off, Afghan looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Tossed up delivery on off, Asghar starts his innings by blocking it away off the outer half of his blade.

Asghar Afghan is the new batsman in.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. OUT! LBW! Ireland are on top here and McBrine gets his first of the match. Flighted off spinner pitching just outside off. Shah does not pick the length and looks to play it across the line from the back foot. Fails to get bat on ball and is trapped right in front of the stumps. McBrine thinks he has got his man and the umpire agrees with him and raises the dreaded finger. Should have been forward there rather than going back. The in-form Rahmat is on his way.

Tim Murtagh to Hazratullah Zazai. SIX! Poor delivery from Murtagh after bowling so well. Easy pickings for Hazratullah Zazai. Short of a length delivery, Murtagh pulls it over square leg for a biggie.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Length delivery on middle, Shah flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run. Rahmat Shah is off the mark.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. On off, Shah plays it to point.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Again on a good length on middle, Shah defends it off the back foot.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Good bowling from Tim Murtagh. On a good length on off, Shah defends it off the front foot. Murtagh is not giving any room to the batsmen.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Full on off, Shah drives it to covers.

Andy McBrine to Hazratullah Zazai. Flighted delivery on middle, Zazai tucks it to the leg side.

Andy McBrine to Hazratullah Zazai. Tossed up outside off, Zazai looks to defend but gets beaten by the spin on this one.

Andy McBrine to Hazratullah Zazai. Floated on middle, Zazai works it to mid-wicket.

Andy McBrine to Hazratullah Zazai. FOUR! Nice shot from Hazratullah Zazai. Flighted delivery on off, Zazai lofts it over covers for a boundary. Two fielders were chasing but they had no chance.

Andy McBrine to Hazratullah Zazai. Floated on off, Zazai keeps it out.

Andy McBrine to Hazratullah Zazai. Tossed up on off, Zazai defends it off the front foot.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Good length delivery on off, Shah defends it out.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Again on a good length on off, Rahmat stands tall and defends it off the back foot.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. On a good length on off, Shah defends it off the front foot.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Full on middle, Shah flicks it to short mid-wicket.

Rahmat Shah walks in next.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. OUT! Shahzad is trapped in front of the wickets! Lovely delivery by Murtagh. He serves a length ball around off and gets it to shape back into the batsman. Shahzad moves back to play it on the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads. They appeal and the umpire lifts his finger after thinking for a while. Height could have been an issue. Anyway, looks like a fair call given the batsman's height and Ireland have got a big wicket in the form of Shahzad.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. Full and angling in on middle, Shahzad is on the front foot as he defends it back.

Andy McBrine to Hazratullah Zazai. Floated on off, Zazai defends it out. A maiden over from Andy McBrine. This is good bowling from Ireland. They are keeping it tight.

Andy McBrine to Hazratullah Zazai. Flighted delivery on off, Zazai defends it off the back foot.

Andy McBrine to Hazratullah Zazai. Floated on middle, Zazai keeps it out.

Andy McBrine to Hazratullah Zazai. Tossed up on middle, Zazai defends it off the front foot.

Andy McBrine to Hazratullah Zazai. Tossed up on middle, Zazai defends it off the back foot.

Andy McBrine to Hazratullah Zazai. Floated on off, Zazai plays it to mid off.

Tim Murtagh to Hazratullah Zazai. Short and pulled down to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. Tucks it off his pads and sends it over square leg for one.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. On a length and outside off, punched off the back foot but straight to the cover fielder.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. FOUR! Opens his account with a well-timed shot. The line is straight from the bowler this time, Shahzad flicks it off his pads and it just races through mid-wicket to the fence, beating the valiant dive from the fielder.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. It's pitched up and around off, Shahzad looks for a big shot down the ground but it comes from the inside half of his blade and goes to mid on.

Tim Murtagh to Hazratullah Zazai. Terrific delivery and well played! Amazing yorker around leg, Zazai keeps his eyes on the ball and digs it out off the inner half. It rolls wide of short fine leg and they cross for a run.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Floated on off, Shahzad looks to defend but gets hit on the thigh pad. Just 5 runs have come from the over.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Tossed up on off, Shahzad looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Floated on middle, Shahzad keeps it out.

Andy McBrine to Hazratullah Zazai. Flighted delivery on middle, Zazai nudges it towards the leg side for a run.

Andy McBrine to Hazratullah Zazai. FOUR! Nice shot. First boundary of the match and first runs of the match. Tossed up on off, Zazai hits it over covers. Paul Stirling chases the ball and tries to pull it back before the rope but it runs away to the fence. Brilliant effort nonetheless from Paul.

Andy McBrine to Hazratullah Zazai. Floated on off, Zazai defends it off the front foot. That was a good ball from McBrine.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. On a good length on middle, Shahzad plays it to mid on. Good start from Tim Murtagh. A maiden over from him.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. On a good length on off, Shahzad plays it to point.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. Length delivery on middle, Shahzad tucks it to the on side.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. Outside off, the batsman shoulders his arms to this one. There is some swing on offer.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. On a good length again on off, Shahzad keeps it out.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. Starts with a good length ball on off, Shahzad defends it off the front foot.

All in readiness. The players are on the field. Tim Murtagh will kick off proceedings. Mohammad Shahzad and Hazratullah Zazai are the Afghan openers. Here we go...

Toss - Afghanistan elect to bat! They have made four changes - Mohammad Shahzad, Samiullah Shenwari, Najibullah Zadran and Dawlat Zadran come in for Javed Ahmadi, Gulbadin Naib, Ikram Ali Khil and Sayed Shirzad. Ireland are unchanged.

Pitch report - The pitch has a tired look to it and it will slow down as the game progresses. Minimal chance of rain, informs Ed Rainsford.

A hard-fought win in the first ODI for Afghanistan followed by a washout in the next game. The action stays in Dehradun and the weather is better than the last time, in fact it's bright and sunny currently. Hello and welcome all for the coverage and let's hope for a full game without any interruption. Toss coming up next...