AFG beat IRE by 7 wickets | Afghanistan vs Ireland, Highlights And Cricket Score One-off Test Match - Commentary

Now then, the Afghan bowlers have done their job and it is now upto their batsmen. They will be aiming to take a good lead here as the wicket is a decent one to bat on. Ireland on the other hand will hope to pick up early wickets, put the hosts under pressure and then see how they cope with it.

Earlier in the day, the Irish won the toss and elected to bat, they got off to a good start but then fell apart. Nabi and Rashid ran through the middle order as they piked up 5 between them. Yamin got the big wickets of Stirling, Balbirnie and the last one, whereas, Salamkheil also had two to his name. Afghanistan will be disappointed, they could not keep them to under 100 but should be satisfied with their overall performance.

The session started for them in a bad manner as they lost two quickly. They were nine down for 85 and even 100 did not look possible. However, an 87-run stand between Dockrell and Murtagh with the latter scoring a half ton, has given some respectability to their score.

What a session did we have here! Ireland have fought back really well. Yes, their total is still under par but it could have been a lot worse.

Yamin Ahmadzai to George Dockrell. OUT! Afghanistan finally get the last wicket. The brilliant 87-run stand comes to an end and Afghanistan will be relieved. They were surely frustrated but now have finally got the last man. The length delivery outside off, Dockrell pokes at it away from his body. The ball takes an outside edge and goes into the mitts of the keeper. IRELAND ARE ALL OUT FOR 172!

Yamin Ahmadzai to Tim Murtagh. Full on off, Murtagh pushes it to mid on for a single.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Tim Murtagh. A short of a length delivery on leg, Murtagh was going for a huge heave on the on side but misses to connect. The ball goes past to the keeper.

Yamin Ahmadzai to George Dockrell. Full on off, Dockrell taps it to point for an easy single.

Yamin Ahmadzai to George Dockrell. Full length on off, defended easily.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Tim Murtagh. In the air ... DROPPED! A short pitched delivery on leg, Murtagh lofts it over mid-wicket and Rashid at deep mid-wicket gives a brilliant effort diving to his right in an attempt to take a catch. He then makes a good recovery and stops the ball from going inside the ropes. Batsmen complete three during the process.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Floats it up on off, Dockrell leans forward and keeps it out.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Outside off, left alone.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. On off, defended.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. On the stumps, kept out.

Waqar Salamkheil to Tim Murtagh. Fifty up for Murtagh. What a timely innings by him. His team was staring down the barrel at 85 for 9 but his knock and this partnership with Dockrell has taken them past 150. Brilliant. He gets there by easing this down to long off.

Waqar Salamkheil to Tim Murtagh. Floats it up on off, the batsman lunges forward and defends it.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. Down the leg side, Murtagh applies his wrists and plays it down the leg for a single.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. A poor line this time, a flatter one pitching outside leg. Murtagh going for a flick misses it, so does the keeper in collecting it, and the ball touches the ropes. Byes signalled by the umpire.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. A flatter one this time, pitching on off, Murtagh blocks it.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. Full length on off, Dockrell defends it with ease.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. Full pitched on middle, blocked by Dockrell.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. Full on off, defended.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Floats it up on off, TM lunges and keeps it out.

Waqar Salamkheil to Tim Murtagh. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. A run taken.

Waqar Salamkheil to Tim Murtagh. On the stumps, the batsman kept it out.

Waqar Salamkheil to Tim Murtagh. FOUR! Short and wide and put away! Dockrell goes back and slaps it through covers for a boundary.

Waqar Salamkheil to Tim Murtagh. On the stumps, the batter manages to block it out.

Waqar Salamkheil to Tim Murtagh. Down the leg side, it is worked around the corner for a run.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. A tossed up delivery on off, Dockrell just guides it to short third man for a single.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. A flighted delivery turned out to be a full toss on leg, Murtagh flicks it to mid wicket for a single.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. A quicker one in the air this time, full length on middle. Dockrell defends it with ease. Rashid gives a hard glare to Dockrell, challenging him to hit.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Full on off, blocked with ease.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. A short length delivery, Murtagh pulls it to mid wicket for a single.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. A beautiful tossed up delivery around off, turned away for lefty, Murtagh was beaten because of the spin.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. FOUR! Half tracker, the batsman goes back to this ball and pulls it hard to the deep mid wicket region. No chance for the fielder. Boundary signaled. 10 runs from this over.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Defended watchfully on this flighted full delivery.

Waqar Salamkheil to Tim Murtagh. Leg bye! Googly on middle going down. Hits the pads and the bowler appeals along with the keeper. The umpire doesn't seem interested. Replays show it was going down leg.

Waqar Salamkheil to Tim Murtagh. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Prods forward on this one, and drives it to the cover fielder for a single.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. FOUR! Tossed up outside off, punched off the back foot through the covers for a boundary. Dockrell has hung well on the crease to keep the scoreboard tickling.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. This one stays low after pitching on middle, Murtagh does well to get his bat down in time and keep it out.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. On the stumps, it is kept out.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. Driven through mid off by the batsman.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. The yorker on off, the batter jams it out.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. A little too straight, this is worked to mid-wicket.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. Nicely struck but straight to the man at mid off.

Wafadar Momand to George Dockrell. Back of length pitching on off, Dockrell defends it with ease.

Wafadar Momand to George Dockrell. Full length delivery on off, Dockrell manages to get a defensive strike on that.

Wafadar Momand to Tim Murtagh. A short delivery to follow up, Murtagh looking for same result but just manages to get a top edge, but lucky for him ball lands safe on square leg. Single taken.

Wafadar Momand to Tim Murtagh. FOUR! Another one! Murtagh opening all screws, that was hammered. A pure whacking almost a replay of previous boundary, the ball was pitched short this time. Murtagh clears his front leg and on the back foot plays a pull to another boundary.

Wafadar Momand to Tim Murtagh. FOUR! A BANG! And that brings 50-run stand between the pair. A vital partnership this, as it is giving some respectability total to the Irish total. A back of length delivery on middle and leg, Murtagh clears his front leg and smashes it to mid on for a boundary. Murtagh looking for some quick runs here.

Wafadar Momand to George Dockrell. A full length delivery on off, Dockrell just pushes it to mid off and runs for a single.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. Tosses it up on off, Murtagh strokes it to mid off.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. Down the leg side, Murtagh looks to flick but misses. A stifled appeal but nothing from the umpire.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. On the shorter side on off, Murtagh goes back and pushes it to mid off.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. A low full toss on middle, Murtagh whips it but straight to mid-wicket.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. Tosses it up on off, Murtagh lunges and keeps it out.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. This is on middle, the batter works it towards mid-wicket.

Wafadar Momand to Tim Murtagh. Short of a good length delivery, pitched on middle and leg, Murtagh taps it to mid off for a quick single.

Wafadar Momand to Tim Murtagh. Full and on middle, kept away by batsman by placing it to mid on.

Wafadar Momand to Tim Murtagh. Short and on leg side, Murtagh pulls it to deep square leg for a double.

Wafadar Momand to George Dockrell. Full length delivery, pitched on off, Dockrell pushes it mid off for a single.

Wafadar Momand to George Dockrell. Length ball pitched on off, defended with ease, showing full face of the bat.

Wafadar Momand to George Dockrell. Good length, way outside off, left alone.

Wafadar Momand is back on.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. Similar delivery, similar result.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. Floated delivery on off, defended it with ease.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. A quicker one, pitching short and on middle, Dockrell pushes it to mid on for a single.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Full on off, defended watchfully.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. A flighted full length delivery on off, defended.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. A short pitch delivery around off, Dockrell pushes it to covers.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. Does not toss it up this time, he fires it on the stumps. The batter goes back and keeps it out.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. SIX! All the way! Excellent shot. Nabi tosses this up on off, seeing the flight. Murtagh's eyes lit up. He tonks it over the wide long on fence for a biggie.

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

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. The straighter one on off, Murtagh plays for the turn but ends up getting an inside edge onto his pads.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. This is flatter and on off, the batsman goes back and punches it to the bowler.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. On the stumps, the batter lunges and keeps it out.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Plays this full length floated delivery going on the front foot.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. FOUR! Flighted googly, Dockrells plays an uppish flick which goes straight to the log on region. The fielder gives it a chase and gets hand to it but fails to stop it from going inside the ropes.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Defended on the front foot, the ball rolls on to the cover fielder.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Punched off the back foot to the covers.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Tossed up outside off, defended to the off side.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. Around the stumps, Murtagh tries to play it across the line and gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. Bowls it on the shorter side, Tim blades it to covers.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. Flatter one on the legs, flicked away to the square leg fielder.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. SIX! Out of the blues! A gear shift by Murtagh! A well tossed up delivery pitching on middle, Murtagh gets on front foot and waits for it and gives it a solid whack above the bowler's head. It goes straight and it goes high. A beautiful shot that. Beauty.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. Full on off, blocked with ease.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. A flatter one, pitched around off and skids away with angle. Murtagh fails to get the bat on that.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Fuller in length this time, defended watchfully.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. Floated on middle, driven straight to mid on for a single.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Flicks this one off his pads to the on side. Single taken.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Tossed up ball, kept out on the off side.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. A googly this time on off, Murtagh opens the face of the bat and guides it to third man. The fielder stops it just inside the fence. 3 runs taken.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Starts his new spell with a half tracker, the batsman goes back and pulls it straight to deep mid wicket. A run scored.

Rashid Khan is on now.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. Full on off, tossed up nicely, defended with ease.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. A flighted delivery on off, pushes it to the deep point region and take a couple.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. Full on off, defended.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. Full on off, defended with ease.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. A short pitch delivery, pitched around off, Dockrell rocks on the back foot and punches it to long off for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. A tossed up delivery on middle, defended.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Plays this flighted delivery straight down to long off for a single.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Defended off the back foot to the on side.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. FOUR! 100 up for Ireland! Coming to the ball, Dockrell plays it straight down the the ground. The ball goes past the non-striker and races away to long off for a boundary.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Defended off the front foot.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Googly this time hitting the pads. The bowler appeals for an lbw. But replays show it was clearly pitching outside leg.

Waqar Salamkheil to Tim Murtagh. Starts the over with a tossed up delivery on the stumps, plays it down the ground for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. A quicker through the air, pitched on middle and leg, Dockrell tried a flick but its way down the leg side.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Floated delivery on middle, batsman plays it with ease.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Tossed up delivery on off, defended watchfully.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. A tossed up delivery on off, Murtagh pushes it to mid off for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. Same delivery, same result.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. Full length on off, defended.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Defends this one by getting right behind the line of the ball.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads.

Waqar Salamkheil to Tim Murtagh. Flicked this full ball down to long on for a single.

Waqar Salamkheil to Tim Murtagh. Played to the on side this time. No run scored.

Waqar Salamkheil to Tim Murtagh. Defends this one off the back foot to the covers.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Tossed up on off, punched off the back foot to the extra cover region for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. FOUR! Out of the screws! Against the flow of game. A juicy tossed up delivery on a good length pitched on middle and off. Murtagh plants his front foot in line and lofts it above bowler's head for a handsome boundary.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. Full on off , defended with ease.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. Full on off, defended towards the point region.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Back of a length, flicked to mid wicket for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Full on off, defends with ease.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. Short of a good length, pitched on middle and leg, helped it around the corner with a flick towards the fine leg region, Murtagh takes three before the fielder pulls it back in.

Waqar Salamkheil to Tim Murtagh. This is worked around the corner and Murtagh will keep strike.

Waqar Salamkheil to Tim Murtagh. Gives it air on off, this is eased to mid off.

Waqar Salamkheil to Tim Murtagh. Flighted ball on off, TM manages to block it out.

Waqar Salamkheil to Tim Murtagh. On the stumps, it is kept out.

Waqar Salamkheil to Tim Murtagh. Tosses it up on middle, Murtagh strokes it to mid on.

Tim Murtagh is the last man in.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. OUT! LBW! There goes no. 9. A flatter delivery turning in for Cameron Dow. He fails to understand the turn on that and tries to play it from deep inside the crease. He looks to flick but misses. The ball hits him on the pads. An appeal follows and the umpire raises his finger.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Defends it off the front foot presenting the full face of the bat.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Solidly defended off the front foot.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. FOUR! Tossed up on leg, flicks it to the fine leg region for a boundary. The fielder gives it a chase, but the ball raced away to the fence.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Cheeky! Pitches around middle from good length, Dockrell looks to defend but misses and gets rapped up on the pads. A loud appeal but the umpire is unmoved. The ball is missing leg.

Mohammad Nabi to James Cameron Dow. Around the stumps, Cameron Dow flicks it away to square leg for a run.

Mohammad Nabi to James Cameron Dow. That was close! Floated on off, Cameron Dow looks to play but misses.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. A flighted delivery pitched outside off, Cameron Dow wanted to cut but the ball stayed low and he gets an inside edge he ball goes between the legs of the wicket keeper, the ball goes towards the third man region, batsmen run three.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. Back of a length, pitched around leg, flicked it short fine leg.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. A flighted delivery on off, defended.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. Another dot, this time played it to the on side.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. Plays this full ball straight to the bowler.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. Floated on off, defend off the back foot.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Ends the over with a dot ball. Full and on off, Dockrell defends it firmly.

Mohammad Nabi to James Cameron Dow. Ahead of a length, targeting the pads, flicked away to square leg for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to James Cameron Dow. Back of a length, pitched on middle, Dow gets back on the back foot and defends it.

Mohammad Nabi to James Cameron Dow. Full on off, defended watchfully.

Mohammad Nabi to James Cameron Dow. Full on off, defended.

Mohammad Nabi to James Cameron Dow. A flighted delivery pitched on off, defended with ease.

Mohammad Nabi is on now.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. A maiden as Dockrell defends the last ball as well.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. This is bowled on middle, Dockrell defends it with his bat ahead of his pad.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. The slider on off, Dockrell goes back and keeps it out.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. The googly on middle, Dockrell prods forward and blocks it out.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Floats it up on off, Dockrell strides forward and keeps it out.

Yamin Ahmadzai to James Cameron Dow. Good length delivery pitched on middle, defended with ease.

Yamin Ahmadzai to James Cameron Dow. Back of a length pitched on middle and leg, sliding down the leg. Dow was looking to play it fine with a flick but fails to get the bat on the ball.

Yamin Ahmadzai to James Cameron Dow. Full and on off, defended.

Yamin Ahmadzai to George Dockrell. A good length delivery outside off, Dockrell taps it to the point region and takes a single.

Yamin Ahmadzai to George Dockrell. A short pitched delivery on off, defended on the back foot.

Yamin Ahmadzai to George Dockrell. An attempted bouncer, pitched on middle, Dockrell ducks under it.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. Nicely played! It is the googly but Cameron Dow picks it. He works it with the turn towards mid-wicket.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. Once again looks to guide it but the ball is too close to play the shot. He ends up chopping it to the first slip fielder.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. On the off pole, the batter defends it out.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. Flatter and shorter outside off, Cameron Dow looks to guide it but chops it to the slip fielder.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. This is angled into the pads, the batter fails to flick. It hits his front pad. An appeal follows but the umpire shakes his head.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. The googly and the batter picks it. He whips it through mid-wicket and the batsmen take two.

Yamin Ahmadzai to George Dockrell. Good length outside off, Dockrell was looking to put bat on it, but misses.

Yamin Ahmadzai to George Dockrell. Back of a length on off, defended with ease.

Yamin Ahmadzai to George Dockrell. Outside off, pitched on good length, Dockrell shoulders his arms to that.

Yamin Ahmadzai to George Dockrell. Back of a length pitched around off, defended easily.

Yamin Ahmadzai to George Dockrell. Full length pitched outside off and stayed low, Dockrell had to lean down to apply bat to it, however gets an edge, but the ball fails to carry to the slip region.

Yamin Ahmadzai to George Dockrell. Back of a length delivery pitched around off, watchfully defended.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. On the off pole and the batsman keeps it out.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. The batsman works it down the leg side.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Outside off, this is driven square on the off side for a run.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Another flighted ball on off, Dockrell looks to drive it through the off side but it goes off the inner half towards mid on.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Tosses it up nicely on off, Dockrell prods forward and keeps it out.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. A little too short on middle, Cameron Dow goes back and works it through square leg for a run.

Yamin Ahmadzai to George Dockrell. Good length, pitched around off, nibs back in for the righty, Dockrell defends with full face of the bat.

Yamin Ahmadzai to George Dockrell. Outside off, pitched on good length, left alone.

Yamin Ahmadzai to James Cameron Dow. Full length around off, Dow taps it to mid off and takes a single.

Yamin Ahmadzai to James Cameron Dow. A back of length delivery angling away for lefty, misses the edge of the bat. Close call that.

Yamin Ahmadzai to George Dockrell. Full on off, driven crisply to covers for a single.

Yamin Ahmadzai to George Dockrell. A back of length delivery, pitched on off, watchfully defended.

Yamin Ahmadzai to bowl from the other end.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. A little too full outside off, the batter drives it square on the off side. A wicket-maiden to begin with.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. This is worked on the leg side.

James Cameron Dow is the new man in.

Waqar Salamkheil to Andy McBrine. OUT! Maiden Test wicket for Waqar! A proud, proud moment for him and Afghanistan have struck right after Lunch. This is tossed up outside off, McBrine goes down on one knee and looks to drag his sweep on the leg side. He only manages an inside edge onto his stumps.

Waqar Salamkheil to Andy McBrine. A flighted delivery on middle, defended with ease.

Waqar Salamkheil to Andy McBrine. Full on off, easily defended.

We are back for the afternoon session! George Dockrell and Andy McBrine will resume their innings. Waqar Salamkheil to start the proceedings after Lunch. Here we go...

... Day 1, Session 2 ...

Afghanistan would want the same to continue and they would look to bundle the visitors out as quickly as possible. The visitors on the other hand will hope for one partnership which can give some respectability to their score. Will there be a fightback or will the hosts continue their domination?

I do not think I need to mention which side will be the happier one heading into the break. A very poor batting display by Ireland especially after the way they started. Paul Stirling got them off to a flier but he was the first one to be dismissed. That began the procession. From 37 for 0 they have slipped to 69 for 7. It was Yamin who started things off and then the spinners took over. Nabi has been the pick, he has three to his name.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Andy McBrine. A misfield and an extra run is taken! Short and on the body, McBrine pulls it towards fine leg. They take one, the fielder fumbles and another run is taken. THAT WILL BE LUNCH ON DAY 1!

Yamin Ahmadzai to Andy McBrine. Another length delivery around off, McBrine opens the face and guides it to point.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Andy McBrine. On the fuller side, McBrine strokes it on the up to the man at covers.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Andy McBrine. Full and wide outside off, McBrine looks to drive but gets an underedge. The ball rolls towards the fielder at cover.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Andy McBrine. Goes fuller this time, the batter gets his bat down in time and keeps it out.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Andy McBrine. Lands it on middle, McBrine works it towards mid-wicket.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. Another maiden over for Waqar.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Dockrell plays the square cut on this one, but straight to the fielder at point.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Punches it off the back foot to the covers.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Hits the batsman on the pads but it was pitching outside leg.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Flighted delivery on off, the batsman misses to connect and it hits his pads. Loud appeal from the keeper and the bowler but the umpire denies. Looked close in the replays, probably height might have saved him.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Another dot to end another maiden by Nabi. He bowls it on off, McBrine plays it late and with an angled bat to point.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Darts it on off, McBrine guides it to point.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Attacks the stumps but the batsman is solid in defense.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Gives it a little more air on off, McBrine plants his front foot forward and pushes it to covers.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. On the stumps, it is blocked out nicely.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Flatter and on off, the batter goes back and pushes it to mid off.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Defends this full ball going on the front foot.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. FOUR! Almost chops it on. This is bowled flatter and outside off, it turns back in. The batsman looks to cut but the delivery is too close to play that shot. It takes the inside edge and bounces just near the off stump and goes past the keeper to the third man region. 3 fielders give it a chase but the ball wins the race. Boundary signaled.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Defended off the front foot.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Floated outside off, it was a googly and the batsman read it well. Punches it straight to extra cover.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Flatter and on off, McBrine goes back and blocks it onto the ground. Consecutive maidens.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. On the stumps again and it is blocked out again.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Darts it on the stumps and the batsman defends it.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Was that a chance? Not sure! This is fired into the pads. McBrine looks to defend but he seems to have missed it. It hits his pads and goes uppishly past the fielder at short leg.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Tosses it up on off, the batsman defends it onto the ground.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Blocks the last ball of the over by going on his front foot. Maiden over for Waqar to start his spell.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Floated on off, driven to extra cover.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Similar delivery, similar result.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Flighted ball on middle, watchfully defended.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Plays this full ball straight towards the bowler.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Starts his over with a tossed up delivery outside off, driven towards extra cover.

Waqar Salamkheil is into the attack now.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. The straighter ball and it comes in with the angle. The batter manages to defend it.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Fires it on middle, blocked.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. On the stumps and goes back to bowling it flatter. It is kept out.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Gives it a lot of air but bowls it very full outside off, McBrine hits it through covers and takes two.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. On the stumps and it has been blocked out.

Mohammad Nabi to Stuart Thompson. OUT! Nabi once again strikes on the first ball of his over. Thompson walks back now! Ireland are now 7 down. The straighter one this time from Nabi. ST looks to play outside the line, he gets an inside edge onto his pads and the ball lobs to short leg. Shahidi there takes a sharp chance.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. Driven towards the mid off region.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. Thompson is finally off the mark with a couple. It took him 27 balls to get his first run. Drives this full ball down the ground towards long off.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. Pitching on leg and turning in, the ball goes down the leg side and the keeper collects it. Rashid appeals and the keeper follows but the umpire denies as there was no bat involved.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. Tossed up delivery outside off, defended off the front foot.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. On the stumps again but it has been blocked again.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. On the stumps and the batsman is solid in defense.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Works it with the turn to mid-wicket.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Tosses it up on off, Dockrell lunges and blocks it out.

George Dockrell is the new man in.

Mohammad Nabi to Kevin O'Brien. OUT! Another one bites the dust! The bowling change does the trick. A body blow for Ireland as Kevin O'Brien walks back. This one pitches on off and turns back in. Kevin does not play for the turn and gets hit on the pads. An appeal follows and then umpire raises his finger. Into the lower-order now are Afghanistan. They will look to bundle the visitors below 100 now.

Mohammad Nabi is back.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. BEATEN! Perfect! The googly on off, it pitches and then turns away. Thompson looks to defend but gets beaten.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. Another extremely full ball on off, ST drives it to covers. Rashid is bowling too full here. He needs to shorten his length a little.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. A full toss but Thompson does not take full toll of it. He drives it nicely but finds mid off.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. Very full on off, Thompson strokes it towards cover-point.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. Tosses it up on middle, the batter lunges and defends it.

Wafadar Momand to Stuart Thompson. Leg bye! Another ball pitching outside leg, Thompson fails to connect and it hits his pads. They pick up a run. Leg Bye signaled.

Wafadar Momand to Stuart Thompson. The batsman has been struck on the pads as he looked to play that off the front foot. The fielding side is asking the question. Replays show it is pitching outside leg.

Wafadar Momand to Stuart Thompson. The batsman shoulders arms to this length ball.

Wafadar Momand to Stuart Thompson. Full ball left alone by the batsman.

Wafadar Momand to Stuart Thompson. Back of a length delivery, Thompson tries to play it on the on side but the ball takes the edge off the bat and falls on the ground.

Wafadar Momand to Stuart Thompson. Full ball angling away, Thompson tries to drives but fails to connect on this one. The ball misses the bat and goes straight to the keeper.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. Down the leg side, Kevin looks to flick but misses. The keeper fails to collect it but the fielder at leg slip dives to his right and stops it. Saves a few runs for his side.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. The yorker on middle, Kevin jams it out.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. A little too full on middle, O'Brien pushes it back to the bowler.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. Another googly, Kevin looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. The googly on off, KOB prods forward and blocks it out.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. A full toss there, Kevin flicks it through mid-wicket and takes two.

Wafadar Momand to Stuart Thompson. Full ball pitching on middle. Thompson tries to play it on the on side but misses and gets hit on his pads. The bowler appeals for an lbw. But it is going down the leg side.

Wafadar Momand to Stuart Thompson. Defends this length delivery by getting right behind the line of the ball.

Wafadar Momand to Stuart Thompson. Changes angle on this ball, bowls it short outside off. Watchfully defended by the batsman.

Wafadar Momand to Kevin O'Brien. Leg bye! Full ball going down the leg side, O'Brien tries to clip it but it hits his pads and goes to the keeper. They take a run.

Wafadar Momand to Kevin O'Brien. Bowls this one outside off, O'Brien punches it to the off side for no run.

Wafadar Momand to Kevin O'Brien. Length ball angling in, defended off the back foot.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. BEATEN! The googly and on off, it pitches and turns away. Thompson looks to defend but gets beaten. Another maiden by Rashid.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. Goes back to bowling it on the stumps, ST defends it onto the ground.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. Shortish and outside off, Thompson cuts it but finds point. The batter will be disappointed he did not put that away.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. Thompson gets right behind the line of the delivery and keeps it out.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. Another one on the stumps and it has been defended.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. On the stumps, blocked out.

Wafadar Momand to Kevin O'Brien. Full ball outside off, punched straight to the covers.

Wafadar Momand to Kevin O'Brien. Driven off the front foot to the fielder at cover.

Wafadar Momand to Kevin O'Brien. Goes on the back foot and plays it with soft hands to the ground.

Wafadar Momand to Kevin O'Brien. Full ball driven on the on side.

Wafadar Momand to Kevin O'Brien. Changes the line this time, pitches it just outside off. The batsman tries to punch it, but the ball goes just past his outside edge straight to the keeper.

Wafadar Momand to Kevin O'Brien. Length ball pitched way outside off, the batsman shoulders arms.

Wafadar Momand is back on.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. Another defensive stroke to end Rashid's first. A double-wicket maiden. Brilliant stuff from him.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. On the stumps and it is kept out once again.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. Flatter and on off, it is defended.

Stuart Thompson is out to bat.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Poynter. OUT! Two in three balls for Rashid Khan. Ireland have half their side back in the hut. Nothing great about this delivery though. He bowls a low full toss on the stumps. Poynter fails to put bat on ball. It hits him on the boot. An appeal follows and the umpire raises his finger straightaway. Rashid is up and running in celebration. SP walks back without troubling the scorers.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Poynter. The batsman fails to put bat on ball.

Stuart Poynter is the new man in.

Rashid Khan to James McCollum. OUT! Rashid strikes on his very first ball. Too good for the debutant who does not last at the crease for long. The googly does the trick for Rashid. He lands it on off and gets it to turn back in. McCollum does not pick it and ends up playing outside the line. It sneaks between the gap of bat and pad and hits the off pole.

Rashid Khan comes on now. Things keep getting difficult for the visitors here.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Kevin O'Brien. FOUR! Easy-peasy! On the pads, Kevin says thank you so much and he flicks it through mid-wicket. O'Brien is the key here for Ireland if they are to get to a good total.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Kevin O'Brien. Slightly short and outside off, KOB looks to cut but mistimes it.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Kevin O'Brien. Nicely played! Waits for the ball to come to him and then guides it through point. Takes a couple. 50 up for the visitors. They have lost three wickets though.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Kevin O'Brien. A huge shout but the umpire shakes his head! That seems to be slipping down leg. Another one of those big inswingers. The line though is once again a little too straight. Kevin looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Kevin O'Brien. Back of a length on off, KOB pushes it off the back foot to covers.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Kevin O'Brien. Length and around off, O'Brien defends it.

Mohammad Nabi to James McCollum. Back of a length delivery turning back in, the batsman fails to get bat on that one and is hit on the pad. The fielder at short leg takes it by diving to his right. A strong appeal from the bowler and fielders. The umpire shows no interest in the appeal.

Mohammad Nabi to James McCollum. McCollum goes on the back foot and defends it on the on side.

Mohammad Nabi to James McCollum. Plays this one of the front foot and drives it towards covers.

Mohammad Nabi to James McCollum. The batsman works it down the leg side. No run scored.

Mohammad Nabi to James McCollum. FOUR! LUCKY! Tries to defend this full ball, but it takes a thick outside edge and goes just past the fielder at first slip. Not a confident way to start his innings, but he will take that.

Mohammad Nabi to James McCollum. Tossed up on middle, the ball spins in and goes down the leg side.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Kevin O'Brien. FOUR! Poor delivery to a new batsman. Down the leg side, O'Brien works it fine and it races away to the fine leg boundary.

Kevin O'Brien is next to bat.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Andy Balbirnie. OUT! BOWLED 'EM! Three wickets in three overs for Afghanistan. From 37 for 0, Ireland are now 41 for 3. Excellent delivery this. It comes back in a long way from outside off and also skids through after pitching on a length. Balbirnie is late in getting his bat down. The ball clips the pad and then knocks the off pole. The man-in-form in the ODIs for Ireland walks back for single digit. The visitors in big trouble here.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Andy Balbirnie. Full ball on the pads, Balbirnie tries to defend but it hits the toe end of his bat and the ball rolls towards mid on.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Andy Balbirnie. Pitched outside off, the batsman shoulders arms.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Andy Balbirnie. Shows the full face of the bat to this full ball. It goes to the fielder at extra cover.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Andy Balbirnie. Length ball on off, punched to the cover fielder.

Mohammad Nabi to James McCollum. On the stumps again, it is kept out. Another successful over for Afghanistan comes to an end.

Mohammad Nabi to James McCollum. On the stumps, McCollum lunges and defends it onto the ground.

James McCollum, the debutant, is the new man in.

Mohammad Nabi to William Porterfield. OUT! Nabi strikes! Wickets in quick succession for the hosts. Both the openers back in the hut now. Good delivery this by Nabi. He pushes it through and lands it around middle, gets it to straighten a touch. Porterfield looks to play it across the line and that brings about his downfall. He misses and it hits him on the pads. An appeal follows and the umpire raises his finger. All of a sudden Ireland find themselves in a spot of bother.

Mohammad Nabi to William Porterfield. Goes on the backfoot to this length ball, the ball takes the inside half of the bat and rolls towards covers.

Mohammad Nabi to William Porterfield. Comes down the track to this full ball, defends it towards cover.

Mohammad Nabi to William Porterfield. Tossed up delivery on off, watchfully defended.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Andy Balbirnie. FOUR! EDGY! Once again it is in the corridor of uncertainty. Balbirnie pokes at it and gets an outside edge. It lands just short of the fielder at second slip who fails to stop it. A boundary to finish but a successful over for Afghanistan.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Andy Balbirnie. On the off pole, Balbirnie blocks it out.

Andy Balbrinie is the new man in.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Paul Stirling. OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! The high-flying opening stand has been broken. Yamin draws first blood and the Afghans are pumped up. However, one would feel, Stirling did not have to play at that one. It is on a length and outside off, Stirling pushes at it with hard hands but only manages an outside edge and keeper behind makes no mistake. Stirling's breezy knock comes to an end. He will be disappointed as he was looking good out there.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Paul Stirling. This is angled on the pads, Stirling works it to mid-wicket.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Paul Stirling. Outside edge but once again it is well short. Soft hands again. Length ball and around off, Stirling plays inside the line and the ball takes an outside edge. It goes towards first slip but on the bounce.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Paul Stirling. Stirling works it with the angle to the man at mid on.

Mohammad Nabi to William Porterfield. Another full ball, Porterfield plays it to the ground. Maiden over for Nabi, to begin with.

Mohammad Nabi to William Porterfield. Similar delivery, similar result.

Mohammad Nabi to William Porterfield. Tossed up onto his pads, defended off the front foot.

Mohammad Nabi to William Porterfield. Full outside off, left alone.

Mohammad Nabi to William Porterfield. Tossed up on off, Porterfield gets an inside edge onto his pads. Nabi appeals but the umpire denies.

Mohammad Nabi to William Porterfield. Starts his spell with a flighted delivery outside off, driven straight to extra cover.

Mohammad Nabi is on now.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Paul Stirling. Well fielded! But once again a poor delivery that. Full and outside off, Stirling leans into the stroke and hits it towards cover. The fielder there dives to his right and makes a good stop. Saves a boundary there.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Paul Stirling. Another one in the line of off stump and on a length. Stirling prods forward and pushes it to mid off.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Paul Stirling. Good line and length! On off again and it lands behind the driving area. All Stirling can do is block it out.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Paul Stirling. On the 5th stump channel, Stirling guides it to point.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Paul Stirling. Good length and on off, no swing this time. Stirling lunge and keeps it out.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Paul Stirling. A big booming inswinger but the line is a little too straight. Stirling looks to flick but misses. He gets hit on the front pad.

Wafadar Momand to William Porterfield. Back of a length ball outside off, Porterfield shoulders arms. Only a boundary from this over.

Wafadar Momand to William Porterfield. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. 4 dots in a row.

Wafadar Momand to William Porterfield. Porterfield goes for the pull but misses to connect.

Wafadar Momand to William Porterfield. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Wafadar Momand to William Porterfield. Length ball, hits Porterfield on his thigh pads.

Wafadar Momand to William Porterfield. FOUR! Fuller in length this time, driven straight towards the bowler. He gets his hand to it, but the ball goes straight behind him to the long on fence.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Paul Stirling. FOUR! Third in the over! Another cracking stroke. Length and outside off, Stirling is loving it there at the moment. He strokes it through covers and bags another boundary. End of an excellent over and Ireland are off to a flier.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Paul Stirling. FOUR! Creamed through the off side. Ahmadzai is guilty of providing width again. Stirling pounces on it and hits it through extra cover. No need to run for those. PS is dealing in boundaries here.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Paul Stirling. Goes back to bowling it on the stumps, Stirling works it towards mid on.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Paul Stirling. FOUR! That has raced to the fence like a tracer bullet. Length and outside off, Stirling caresses it through covers and the ball races away to the fence.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Paul Stirling. Appeal but nothing from the umpire! This is outside off, Stirling throws his bat at it but seems to have missed it. The Afghanistan players appeal but the umpire shakes his head.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Paul Stirling. Angles this one into the batsman, Stirling strokes it to mid on.

Wafadar Momand to William Porterfield. Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 7 from this over.

Wafadar Momand to William Porterfield. Pitching outside leg, Porterfield tries to work it on the leg side. The ball hits his pads and goes fine. They manage to come back for a second.

Wafadar Momand to Paul Stirling. Flicks this one off his pads on the leg side. A run added to the total.

Wafadar Momand to Paul Stirling. FOUR! Length ball outside off, punches it off the back foot through extra cover. The ball races away to the fence. Boundary signaled.

Wafadar Momand to Paul Stirling. Straight on middle, plays a drive towards mid on.

Wafadar Momand to Paul Stirling. Full ball outside off, swinging way back in. Stirling tries to defend but gets beaten and it hits his pads. Wafadar appeals but the umpire shakes his head. Probably height might be the factor.

Yamin Ahmadzai to William Porterfield. Ends the over with a delivery on the stumps. Porterfield is solid in defense.

Yamin Ahmadzai to William Porterfield. Once again on the pads, it skids through after pitching. Porterfield looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

Yamin Ahmadzai to William Porterfield. FOUR! Two excellent deliveries and then the pressure is eased off with this poor one. Down the leg side, Porterfield gets bat to it, manages to work it fine on the leg side and bags a boundary.

Yamin Ahmadzai to William Porterfield. EDGED BUT SHORT! Once again Ahmadzai makes very good use of the angle there. He lands it on off and then gets it to shape away. Porterfield ends up playing inside the line but gets an outside edge which goes on the bounce to the fielder at first slip. The key there was that he played it with soft hands and hence the ball did not carry.

Yamin Ahmadzai to William Porterfield. BEATEN! Good use of the angle there. On off and slants away from the batsman. Porterfield tries to defend but gets beaten.

Yamin Ahmadzai to William Porterfield. On the off pole, it is defended.

Wafadar Momand to Paul Stirling. On the stumps this time and on a length. PS defends it out. End of a good over for Ireland.

Wafadar Momand to Paul Stirling. FOUR! Consecutive boundaries! The wicket seems to be a belter. This is a length ball but there is width on offer. Stirling drives it on the up, gets it into the gap through covers for a boundary.

Wafadar Momand to Paul Stirling. FOUR! First boundary of the day! Full and on off, a half volley. Stirling leans into it and strokes it through covers. No stopping that.

Wafadar Momand to Paul Stirling. The batsman has pushed it to the cover region.

Wafadar Momand to Paul Stirling. On the off pole, the batter strokes it to mid off.

Wafadar Momand to Paul Stirling. Shortish and outside off, Stirling looks to cut but ends up chopping it to the keeper.

Wafadar Momand to bowl from the other end.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Paul Stirling. A single to end the first over as Stirling works it around the corner. He also gets off the mark.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Paul Stirling. Driven on the up now but once again to a fielder! Length and around off, Stirling strokes it to the man at covers.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Paul Stirling. Solid drive! Goes fuller in search of some swing but there ain't any. Stirling lunges and strokes it nicely to mid off.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Paul Stirling. On a length and around off, Stirling blocks it out.

Yamin Ahmadzai to William Porterfield. Ireland are underway! A little too straight this time, Porterfield works it towards mid on and takes a run.

Yamin Ahmadzai to William Porterfield. Starts off with a good length ball outside off, the batsman lets it be.

We are all set for the action to begin. The Irish openers, William Porterfield and Paul Stirling make their way out to the middle. Yamin Ahmadza to start the proceedings for the hosts. Here we go...

TEAM NEWS - Quite a few debutants today. For Ireland, there are 4 players making their debut - Stuart Poynter, George Dockrell, James McCollum and James Cameron-Dow. For Afghanistan - Ihsanullah Janat, Ikram Ali Khil and Waqar Salamkheil.

Toss - Ireland have won the toss and they elect to bat first.

JUST IN - A very disturbing news coming in from Christchurch. The third Test between New Zealand and Bangladesh has been cancelled following the shooting at a mosque in Christchurch. Our condolences to the loss of lives. We pray for the situation to get better soon.

After an exciting ODI series it is now time for the longer format. The only Test will be played in the same ground where the ODIs and the T20Is were played. The visitors have winning momentum on their side but this is a different format. The hosts are still favourites heading into this game. However, both the sides will be eager for their first Test win so we can surely expect a close contest.

Thus, there is a lead of 142. It is surely a good and handy one to have on this surface which is only expected to deteriorate with time. Afghanistan's spinners will be licking their lips and it is all up to the Irish batsmen to put their head down and bat well in their second innings. Will they? We will have to wait and watch... Resumption in a bit.

As for the bowling of the visitors, they looked set to be in for a long toil after a wicketless first session. The second new ball though brought them relief as Afghanistan lost their last 7 wickets for just 88 runs. All the bowlers used were among the wickets other than Kevin O'Brien. Thompson stood out with three wickets.

The innings was about three batsmen who reached their respective maiden fifties in Test cricket. Hashmatullah Shahidi was an epitome of patience while Asghar Afghan was the attacking batsman at the end. The main and the best batsman of the innings though would have to be Rahmat Shah who played beautifully but was unfortunate to have fallen 2 short of his ton. The rest of the batsmen got starts and had bits and pieces innings but could not carry on, hence the hosts ended with 314.

The Irish would be really happy with the way things have gone in the last two sessions at least. There was a chance that they could have been staring at a really big lead but the second new ball has done the trick for them and the lead has been restricted to 142.

Stuart Thompson to Wafadar Momand. OUT EDGED! TAKEN! Afghanistan have been bowled out. The last batsman falls to a short ball pitching on middle and climbing onto his body. He tried to play it off the back foot but ends up edging it straight to Balbirnie at first slip who makes no mistake in taking it. The umpire goes upstairs to check if it was a fair delivery. Replays show there was some part of his foot behind the line. Fair delivery and the batsman is out.

Stuart Thompson to Wafadar Momand. A length delivery on off, Wafadar drives the ball crisply straight to mid on.

Stuart Thompson to Wafadar Momand. Full on off, defended with the straight bat.

Tim Murtagh to Wafadar Momand. Fuller in length and driven to mid off. The fielder is slow in reacting and the batsman steals a single.

Tim Murtagh to Waqar Salamkheil. Punched of the back foot and played to the covers. One run taken.

Tim Murtagh to Waqar Salamkheil. Defends this straight into the ground.

Tim Murtagh to Wafadar Momand. Bye! Goes for the pull on this one but fails to get bat on ball. They take a run. Bye signaled.

Tim Murtagh to Wafadar Momand. Wafadar tries to heave this over mid-wicket but gets it of the inside half of the bat and straight to short mid-wicket. No run.

Tim Murtagh to Wafadar Momand. Full on off, defended off the front foot.

Stuart Thompson to Waqar Salamkheil. Slightly fuller this time on the off stump, Waqar comes ahead and defends it onto the ground.

Stuart Thompson to Waqar Salamkheil. On a length outside off, Salamkheil defends from the crease.

Waqar Salamkheil is the number 11 bat.

Stuart Thompson to Asghar Afghan. OUT! That is the end of the Afghanistan skipper. A length ball wide outside off, Afghan chases after the ball and looks to cut it but gets a thin under edge as the ball goes through to the keeper who takes a good low catch. End of an entertaining innings, the Irish can now hope to restrict the lead under 150.

Stuart Thompson to Asghar Afghan. A length delivery on leg and middle, Afghan keeps that away with the use of his wrist.

Stuart Thompson to Asghar Afghan. Back of a length, defended with ease.

Stuart Thompson to Asghar Afghan. Full length delivery on middle and leg, Afghan keeps it away.

Stuart Thompson is on to bowl now.

Drinks Break! It has been a decent session for both sides but the Afghans will be the happier ones. Their lead has swelled up to 139 runs and they will hope to add as many as possible for the last two wickets. Meanwhile, the tourists would like to clean off the last two as soon as possible because these lusty blows might come later to haunt them. The final period of play of the day to follow...

Tim Murtagh to Wafadar Momand. A fuller length delivery, almost a yorker on off. Wafadar managed to put the bat down in time and keeps it away.

Tim Murtagh to Wafadar Momand. Full outside off, Wafadar fails to put his bat on that.

Tim Murtagh to Wafadar Momand. Full on middle and leg, Wafadar keeps it away.

Tim Murtagh to Wafadar Momand. A full length delivery pitching outside off, Wafadar almost falls for the trap and gets beaten.

Tim Murtagh to Wafadar Momand. A length delivery on middle and leg and Wafadar defends it.

Tim Murtagh to Wafadar Momand. A short of a length ball on around off, defended towards the cover region.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. SIX! Huge, that is really big! A flighted ball on middle, Afghan comes down the track and lifts the ball way over long on for a maximum. The field was up and the Afghan skipper took the invitation.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Short and wide outside off, Afghan pushes it towards point.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Flighted on the middle stump line, Asghar comes ahead and defends the ball back to the bowler.

George Dockrell to Wafadar Momand. Shorter this time outside off, Momand looks to cut but gets the ball off the inside half and away from the slip fielder for a single.

George Dockrell to Wafadar Momand. Flighted outside off, pushed towards cover by Wafadar away from his body.

George Dockrell to Wafadar Momand. Flatter one outside off, pushed back towards the bowler.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. FOUR! Now he is just playing around with the Irish bowling attack. The bowler is not impressed. A length delivery on middle and off, Asghar makes room early and lifts it above mid off for another boundary. Afghan is wasting no time here to score runs. He is trying to hit almost every ball. Does he have a declaration in mind here?

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. FOUR! 300 up for Afghanistan! A length ball on off, Asghar makes room and smashes it hard above the mid off fielder for a boundary.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Full on off, blocked with ease.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Pitching fuller on off, Afghan blocks it.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. A length ball on off, defended with ease.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. A back of a length delivery on off, angled in for Asghar and he defends it with ease.

Tim Murtagh to bowl now.

George Dockrell to Wafadar Momand. Prods forward and keeps this one out.

George Dockrell to Wafadar Momand. FOUR! LOFTED! The tail ender is in action now. Sees a tossed up ball pitched on off, goes in with the shot and lofts it high over mid-off. The ball races away to the fence after a bounce.

George Dockrell to Wafadar Momand. Comes forward and blocks it with ease.

George Dockrell to Wafadar Momand. Momand defends it from within the crease.

George Dockrell to Wafadar Momand. Flights this one, Momand drives it straight to mid-on.

George Dockrell to Wafadar Momand. Tossed up on off, blocked firmly.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. No run.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. SIX! Handsome shot! And that's his fifty, captain leading from the front. A floated delivery on off, Afghan dances down the pitch and lifts it above the bowler's head for a maximum.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. A good comeback by the bowler. Full on off and Asghar defends it with ease.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. SIX! Asghar is looking to extend the lead as big as possible now. A flighted delivery on off and Asghar dances down the wicket and gets to pitch if the ball and connects well and lifts it above mid on for a huge hit. Six runs added to the total.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. A back of a length on off, defended by Asghar.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Full on off, defended with ease.

George Dockrell to Wafadar Momand. A front foot defense to this flighted ball outside off. Momand does well.

George Dockrell to Wafadar Momand. Pushed towards point off the back foot.

Wafadar Momand is the next batsman in.

George Dockrell to Yamin Ahmadzai. OUT! Another one falls to the spin of Dockrell. Ahmadzai the man in question this time. A flatter one on middle, the batsman looks to defend but fails to put bat on ball as he plays down the wrong line. It raps the pad in front of leg stump, the fielders appeal and the finger goes up in an instant. Looked like it may have missed the leg stump to the naked eye but it doesn't matter now.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Flighted outside off, Asghar comes ahead and defends the ball onto the ground towards the off side. Single taken.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. FOUR! Well done! A flatter one and straying down on the pads, Afghan works it really fine and beats short fine leg. A boundary results as the fielder cannot reach the ball.

George Dockrell to Yamin Ahmadzai. Flatter one and really full on middle, Ahmadzai hits it wide of mid on for a single.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Shorter in length this one, Afghan goes on the back foot and plays it to the off side.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Tossed up on off, driven straight to mid on.

Andy McBrine to Yamin Ahmadzai. Ahmadzai punches this one on the front foot to the covers. The batsman take a single in the process.

Andy McBrine to Yamin Ahmadzai. Defends this one by getting right behind the line of the ball.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Floated this one on middle and Afghan clips to the mid-wicket region for a single.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Flighted on off, Afghan strides forward and blocks it.

George Dockrell to Yamin Ahmadzai. Tossed up on off, pushed towards covers. Dot to end the over.

George Dockrell to Rashid Khan. OUT! Plumb LBW. And that's how I make a comeback says the bowler. A quicker one this time, pitched on middle and leg and turned in for the right-harder. Rashid tried to defend it but the ball missed his bat and stuck hard on Rashid's pads. Irish gave a loud appeal and the umpire declared that out. The replay shows that Rashid's bat didn't come down in time, and the bat got stuck. He makes his way back thus, and is replaced by Yamin Ahmadzai.

George Dockrell to Rashid Khan. SIX! And that brings the 100-run lead for the Afghans. Beauty shot that! A flighted delivery that was asked to be hit. The ball pitched on off and a good length area. Rashid dances down the track and lofts it above covers with the spin.

George Dockrell to Rashid Khan. FOUR! A flighted delivery, pitched on off, Rashid just drags it from the off and sweeps it to the vacant square leg area and thats a boundary.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. A length delivery on off, Asghar just taps it to the covers region and runs for a single.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Full on off, defended with ease.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Flighted on middle, the Afghan skipper walks down the track and flicks it slightly uppishly towards the right of mid-wicket. A single is taken and he retains strike.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. A touch shorter this time, worked towards square leg off the pads. No run though.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Full and outside off, pushed to cover by Afghan.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Really full this time, AA looks to flick it away but the ball goes on to his shoe after the ball. The ball goes towards the bowler.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Flatter on middle, worked towards mid-wicket by Afghan.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Flatter one on the pads, turned away towards the leg side by Asghar towards fine leg.

George Dockrell to Rashid Khan. Leans forward to this ball and shows the full face of the bat.

George Dockrell to Rashid Khan. Tossed up on off, played on the front foot.

George Dockrell to Rashid Khan. Goes back on this ball and punches it to the cover region. Another dot.

George Dockrell to Rashid Khan. Perfect timing on this one, but driven straight to the covers.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Driven through the covers, finds the gap beautifully. A run completed.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. FOUR! Smacked! Hits this flighted ball straight down the ground. One bounce and into the fence. The skipper is in action now. Can he bat with the tail and get a sizable lead in the innings?

Andy McBrine to Rashid Khan. Changes the angle and comes from over the wicket. Tossed up on off, played away to the short mid-wicket fielder.

Rashid Khan is next to bat.

Andy McBrine to Ikram Ali Khil. OUT! BOWLED! A beautiful delivery. A flighted delivery, just as planned it seems. We saw the same approach on the previous delivery, almost same air to the ball, pitched fuller on off and middle line. Khil was just looking for a flick, but missed the ball completely as he yorks himself getting too close to the ball, with the leg stump getting hit. McBrine has deserved this wicket and the young debuntant, Khil has to walk back to the pavilion. Ireland now into the bowlers.

Andy McBrine to Ikram Ali Khil. A beautiful loopy delivery on off, Khil going for a wristy flick around thhe mid on region but gets an edge, just falls short to bowler.

Andy McBrine to Ikram Ali Khil. A quicker one in the air, on off, with fuller length, defended with ease.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. A short of a length delivery on middle and leg, Afghan flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. A flighted delivery on off, defended with ease.

George Dockrell to Ikram Ali Khil. Flighted on off, blocked from within the crease.

George Dockrell to Ikram Ali Khil. Fuller ball, hit hard and straight back to the bowler.

George Dockrell to Ikram Ali Khil. Defended by getting right behind the line of the ball.

George Dockrell to Ikram Ali Khil. Goes on the back foot and plays it to the covers.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Goes on the back foot and plays it to mid on. The batsman takes a single.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Flighted on off coming in, Afghan plays it on the on side but it hits the fielder at short leg.

Andy McBrine to Ikram Ali Khil. Flighted on middle, Khil stays nice and high before timing this ball down the ground past the bowler to his left. A couple of runs are taken.

Andy McBrine to Ikram Ali Khil. Flatter and hurled on the middle stump line, pushed off the back foot towards mid-wicket.

Andy McBrine to Ikram Ali Khil. Flatter and bowled on the middle stump, Khil stands tall and defends the ball with a straight bat.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Quicker through the air on middle, AA works it on the leg side. A quick single is taken.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Flatter one on middle, kept out watchfully by the Afghan skipper.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. FOUR! What a sweep! Took some dust off the pitch as well. A flatter one on the off stump line, Asghar gets real low and sweeps this hard through square leg for a boundary. The 250 comes up for the hosts.

George Dockrell to Ikram Ali Khil. Tossed up delivery on off, defended of the back foot.

George Dockrell to Ikram Ali Khil. Pitches this one full and on leg, Khil sweeps it but straight to the fielder at leg gully.

George Dockrell to Ikram Ali Khil. The batsman rocks back and works it down the leg side. No run scored.

George Dockrell to Ikram Ali Khil. Blocks out this floated ball from the font foot.

George Dockrell to Ikram Ali Khil. Tad shorter this time, defended off the back foot.

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Tossed up on off, Afghan shows the full face off the bat and drives it through covers. One run taken.

Andy McBrine to Ikram Ali Khil. Woahh! Some good spin there! This one is tossed slow and outside off, Khil comes ahead and realises he is foxed by the flight. The ball takes the outside edge as he tries to keep it out away from the body. The ball runs wide of slip for a couple of runs.

Andy McBrine to Ikram Ali Khil. Shorter one outside off, the southpaw goes back and cuts but the ball goes straight to the point fielder.

Andy McBrine to Ikram Ali Khil. Flighted this time on middle, Khil prods ahead and defends this towards the off side.

Andy McBrine to Ikram Ali Khil. Flatter and quicker on middle, Ikram punches it away to cover.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Flatter one on leg stump, pushed back to long on for a single by the Afghan skipper.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Flatter ball on the off stump, Asghar keeps it out towards cover.

Andy McBrine to bowl now from the other end.

George Dockrell to Ikram Ali Khil. Shows the full face of the bat and blocks it out.

George Dockrell to Ikram Ali Khil. Bowls this one a little shorter, Khil is quick to go back and get bat on ball.

George Dockrell to Ikram Ali Khil. Similar delivery, similar result.

George Dockrell to Ikram Ali Khil. Khil plays this off the back foot and keeps it out.

George Dockrell to Ikram Ali Khil. This one is bowled on off, placed towards cover.

George Dockrell to Ikram Ali Khil. Tossed up on off, flicked on the leg side for a dot.

Welcome back for the final session. 33 overs left. Can Ireland make the most of the time remaining? A wicket here and they can enter into the bowlers. George Dockrell to start the proceedings after Tea. Ikram Ali Khil to face. Here we go.

... DAY 2, SESSION 3 ...

Overall, the Afghans are 70 runs ahead and another 30-40 should put them in good stead, with the pitch expected to break up come Day 3. Afghan though, will aim to bat for as long as possible and try and reach that elusive 400. Can Ireland get to bat tonight? 33 overs left in the day. Join us back at 3 pm local (0930 GMT).

A better session for the viewers. 3 wickets means that there was some excitement in the 2-hour period, for 85 runs. Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi threatened to make it another wicketless session before the latter fell to a poor shot. Rahmat then fell agonizingly close to a century while Nabi threw his wicket away.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Almost in the block hole, Afghan digs it out and keeps it to the off side. TEA ON DAY 2, AFGHANISTAN LEAD BY 70!

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Angles this one in from the middle stump line. Afghan plays it to the on side.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Keeps out this ball on the off stump line.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Pitched on off angling in, driven straight to the bowler.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Quicker this time, Afghan goes back and flicks it on the on side.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Fuller on off, blocked on the front foot by Afghan.

Stuart Thompson to Ikram Ali Khil. Landed outside off, driven straight to cover.

Stuart Thompson to Ikram Ali Khil. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

Stuart Thompson to Asghar Afghan. Walks down the track, pushes it towards point and takes a run.

Stuart Thompson to Asghar Afghan. Full and around middle, stays low a touch, flicked through square leg for a couple.

Stuart Thompson to Ikram Ali Khil. Down the leg side, flicked through square leg for a single.

Stuart Thompson to Ikram Ali Khil. Full and wide outside off, driven through the covers for a couple.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Defends this by getting right behind the line of the ball. Dot ball to follow the six.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. SIX! HIGH and HANDSOME! Bowls a length delivery on off, Afghan reads it early and lofts it high in the sky on the on side. The ball just crosses the ropes wide of deep mid-wicket. Second six of the innings.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Fuller this time, driven straight back to the bowler.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Similar length, similar result.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Bowls it just outside off, Afghan plays it off the back foot.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Full ball pitching on off, defended off the front foot.

Stuart Thompson to Ikram Ali Khil. On the leg stump lying once more, Khil looks to glance the ball but misses it. The ball takes the pad before going to the keeper. There is an appeal from the fielders due to the noise but the umpire is not fooled.

Stuart Thompson to Ikram Ali Khil. Fuller length ball on the leg stump, Khil looks to flick but fails to put bat on ball. Is struck near the pad and the players appeal but the umpire says not out. Looked like it would have been going down leg.

Stuart Thompson to Ikram Ali Khil. Wide! Sprayed way, way, way outside off and it is signalled wide by the umpire. Imagine how wide it must be to be signalled as a wide in Tests on the off side.

Stuart Thompson to Ikram Ali Khil. Oooh! Close! Ikram does not look too comfortable playing out there. A length ball on the off stump line, Khil looks to defend that one but gets the inside edge. Luckily for him, the ball hits the pads.

Stuart Thompson to Ikram Ali Khil. Khil has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Stuart Thompson to Asghar Afghan. This one is on the pads, Asghar looks to flick but fails to put bat on ball. There is an appeal as the ball hits the pads but it was going well down leg side. A leg bye is stolen.

Stuart Thompson to Asghar Afghan. On a length outside off, pushed to the point region by Asghar.

Tim Murtagh to Ikram Ali Khil. Length ball on middle, Khil goes on the back foot and plays it to point.

Tim Murtagh to Ikram Ali Khil. Full ball outside off, played off the back foot to the mid-wicket region.

Tim Murtagh to Ikram Ali Khil. The batsman has driven that ball straight back to the right of the bowler.

Tim Murtagh to Ikram Ali Khil. Straighter this time, Ikram moves across and defends it straight to the bowler.

Tim Murtagh to Ikram Ali Khil. Length ball on the pads, defended off the back foot.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Fuller ball angling in on the pads, Afghan nudges it fine on the leg side and takes a run.

Stuart Thompson to Ikram Ali Khil. On a length outside off, pushed towards the point region by Ikram.

Stuart Thompson to Ikram Ali Khil. Fuller length ball, landing on middle and swinging inward. Khil pushes it back to the bowler.

Ikram Ali Khil walks out to bat at number 7.

Stuart Thompson to Mohammad Nabi. OUT! Would you believe it? Nabi has given it right to mid-wicket. Afghanistan lose two in quick succession. A fuller length ball on the pads, Mohammad looks to flick it away but does not keep it down. The ball goes straight to Cameron-Dow who stays low to take a good catch. The bowler pumps his fists in delight. The Irish have found some mojo here with the new ball. Very loose from the hosts on the other hand.

Stuart Thompson to Asghar Afghan. Leg bye! Bowls this one straying down leg, Nabi tries to work it fine but misses to get bat on ball. It hits his pads and goes on the on side. The batsman takes a run. Leg-Bye signaled.

Stuart Thompson to Asghar Afghan. Punched of the back foot to the point region.

Stuart Thompson to Asghar Afghan. Full ball pitching outside off, some away shape on it. Afghan drives it straight to covers.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Nabi. On the middle stump line, worked away towards mid-wicket.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Nabi. Wide outside off, left alone by Nabi.

Mohammad Nabi joins his skipper in the middle.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. OUT! Oh no! He has dragged on! Rahmat is distraught, what have you done? A length ball wide outside off, Shah looks to cut this ball away from his body lazily without much foot movement but the ball goes off the inside edge and onto the middle stump. He looks crestfallen! There is a check for a no ball but no, the bowler makes no mistake while landing. He has to walk away just 2 short of his ton. An anti-climax of sorts, well played though. The lead now reads 54.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Length outside off once more, Rahmat pushes it to cover.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. On a length outside off, defended off the back foot by Rahmat.

Long discussion between the bowler, skipper and Paul Stirling. Oh wait, there is a helmet coming onto the field. There is a very close slip now, probably because of the ball failing to carry to a regulation slip on this surface.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. On a length outside off, Rahmat defends it towards cover.

Tim Murtagh to share the new ball.

Stuart Thompson to Asghar Afghan. Length ball on the pads, the batsman flicks it on the on side.

Stuart Thompson to Asghar Afghan. Full ball swinging away, Afghan pokes at it but fails to get bat on ball. Lucky that it did not take the edge.

Stuart Thompson to Asghar Afghan. Drives it well but to the fielder at covers.

Stuart Thompson to Asghar Afghan. Full ball driven straight to the bowler.

Stuart Thompson to Asghar Afghan. Short ball to follow up a full toss, left alone by the batsman.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. Bowls a full toss to start it off, some away swing on that. Punches it with a stretch of hands, to the point region for a single.

The second new ball is now available. It is taken immediately by the Irish. Stuart Thompson will bowl with it.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Worked away towards the leg side by Afghan. No run though as the ball goes straight to the fielder.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Flatter one on the middle stump, defended back down the ground by AA.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Hurled wide down the leg side, Asghar looks to pull it away but fails to put bat on ball.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Flatter one on the middle stump, pushed to the leg side by the Afghan skipper, Afghan.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Flighted on middle, Shah comes down the ground and pushes the ball to long on for a single. Moves on to 97!

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Flatter one on middle, defended onto the ground by Rahmat.

1 over to go before the second new ball will be available... Meanwhile in the break between the overs, the umpire is seen explaining the reason for giving wides to James Cameron-Dow.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. Afghan goes on the front foot and drives this full ball straight to mid off.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Fuller in length, Shah goes down the track and punches it straight to the right of the bowler. The fielder at long off cuts it out. One run taken.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. Afghan flicks this away with a wristy shot on the leg side. One run added to the total.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Shah goes on the back foot and flicks it of his pads to the on side for a single.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Kept out by Shah. Finally, tosses it up on leg and bowls a legal delivery.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Wide! Another one. 3 wides in a row. Continues to bowl negative, the umpire signals wide.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Wide! Similar delivery, similar result.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Wide! Bowls it outside leg. Negative bowling by Cameron, wide singaled.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. FOUR! On 94 now! Drags this one short and way outside off, Rahmat rocks back and punches it through the covers for a boundary.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Flatter through the air, Rahmat pushes it back towards mid on and runs through for a single. He keeps strike. Rahmat moves into the 90s with this shot.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. A flighted ball on the off stump line, Rahmat comes ahead and dead-bats the ball.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Short and some width outside off, Afghan backs away a little and hits this hard to the left of mid off for a single.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. A good front foot defence from Asghar to this flatter one outside off.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Flatter one on middle, Asghar rocks back and punches it back towards the bowler.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Flatter one on middle, pushed back towards mid-wicket by Afghan coming down the track.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Flighted on off, Shah reads the length and dances down the track to take it as a full toss and plays it uppishly down the ground to complete a brace.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Shah blocks this out off the front foot.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Leans forward and keeps it to the ground.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. Tossed up on leg, Afghan flicks it off his pads to the mid-wicket region for a single.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. Fuller on off, driven to the covers.

James Cameron Dow to Asghar Afghan. Starts his new spell with a tossed up ball on middle, played back to the bowler.

Drinks Break! The Irish have managed to breakthrough the huge 3rd-wicket stand. The runs though are coming nice and easy for the home side. Their lead now is 37 runs. The skipper, Asghar Afghan has joined Rahmat Shah who has looked ominous out in the middle and primed to be Afghanistan's first centurion. The match is pretty much in favour of the Afghans unless they lose wickets in heaps now. James Cameron-Dow to bowl post Drinks.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Flatter one and going down the leg side, Shah sweeps that ball but cannot find the gap. The ball rolls to fine leg.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Flatter one on the off stump, Rahmat stays in the crease and keeps the ball out.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Flighted on the off stump, Afghan comes ahead and defends the ball onto the ground.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Worked off the pads to deep mid-wicket for a single by the skipper. Easy run as the fielder is really deep.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Flatter one on middle, pushed back to shortish mid on.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Flatter one on middle, kept out by Asghar off the back foot towards short leg.

Kevin O'Brien to Rahmat Shah. Full ball outside off, Shah goes on the back foot and punches it to cover-point.

The batsman pulls out... looks like something distracted him there. The bowler is not impressed. Actually on the replay, we see the Kevin was looking elsewhere while running on to bowl. Rahmat moves away.

Kevin O'Brien to Asghar Afghan. Bowls it on the pads, flicks it on the on side for a quick single.

Kevin O'Brien to Rahmat Shah. Shorter in length this time, the batsman pulls it off his back foot to the mid-wicket region. A run taken.

Kevin O'Brien to Rahmat Shah. Length ball on off, driven to the covers. The fielder stops it easily.

Kevin O'Brien to Rahmat Shah. Full ball on off, punched to the covers for no run.

Kevin O'Brien to Rahmat Shah. Shah keeps it out off the front foot.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. FOUR! It was really high in the air but had enough power on it to clear the deepish mid on. A flighted ball outside off, Asghar Afghan goes for the big one over long on but he does not get much distance. The ball goes really high and over the head of a deep mid on who runs backward to try and take the catch. He cannot reach there and the ball goes on to trickle over the rope.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. A length ball outside off, the skipper comes ahead and dead-bats this one.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Tossed up around leg, Rahmat goes for the sweep and gets it of the inside half of the bat. The ball goes to the fine leg region where the fielder gives a chase and manages to stop it just inside the ropes. Three runs given.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Full and outside off again, watchfully kept out.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Comes forward this time and blocks.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Full and around off, defended from the crease.

Kevin O'Brien to Asghar Afghan. Full length delivery outside off, driven to mid on off the toe end of his bat.

Kevin O'Brien to Asghar Afghan. Shorter in length, Afghan rocks back and tries to pull but misses it altogether. The ball goes straight in the keeper's gloves.

Kevin O'Brien to Rahmat Shah. Tad fuller in length, Rahmat moves across and flicks it off his pads to change strike.

Kevin O'Brien to Rahmat Shah. Similar length, pushed to the cover fielder this time.

Kevin O'Brien to Rahmat Shah. Length ball angling in, defended in front of his pads.

Kevin O'Brien to Rahmat Shah. Full and outside off, punched of the back foot to the point fielder.

Andy McBrine to Asghar Afghan. Flatter one outside off first up to the skipper, Afghan pushes it towards mid-wicket coming a little ahead.

Captain Asghar Afghan walks out to the middle.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. OUT! The bowling change has worked! McBrine strikes! A flatter one on middle, Shahidi has a brainfade moment. The ball is really full and Hashmatullah instead of playing with a straight bat, decides to sweep. He misses the ball and is rapped in front of the middle stump. The appeal is a loud one and the finger of S Ravi goes up swiftly. The 130-run stand comes to an end and Shahidi has to depart after a really good knock. Ireland will now look to make use of this breakthrough and pick up a few more really quickly.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flatter one outside off, defended onto the ground.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Loud appeal but the umpire is unmoved! A peach of a delivery. Flighted just outside off and turning away from the southpaw, Shahidi who looks to defend is just beaten by the spin. The ball skims past the outside edge and goes to the keeper.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flighted outside off, pushed back to the bowler by the lefty.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flatter one on the off stump line, pushed back towards the bowler.

Andy McBrine is now back on.

Kevin O'Brien to Rahmat Shah. Length ball punched of the back foot to the cover region.

Kevin O'Brien to Rahmat Shah. Back of a length delivery, guided to the third man region for a single.

Kevin O'Brien to Rahmat Shah. Leans forward on this full ball, played to covers.

Kevin O'Brien to Rahmat Shah. Another length delivery, pushed to the point region.

Kevin O'Brien to Rahmat Shah. Shah defends this off the back foot to the off side.

Kevin O'Brien to Rahmat Shah. Length ball way outside off, guided straight to the hands of the point fielder.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. FOUR! Wide outside off, Hashmatullah cuts it really late and the ball goes really fine to the third man boundary. No chance for any fielder there. An expensive over comes to the end, 10 runs off it.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. A flatter one outside off, pushed away through point for a couple of runs by HS. The batsmen ran well there.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. FOUR! Superb shot! A flighted ball outside off and with some width, Shahidi smashes it through covers. The ball races away to the rope. All too easy for the batsmen now in the middle.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Quicker through the air outside off, Hashmatullah stands in his crease and keeps the ball out.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Pushed back to the bowler showing the full face of the bat by the southpaw.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Slower through the air and full outside off, Shahidi though defends it off the back foot. The ball goes off the outside half and wide of slip.

Kevin O'Brien to Rahmat Shah. FOUR! Straying down the leg stump line, Shah moves across and clips it off his pads to the vacant fine leg region. Boundary signaled.

Kevin O'Brien to Rahmat Shah. Full on leg stump line, plays it straight to mid on. The fielder stops it with ease.

Kevin O'Brien to Rahmat Shah. Defends it presenting the full face of the bat.

Kevin O'Brien to Rahmat Shah. Shah defends it by getting right behind the line of the ball.

Kevin O'Brien to Rahmat Shah. Plays it off the front foot and into the ground.

Kevin O'Brien to Rahmat Shah. FOUR! CRISP and CLEAN! Starts off with a full ball angling away, Rahmat leans forward and drives it cleanly through the gap. What makes it even better is that there were 3 fielders, one at cover, one at extra cover and one at mid off. He trisected them with perfection. No stopping those. It races away to the fence.

Kevin O'Brien comes into the attack now.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flighted outside off, Shahidi comes ahead and defends the ball into the ground.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Flatter one on the pads, flicked away for a single to deep mid-wicket by RS.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Shah has offered no stroke to an incoming delivery which lands outside the leg stump.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. The ball is down the leg side and the batsman wants nothing to do with it. He tries to keep it out with his body.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. FOUR! Good shot! Brilliant placement. On a shorter length outside off and cut away by Rahmat behind point for a boundary. He looks really in full control out there now.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Bowled way down the leg side, Rahmat does not want anything to do with that ball.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shahidi goes on the back foot and cuts it to the cover-point region.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Drives it nicely through the covers but no run taken.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. FIFTY! It has been a slow knock but Shahidi has looked comfortable in his innings. Length ball outside off, Shahidi opens the face of the bat and guides it to third man. The fielder at backward square leg gives it a chase and the batsman complete two.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Blocks this out presenting the full face off the bat.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Similar length, punched towards the covers.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Full on off, defended off the front foot.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. On the leg stump line once more, kept out by Rahmat using his body. 7 runs off this over.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Another one well down the leg side, RS pads it away.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Bowls this down the leg side on a negative line, Shah offers no shot.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. FOUR! Short and punished by Rahmat. On a shorter length and leg stump line, Shah rocks back and pulls it away wide of mid on for a boundary. Afghanistan also go past the Ireland total with this shot, they take the lead for the first time in Test cricket. Runs are flowing now.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flighted outside off, pushed away to deep cover for a single.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Short outside off, Shahidi cuts it late and pushes the ball wide of backward point. A couple is taken. The 100-run stand comes up between these two.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Another dot to end the over. Shah pushes the ball on length and leg stump line back down the ground.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Slightly straighter one and on length, pushed back towards mid on.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. FOUR! Nice timing! A length ball outside off and driven in the gap through the covers by Rahmat. The ball goes to the rope once it beats the infield.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Pushed from the crease towards the point region.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. On the off stump line, Shah comes ahead and dead-bats this one.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Fuller length ball on the leg stump, pushed back towards the bowler.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. The batsman was beaten and missed the line of the delivery.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shahidi has driven it straight down the ground single.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. The batsman plays the pull-shot. The batsmen have run through for a single.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. BEAUTY! That's a RIPPER! Pitches this one on leg and turns it in, Shah was beaten altogether. He had no clue how that gripped off the pitch and beat his outside edge. The ball nearly missed the top of off pole. Poynter collects it quickly and takes the bails off. No trouble there.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Tossed up on leg, played to the on side.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flatter on off, pulled through mid-wicket for a single.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Driven straight to the covers but no run taken.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Shah blocks it out off his front foot.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Similar length, similar result.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Blocked right off the meat of the bat and the ball rolls towards covers.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Clips this length ball off his pads to square leg for a single.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Murtagh bowls it full and on off, Shahidi leans forward and defends it.

Tim Murtagh to bowl from the other end.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Pushed away to deep point off the back foot for a single by Rahmat Shah as he keeps strike.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flighted one outside off, HS defends it onto the ground coming ahead.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flatter one on off stump, Hashmatullah stands tall and keeps the ball out.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flighted outside off, Shahidi comes ahead and pads the ball away.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Flatter one on the middle stump, Rahmat mistimes his pull to long on for a single.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. From over the wicket, Rahmat clears his front foot and defends this onto the ground to this ball on the leg stump.

Welcome back for the second session of the second day. The Irish looked out of ideas in the first session but did well to at least keep the run rate on the lower side. They will need wickets early. Meanwhile, Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah will look to continue the good job they have been doing. The umpires and players are out in the middle, James Cameron-Dow to bowl the first over of the post-Lunch session.

... Day 2, Session 2 ...

So what now? The away side are in a really big spot of bother here. They need wickets in heaps and that too quickly if they are to restrict the Afghanistan lead to a manageable one. The way things are going though, they might be staring at one long day in the field. Will that be the case or can the visitors' bowlers provide some magic? Join us at 1240 local for the post-Lunch session!

The session began slowly when both batsmen were just defending the balls and runs were difficult to come by. After the Drinks break though, the pitch eased out and it seemed the Irish lost their persistence to bowl in good areas. Runs came by easily and the batsmen looked in no trouble at all. As for the bowlers, there is some purchase on the wicket for the spinners but it is slow turn so far and it has been dealt with by the batters.

What a session this has been for the 'hosts', 30 overs bowled and 67 runs scored for the loss of no wickets. They are well and truly on top here, having cut the deficit down to just 15 runs. Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi have ground out the Irish bowlers in the morning session and walk into a well-deserved Lunch break for them. The former got to his fifty, the first-ever by an Afghan in Tests.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shahidi defends this tossed up ball outside off from within the crease. AND THAT WILL BE LUNCH ON DAY 2!

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shahidi flicks this one off his pads to the square leg region. Initially they go for the run but then change their mind mid-way through and go back to their end. Luckily there was no confusion there otherwise a good session for them could have ended in a bad manner with a run out.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Shah punches this one off the back foot to the off side. The deep point runs in quickly and stops it in the cover region. One run completed.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Driven towards mid-off with no intentions of running. Another dot.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Shahs shows full face of the bat and keeps this out.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Floated one outside off, defended straight back to the bowler.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Another appeal and the umpire, S Ravi is unmoved yet again. A flatter one on off stump this time, Shahidi looks to pad the ball away but the turn causes the ball to go really close to the gloves and handle of the bat. The ball though just lobs off the pads and goes towards short leg who pouches it. The Irish are celebrating but the umpire's finger is firmly in his pocket.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. There is an appeal there but the umpire is unmoved! A flighted ball outside off and turning inward. Shahidi prods ahead and pads it away. The ball goes really close to the glove and the face of the bat so there is an appeal after slip takes that ball. The replays though show there was nothing on it.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Lots of air on this one, Rahmat takes that on the full and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shorter length ball on middle, pulled away to deep square leg for a single by the southpaw.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Bowled wide outside off, Shahidi covers the line of the ball and then puts his body in the way.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. A flatter one outside off, driven along the ground to deep cover for a single by Shah.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shahidi goes back to this full ball and blocks it straight to the bowler.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Prods forward and keeps it out.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Shah drives this full ball straight to long on for a single.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Similar line and length, Shah played it to short mid-wicket this time.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Floated on off, punched back to the bowler.

Andy McBrine to bowl now.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. FOUR! Brilliant shot against the spin. Flighted well outside off, Shahidi leans into the drive. The ball was too close to the batsman for any turn to happen and it is pushed away wide of cover for a boundary. That brings up the 150 for the Afghans! The deficit is just 20 now.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Slower through the air this time but way outside off. The ball causes an explosion once more as it turns but the line was bad so no worries. Shahidi comes to the line and then offers no shot, padding the ball away.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flatter one on the off stump, pushed back towards the bowler.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flighted outside off, pushed back towards the bowler.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Much better from Dow! A lenght ball tad outside off and it turns sharply inwards, Hashmatullah manages to keep it out towards short leg.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. FOUR! Poor ball and punished! A drag down outside off, almost half way down the pitch, Shahidi rocks back and pulls it away through square leg for a boundary.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Short ball outside off, Shahidi goes for the pull and gets it of the inside half of the bat. The ball rolls to the mid-wicket region. One run added to the total.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shahidi picked that bouncer early and let it through to the keeper.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Fuller this time, punched off the back foot to the fielder at point.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Length ball on off, defended by getting right behind the line of the ball.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. Clips this full ball off his pads to the fine leg region and they take a run.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. On a length outside off, patted towards cover by the batsman from the crease.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flighted on off and turning in. A bit of bounce on that too, Shahidi manages to keep it out off his front foot.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Driven to the right of the bowler this time. Another dot. There was a puff of dust that rose when this ball landed outside the off stump on the rough.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Punches it straight back to the left of the bowler.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Nudges this tossed up delivery off his pads to the square leg region for an easy single.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Comes forward on this one and plays it to the on side.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Flatter and shorter on off, defended off the back foot.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Length ball outside off, pushed towards a fielder positioned at cover-point.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. On a length and driven back down the ground to mid off.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Good running! A length ball outside off and Shahidi cuts the ball in the gap through point. The batsmen run back for the second and a better throw would have had the batsman at the keeper's end in trouble. 2 runs though are completed.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Slightly fuller this time outside off, driven hard to a cover who is a little deep. No run taken though.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Another one really not rising high, well outside off. Hashmatullah looks to cut but fails to put bat on ball.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Short and wide outside off, keeps a bit low. Shahidi misses the cut and the ball goes through to the keeper.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Shah played that off the front foot and into the ground.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Drives this full ball through the covers for single.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Shorter in length, Shahidi goes in the crease and pulls it to the on side. Porterfield from mid on runs hard and stops it quickly. Just a run taken.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Floated outside turning in, Shahidi goes back and flicks it off his pads to the on side for a single.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Tossed up outside off, defended off the front foot. Replays showed it hit Shahidi first on the pad and then on the bat. No appeal from the bowler as the impact was clearly outside off.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. Well outside off and on a length, Shah comes forward and pats the ball to the off side. Looks for a single but is sent back.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. On a length, eased back down the ground but no run.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Outside off on a length, guided away to deep point for a run by the left-hander.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. Slightly fuller on the pads, the ball is flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. Left alone as the ball was way outside off.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. On a length and middle stump line, defended solidly by Rahmat back down the ground.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Comes forward and keeps this one out.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Drives this tossed up delivery straight to mid off.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Fuller in length, guides to third man for a single.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Blocks this one off the front foot.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. FOUR! FIFTY for SHAH! It is also the first fifty by an Afghan in Test cricket. Other than one or two chances here and there, Shah has looked good in this innings. Can he continue it and get to the 3-figure mark? Coming to the ball, loose delivery outside off to start his over. Rahmat rocks back and pulls it hard to deep mid-wicket for a boundary. No stopping those.

Cameron Dow to bowl for the first time this morning.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. A length ball on top of off, defended by HS on the back foot.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. Pushed off the back foot wide of mid on for a single.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. FOUR! Shot! Probably the shot of the morning so far for me. On the pads and Rahmat just flicks it away nonchalantly through mid-wicket for a boundary. The ball goes to the rope.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. False shot but no risk there! A length ball outside off, Rahmat looks to cover drive this ball but it goes off the inner half and towards mid-wicket.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Short once more outside off, this time Hashmatullah cuts it away to deep point for a single.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. On a shorter length outside off, Shahidi punches the ball towards cover.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. Reads the line of this ball and blocks it straight to the bowler.

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flighted outside off, the batsman rocks back and cuts it to the point region. One run added to the total.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. Driven a full ball straight to mid off and the batsmen scamper for a single.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. FOUR! 50-run stand comes up between Shah and Shahidi! Coming to the ball, it was tossed up outside off, Shah comes down the track and lofts it straight to the long off fence. One bounce and four. Rahmat is getting in the groove now and has started to play his shots.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. Prods forward and blocks it to the off side.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. Tossed up on leg, worked fine on the on side. No run taken.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. On the pads, turned away to the leg side by Shahidi.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. A length ball on middle, punched back to bowler off the back foot.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. This time, the ball is cut in the half for a couple of runs by Hashmatullah.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. On a length outside off, punched towards cover by HS.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Defended off the front foot by Shahidi presenting the full face of the bat.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. A length ball on middle, kept out by the batsman with a straight bat.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. FOUR! Excellent! Flighted delivery on off, Shah reads it early and dances down the track to loft it straight and high above the bowler. The ball goes into the fence after bouncing just inside the ropes.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. Gets right behind the line of the ball and blocks it.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. The batsman charges down the track and plays it straight to mid off.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. Defends this fuller ball straight to the covers.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. Floated on leg stump line, Rahmat tries to sweep but does not connect well. It falls just short of backward short leg.

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Tossed up outside off, pushed off the front foot towards covers. 1 run taken.

Drinks break! The Afghanistan batsmen have dug in in the first hour here. The Ireland bowlers have been relentless and plugged away, though without success. They would like a few wickets as the pitch is expected to ease off now and become better for batting as the afternoon comes upon us. Let us hope for more action in the period of play before Lunch.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. Length ball pitching outside off, punched to the covers to end the over.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. Length ball outside off. Left alone.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. Shoulders arms to this full ball pitching way outside off.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Fuller in length, pushed to the on side. 1 run completed.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Full and on off, Shahidi goes back and plays it straight to the bowler.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Back of a length on off, Shahidi blocks it straight to mid off.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. Driven by RS towards cover to end the over.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. Flighted ball outside off, Shah comes ahead and defends that ball onto the ground.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. A flatter one on middle, defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. Was that a chance? Yep! A flighted one well outside off, Rahmat makes room and looks to hit it over covers but the ball beats bat with the spin on it. The keeper fails to collect and there was a chance of a stumping. There was also a thin inside edge on that but the chance goes begging. The ball runs fine on the leg side for a couple. There was a run out appeal at the keeper's end but the batsman was well in.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. Flatter one on middle, Shah comes ahead and keeps the ball out.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. A little flight on middle, Rahmat has his dancing shoes on and looks to hit this one past the bowler. The ball is not timed too well and goes towards mid on.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Defends this off the front foot to the covers.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Full ball on off, punched off the back foot through the covers. Both the cover fielders give it a chase and Stirling from extra cover manages to stop it with a diving effort just inside the ropes. The batsmen complete a brace in the process.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shorter length this time and on top of off stump, kept out back towards the bowler.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Length ball outside off, Shahidi comes ahead and defends it towards the leg side.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Goes back on this back of a length delivery and pushes it to the off side.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Starts off his day with a length ball on leg stump line. It was angling in, but Shahidi blocks it off the front foot.

Stuart Thompson is now on to bowl.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. A good front foot defense to end the over. Dockrell keeping it nice and tight so far.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. Flighted one on off, Shah comes down the track and takes it on the full. The ball is hit back to mid off. It feels really difficult out there to find the gap.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. A false shot once more from Rahmat! Flighted outside off and Shah comes ahead and looks to drive but the ball goes off the outside half and slightly uppishly towards backward point. No worries though.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. Slight turn on that one after landing on the off stump, Rahmat comes ahead and defends after covering the line of the ball.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. Flatter one on the leg stump line, defended with a straight bat back towards the bowler.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. Flighted ball outside off, driven to mid off on the front foot by Rahmat.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Full ball, flicked off his pads to the on side. A run completed.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Goes on the front foot to block this one.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Defends it by getting right behind the line of the ball.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. In the air ... but safe! Bowls it a tad slower, the ball got stuck in the pitch. Rahmat tried to drive uppishly but hit it in the air at covers. Luckily no fielder was placed there and it was exactly in between the short mid off and the cover fielder.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Similar length, defended off the back foot.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Full ball on off. Rahmat plays a solid forward defence. The ball rolls on and hits the stumps at the non-strikers end.

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Another dot to end the over. Fuller length on middle, pushed back to the bowler by Shahidi coming ahead.

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Similar delivery and similarly kept out from the crease by the lefty.

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Quicker through the air on middle and a bit of inward spin, Hashmatullah stands tall and defends.

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flighted and full on middle, driven off the front foot towards mid on. Good solid timing there!

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flatter ball on the stumps, pushed off the back foot towards mid on.

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flighted outside off, Shahidi comes down the track and hits it hard to mid off. The ball was well timed but not good placement there.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Back of a length delivery outside off, punched of the back foot to the covers.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Another drive but again straight to the fielder at cover. Similar result.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Drives this full ball straight to the fielder at silly mid off.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Pushed this one to mid on off the front foot.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Defended off the front foot to the covers.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Length ball on off, kept out by the batsman.

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flighted ball outside off, the batsman comes ahead and dead-bats this one.

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shorter this time and aimed at the top of off stump, kept out from the crease by the lefty.

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flatter one outside off, pushed away towards point.

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. FOUR! Little air on this and Hashmatullah comes down the track and hits the ball wide of mid on for a boundary. The ball was in the air but well away from the fielder.

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Hurled on the middle stump line, nice and tight. Kept out back down the ground by Shahidi.

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flatter one at the pads, kept out towards mid-wicket.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Prods forward on this full delivery and defends it straight back to the bowler.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. 100 up for the Afghans! Shahidi tries to nudge this full ball on the leg side but gets it off the inside edge of the bat and goes to the fine leg region where the fielder picks it up. 1 run taken.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Goes on the the back foot to this length delivery and keeps it out on the off side.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Comes forward to a full length delivery and defends it to the ground.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Fuller in length, blocked out on the front foot.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Full length delivery pitching on leg, kept out by the batsman.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. FOUR! The first boundary of the day. It comes off the bat of Rahmat Shah. A flighted one on leg stump, Rahmat dances down the track and takes it on the full before hitting it wide of mid on to his right. The ball runs away to the rope.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. The ball is flatter on the off stump, pushed out towards the off side by Shah.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. A flatter one outside off, pushed towards mid off by Rahmat who made room to play the shot. He must have looked to hit it a little more towards cover.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Oooh! In the air... but away from the fielder at short leg. Flatter one outside off and turning inward, Shahidi looks to drive against the spin. The ball goes off the inside edge and wide of short leg uppishly. The batsmen pick up a single towards the left of mid-wicket.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. Flighted outside off, Rahmat drives it hard to deep cover for a single.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Slower one outside off, defended to the covers.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Bowls it full and on off, Shahidi rocks back and drives to the point region but straight to the fielder.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Another dot this one. Blocked by the batsman to the on side.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Pitching outside leg, coming in with the angle, blocked just in front of his pads.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. A bit shorter this time, defended watchfully.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Pitches it on a fuller length angling in, Shahidi lunges forward and defends it.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. Decent delivery to end the over, just outside off and a little turn on offer. RS just gets closer to the ball before pushing it to cover.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. Slightly airy on the leg stump line, Shah comes ahead to flick the ball but fails to put bat on it and gets hit on his pad. The ball though is going down leg and the umpire declines the appeal for the same reason.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. A little shorter this time on the off stump line, pushed towards cover off the back foot by Rahmat.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. Slightly quicker and a tad shorter, the ball grips a bit and turns but the batsman covers the spin and defends it.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. Flatter ball on the off stump line, defended back towards the bowler.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. From around the wicket, some air given outside the off stump. Rahmat drives it to the fielder at cover.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shorter this one and outside off, Shahidi goes back and blocks it out to end the over. 1 from it.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Comes forward to this full ball and plays it with soft hands to the cover region for a single.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Bowls it fuller and outside off, Shah drives it crisply but it goes straight to the fielder at extra cover.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Gets it to come back in just a bit but Rahmat defends it to the covers.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Fuller and just outside off, Rahmat goes forward and blocks it.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Back of a length delivery outside off, defended firmly.

George Dockrell to Rahmat Shah. Flatter one on middle, pushed back down the ground for a single by Rahmat.

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flatter one outside off, cut away to deep point for a single by Hashmatullah. The first run of the day.

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. A good, solid defense on the back foot from Shahidi.

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flatter one outside off and a little turn into the southpaw. Shahidi comes ahead and pads it away offering no shot. The ball runs fine to the right of slip and to the boundary but the umpire signals it as a dead ball as there was no shot offered there.

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Fuller on middle, pushed back to mid on by the lefty.

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Bowled faster on a short length outside off, Shahidi defends off the back foot.

George Dockrell to bowl now, just one over for Andy Mcbrine.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Another maiden. Tad shorter outside off, Shah stands tall and blocks it. Two maidens in a row to start off the day.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Full and on leg, Rahmat shows no interest and keeps it out.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Slower than the last one, Shah prods forward and blocks it to the ground.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Fuller this time, defended off the front foot.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Another length ball but this time going down leg, Rahmat blocks it back to the bowler.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Murtagh starts off his day with a length ball on off, defended easily by Rahmat.

Tim Murtagh to bowl from the other end.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. A front foot defense from Shahidi to end the first over, which is a maiden.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flatter and slightly fuller on the off stump line, Shahidi takes a prod forward and defends the ball.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Quicker through the air outside off, the southpaw keeps it out watchfully.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flatter one just outside the off stump line, Hashmatullah comes ahead and defends the ball onto the ground.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Another one just on the off stump line, the batsman stands in the crease and defends the ball.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flatter one outside off to start off, Shahidi pushes the ball to covers.

We are all set for the first ball of Day 2. Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah to continue batting for Afghanistan whereas Andy McBrine has the ball in hand for Ireland. Let's play...

PITCH REPORT - The pitch expert says that the pitch has runs on offer and that it also has wickets on offer for both type of bowlers. Coming to the surface, he says that there is a tinge of green. As a batsman, he says one must apply themselves to score runs there. As for the bowlers, they will still get help he reckons but in the end, he says that it is all about application.

Rashid Khan is on the sidelines for an interview, he feels that their bowlers did really well to restrict the Irish to 180. He is happy to have just lost 2 wickets by the end of the day. Mentions they are looking to reach a lead of 150 minimum and then take it forward from there. About the pitch he tells us that it took spin as well. Informs us that there was a slight injury to his finger while bowling but hopes he will recover in time to bowl in the second innings.

Welcome to the coverage of action on Day 2 in this one-off Test between Afghanistan and Ireland. The first day was a really fast-paced one and we saw 12 wickets fall. The 'hosts' were well-placed at Stumps and trail by just 82 runs now. They know a couple of good partnerships will propel them into a sizeable lead. The Irish, on the other hand, will need quick wickets to remain in the game. The surface is one which is playing tricks and will only get tougher to bat on. First ball of the day is not too far away...

... Day 2, Session 1 ...

What will the two sides be looking for on Day 2? Afghanistan - they will be looking to get two good stands and that should probably put them in a commanding position in this Test. The visitors will need wickets and that too quickly or they might just face an uphill task getting back into the game. Join us for all the action at 1000 local (0430 GMT). Till then, take care and goodbye.

Earlier in the day, had it not been for the 10th wicket, 87-run stand, between Dockrell and Murtagh, Ireland would be way behind the 8-ball game. They were reeling at 85 for 9 after the Afghan bowlers wrecked havoc. However, a half ton from Murtagh ensured some respectability to their score. Afghanistan's pursuit of taking a lead has started off in good fashion though and at the end of Day 1, it is them who are on top.

Afghanistan's day without a doubt. However, the visitors are not completely out of it. A couple of timely wickets has seen them hang in there. Both have gone to the debutant, Cameron Dow. He first got Ihsanullah for not a lot and then just as when Shahzad started to get going, he dismissed the opener with a fantastic catch. Shahidi and Shah though have ensured there are no more wickets to fall. The two are amidst a 22-run stand and have cut down the deficit to 82 runs.

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. A single to end the day's play as Shahidi slaps it through covers for a run. THAT WILL BE STUMPS ON DAY 1!

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Beaten! Pitches outside off and turns in. Shahidi looks to play at it but fails to read the line of the delivery. In the process, fails to get bat on ball.

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Lands it outside off, Shahidi cuts it superbly to the sweeper cover region. And three fielders race to fetch it. The batsmen collect a brace.

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shahidi defends it firmly onto the ground.

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

George Dockrell to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Tossed up outside off, Shahidi looks to defend but gets an outside edge. It falls just short and to the left of first slip. He does well to stop it.

George Dockrell to bowl what probably is the last over of the day.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. A back of a length delivery, pitched on off, pushed away by Shah towards mid off.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. Full on middle and leg, Shah works it to the leg side.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. A short pitch delivery on off, defended on the back foot.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. A short of a length delivery on off, Shah pushes it to the cover region.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. Length ball on leg, Shah flicks it straight to mid-wicket.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Back of a length delivery, pitched on leg and nibbling down the leg for the lefty, Shahidi wanted to flick but failed, and the ball hits his thigh pad. The ball goes to mid-wicket and batsmen take a run. Leg bye signaled by the umpire.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Shah rocks back and keeps it out. Afghanistan still trail by 86 runs.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Again blocked off boldly by the batsman.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Floated outside off, Shahidi steers it to point and bags a single.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Lands it around leg, blocked firmly.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flatter on middle, Shahidi defends it out to the leg side.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. Length delivery, pitched outside off, left alone by Shah.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. Full on off, defended.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. No ball! ST overstepping on that. A short pitch delivery outside off, Shahidi cuts it to the point region and takes a single.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. A back of a length delivery on off, defended on the back foot.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Short of a length delivery, Shahidi blocks it with ease.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. A back of a length delivery, played straight down to the bowler.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. A short pitch delivery on off, Shahidi was looking for a cut. The ball was too close to the body to play, ends up getting an inside edge onto the ground.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. FOUR! Smashed! Shah charges forward to this and heaves it over the mid on fielder. The ball rolls over the ropes. A boundary results.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Shah charges forward and looks to heave but gets an inside as the ball runs down the square leg region.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Rolls his fingers on this one but pitches it full. Shah defends it firmly.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Floated up on off, the batsman defends it onto the ground.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Short of a good length delivery, Shahidi defends it from the back foot.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Full on off, blocked by Shahidi.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. A back of a length delivery around off, defended.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Full length ball pitched on middle and leg, Shahidi flicks it to mid-wicket.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Down the leg side. Pitched outside leg and shapes away, Shahidi was looking for a flick but fails, a good gather by the keeper.

Stuart Thompson to Hashmatullah Shahidi. A full length outside off, left alone by Shahidi.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Onto the pads, Shahidi flicks it to the square leg region and take a single. The deficit is now 93 runs.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Fullish on middle, defends it firmly.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shahidi prods forward and defends it onto the ground.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flatter and outside off, Shahidi cuts it to point and takes a single. They collect a brace.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. The batsman has punched the ball back to the bowler.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Tossed up around off, Shahidi plants his front foot forward and blocks it.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. Well left. Pitched this one way outside off, Shah shoulders arms.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. Back of a length delivery, pushed to the on side.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. Similar length, this time driven to the cover fielder.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. Full ball outside off, Shah punches it straight to extra cover.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. Length delivery again and the batter defends it onto the ground.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. Pitched on off, it is blocked.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. FOUR! Easy pickings! Short and outside off, Shahidi goes back and slaps it through covers for a boundary.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Outside off, it has been left alone.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Floats it up on middle, Shahidi lunges and defends it out.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. On the stumps, the batter goes back and keeps it out.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Goes back and punches it down to long off for a run.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Short and on middle, it is pulled towards fine leg for a run.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. Dot to end the over. Bit ahead of a full length, Rahmat defends it firmly.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. No ball! Thompson oversteps. Fullish and outside off, Rahmat defends it. An extra ball to follow.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. Outside off again, Rahmat drives it to the covers fielder and a yes-no between the batsmen. Finally they decide not to run.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. Length ball around off, the batsman defends it on his back foot.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. Outside off, Shahidi drives it to covers.

Stuart Thompson to Rahmat Shah. Loud Appeal .... Not Out given! Full ball pitching on leg, goes down with the angle, Shah tries to play it on the on side but misses to get bat on ball. Thompson has a loud appeal on this one for an lbw. The umpire shakes his head.

Stuart Thompson is on now.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Outside off and it has been left alone.

James Cameron Dow to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Floats it up on off, it is kept out. The bowler though has overstepped and it has been called a no ball.

James Cameron Dow to Mohammad Shahzad. OUT! WHAT A CATCH! Ho ho ho, that has stuck. Shahzad can't believe it and a timely wicket this as the partnership was looking threatening. MS uses his feet and absolutely smashes it low towards the bowler. Cameron Dow reacts quickly, gets low and takes it wonderfully. Throws the ball up in the air in delight. He gets his second. Afghanistan now have lost both their openers as Shahzad falls 10 short of a half ton. The hosts trail by another 104 runs.

James Cameron Dow to Mohammad Shahzad. FOUR! OVER! Uses his feet and gets to the pitch of the ball. He lofts it over mid on's head for a boundary.

James Cameron Dow to Mohammad Shahzad. EDGED? Outside off, flattish, Rahmat looks to guide it to off but misses. An appeal from the players but the umpire is unmoved.

James Cameron Dow to Mohammad Shahzad. Another sweep from Shahzad. Outside off, a bit fuller, Shahzad sweeps it neat as the ball runs down the fine leg. A good effort by the fielder to stop it before the ropes. The batsmen take two.

James Cameron Dow to Mohammad Shahzad. Tossed up on leg, pushed back to the bowler.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Plays out the last ball with a front foot defence.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. FOUR! Two in two! Shah rocks back to this short ball and pulls it hard to the deep mid-wicket region. No fielder in that area. Easy boundary.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. FOUR! Beautiful Placement! Hits the ball with the full face of the bat and drives it straight to the right of the bowler. The ball races away to the long on fence. Boundary signaled.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Defended off the front foot straight to the bowler.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Goes down the track on this one and clips it to the fielder at short mid wicket.

James Cameron Dow to Mohammad Shahzad. Tossed up around off, the batter punches it back to the bowler.

James Cameron Dow to Mohammad Shahzad. Lands it outside leg, Rahmat sweeps it behind the keeper and collects a brace.

James Cameron Dow to Mohammad Shahzad. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

James Cameron Dow to Mohammad Shahzad. Shahzad taps it back to the left of the bowler.

James Cameron Dow to Mohammad Shahzad. FOUR! Smartly done by Shahzad. Outside off, opens the face of the bat very late and directs it to the third man region.

James Cameron Dow to Mohammad Shahzad. Flatter on middle, defends it off his front foot.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Full on off, defended watchfully.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. A loopy full length delivery on off, Shah was waiting with a defense stride but gets an outside edge and the ball races away to the third man region. Batsman runs two.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Full on off, defended.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. A flighted delivery on off, blocked by Rahmat.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Full on middle, defended with ease.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. A flat delivery on off, Shahzad taps it from the back foot to the point region and gets a single.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Again a delivery bowled outside leg, Shah looks to sweep but misses. But the keeper does collect it this time.

James Cameron Dow to Mohammad Shahzad. Tossed up on the leg stump, Rahmat looks to sweep but the ball runs down to the mid-wicket region off the top edge. One run added to the total.

James Cameron Dow to Mohammad Shahzad. Shahzad gets an inside edge as the ball runs down to the on side.

James Cameron Dow to Mohammad Shahzad. FOUR! Another boundary for Shahzad and another miss for Poynter. Pitched outside leg, Shahzad sweeps it to the fine leg region and the ball races off to the boundary.

James Cameron Dow to Mohammad Shahzad. FOUR! Bangs up short and gets punished. Shah pulls it to long on for a boundary.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Full on off, blocked by Shah.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Length ball around off, Shah punches it from the back foot to mid off.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Short of a good length ball on off, Shah defends it.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Full on off, defended.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Angled delivery pitched on middle and leg, back of the length, blocked by Rahmat.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. A flat delivery on length around off, defended on the back foot.

James Cameron Dow to Mohammad Shahzad. Around the stumps, the batsman flicks it to the short leg region.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Rahmat defends it to the leg side and steals a quick single.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. FOUR! Outside the leg stump, Shah looks to sweep and gets a fine edge as the ball runs down to the fine leg boundary.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Short and outside off, Shah stands tall and pulls it to mid on.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. Tossed up on middle, defended onto the leg side.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Fuller this time, Shahzad takes his left leg out and places it to the on side.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Tossed on off, kept out by the batsman.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Shahzad plays it to cover with a front foot drive.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Shah plays the on drive to mid on and goes through with the run.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Runs down the track to this full ball and drives it straight to mid on for a single.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Flighted on off, defended off the front foot.

James Cameron Dow to Mohammad Shahzad. full on leg, Shahzad was flicks it to mid-wicket and gets a single.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. A flatter delivery, pitching back of the length, Shah rocks back and punched it to point for a single.

James Cameron Dow to Rahmat Shah. A length ball, pitched around leg, Shah was looking for a sweep but the ball hits his front pad.

Rahmat Shah strides out to the middle.

James Cameron Dow to Ihsanullah. OUT! Cameron Dow draws the first blood. Maiden Test wicket for him and he announces himself in the international scenario. He angled the ball in, the ball pitched in line of the stumps and hit Ihsanullah's pad as he tries to defend. An appeal follows and the umpire agrees. Early wicket for Ireland, just the start they wanted.

James Cameron Dow to Ihsanullah. Full on middle, defended with ease.

James Cameron Dow to Ihsanullah. A bad delivery to start. way down the leg, that is a poor line. Batsman was looking for a paddle sweep and misses it. The ball runs down to the fine leg area for a boundary. The umpire signals four byes.

James Cameron Dow is into the attack.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. SIX! High and Handsome! That's more like Shahzad. He comes down to this tossed up full delivery, gets to the pitch of the ball and lofts it straight over long on. The ball just crosses the ropes.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. FOUR! Goes on the back foot with a pull shot and hits it to the deep square leg region. The fielder at square leg had a chance but once it went past him, there was no stopping it.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Tossed up of off, defended watchfully.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. A length delivery on off, Shahzad just taps to the point region and finishes an easy single.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. Full on off, blocked by Shahzad.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. Length ball on middle and leg, Shahzad put a bit wrist to it and just nudges it to mid-wicket.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. Length delivery on off, defended with ease.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. Full on off, defended.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. A length ball around off, blocked with ease.

Andy McBrine to Ihsanullah. Flicks it away off his pads with a wristy shot.

Andy McBrine to Ihsanullah. Ihsanullah plays a forward defence to this tossed up delivery.

Andy McBrine to Ihsanullah. Goes down and keeps this one out.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Shahzad goes back on this length ball and flicks it through the vacant mid-wicket region. A run completed.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. A forward defence on this one to keep it out.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Tossed up on off, punched straight to the bowler.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. An attacking approach by Ireland by placing two catching fielders in front of the bat. Murtagh bowls a fuller length delivery and Ihsaullah keeps it away.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. A full length delivery, Ihsanullah defends it with ease.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. A length delivery on off, defended by Ihsanullah.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. A full length ball on off, defended with ease.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. Full length delivery on off, batsman blocks it.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. Length ball, pitched around off, defended with ease.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Shahzad goes forward and nudges it on the leg side to the fielder at square leg.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Defends it by getting right behind the line of the ball.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Played on the on side with a flick from his pads.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Defended again in the same way. Shahzad is happy to block everything right now in his innings.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Shahzad plays it out off the back foot to the on side.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Tossed up outside off, defended on the front foot.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. A good comeback delivery, full on off, defended on the front foot by Ihsanullah.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. FOUR! DRIVEN! A full delivery on off, Ihsanullah gets a stride forward and drives it beautifully straight down the ground. The ball touches the ropes for a boundary. Glorious strike that!

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. Full length ball, pitched around off, defended watchfully.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. Length ball on off, blocked by batsman.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. Back of a length delivery on off, Ihsanullah gets on his back foot and defends it.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. Full on off, pushed it to mid on.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. A back foot punch on the final delivery. No run scored.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. FOUR! Off the Mark! Shahzad opens his account with a punch off the back foot to the point region. The point fielder gives it a chase but the ball wins the race. Boundary to start off his innings.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Another dot, played out off the back foot.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Keeps this one out with a forward defence.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Shahzad plays it out with a front foot defence.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Tossed up on middle, defended off the back foot.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. A length delivery, angling in for the righty, Ihsanullah defends it.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. Length ball on off, defended with ease.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. Back of a length, kept out by Ihsanullah.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. Length ball outside off, Ihsanullah leaves it alone.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. Full on middle, defended with ease.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. Length ball on middle and leg, Ihsanullah just nudges it to mid-wicket.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Plays out the last ball with a forward defence straight to the bowler.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Another dot. Played it the same way like the previous one.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Leans forward to this full ball and plays it to the ground.

Andy McBrine to Ihsanullah. Floated ball driven to the cover region for a quick single.

Andy McBrine to Ihsanullah. Defends this one off the front foot.

Andy McBrine to Ihsanullah. Tosses up outside off, turning in, defended watchfully.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. A full length delivery on off, Shahzad blocks it with ease on his front foot.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. Full on off, defended.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. A length delivery on middle and leg, Ihsanullah plays a flick to deep square leg for a single.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. A back of length delivery, batsman gets back on the back foot and blocks it.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. A length delivery on off, Ihsanullah defends it.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. Short of a good length delivery, defended with ease.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Shahzad goes on the front foot to play at this tossed up full length ball.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Similar delivery, similar result.

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad. Shahzad defends this floated ball straight to the bowler.

Andy McBrine to Ihsanullah. Ihsanullah punches it to point for a single. Afghanistan are underway with that run.

Andy McBrine to Ihsanullah. Plays this full ball on the off side.

Andy McBrine to Ihsanullah. Starts his over with a tossed up delivery outside off, punched off the back foot to the covers.

Andy McBrine to bowl from the other end.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. Full length delivery on off, defended watchfully. Maiden over from Murtagh to start the innings.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. Full on off, defended with ease by Shahzad.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. A length ball on off, and Shahzad leans forward with his front foot and plays a text-book defense.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. Outside off, Sahazad shoulders his arms to that.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. Full length on off, defended with ease.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad. Murtagh starts with an inswinger pitching on middle, Shahzad just manages to put bat on that.

Formats change but the bowler remains the same. It's Rashid Khan yet again for Afghanistan to do the damage. He became the first Afghan bowler to pick a Test fifer and has etched his name in the history books. The other bowlers also assisted him well as they finished the job. They though were a bit inconsistent in all the sessions today. Anyway, now it's up to their batters to achieve a historic win. Stay tuned for the chase...

Right then, Afghanistan need 147 runs to get off the mark in Test cricket. Once again their bowlers did an amazing job soon after Tea to remove both George Dockrell and Kevin O'Brien in quick succession. Although they will be disappointed as the last wicket stand once again frustrated them and pushed Ireland's lead close to 150. Earlier in the morning, Andy Balbirnie and James McCollum did brilliantly to put Ireland in a strong position, however their good work got undone post Lunch. Given the nature of the pitch, it's going to be an interesting finish to this Test match.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Tim Murtagh. OUT! It is finally broken! Afghanistan can take a huge sigh of relief. They would have been frustrated surely though, Murtagh tries to pull this short ball and hit it for a six but the ball gets too high on him. It goes off the top edge of the bat and goes high instead of far. Rahmat Shah from deep mid-wicket comes running in, settles under the ball and takes a good catch to end the vital 58-run stand for the final wicket. Ireland end on 288, their second highest total in Tests, with a lead of 146.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Tim Murtagh. FOUR! Slapped! A length ball on middle, Cameron Dow pulls it away through mid-wicket for a boundary and a widish long on cannot come around to stop it.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Tim Murtagh. Bowled wide outside off, the batsman tries to put bat on ball after making room but cannot make contact.

Yamin Ahmadzai to James Cameron Dow. Quick single taken this time! A short ball on middle, JCD stands tall and taps it onto the surface on the off side. A run is stolen as his partner responds quickly.

Yamin Ahmadzai to James Cameron Dow. On a length on middle, James pats it towards cover and looks for a single but sensing the fielder is close to the ball, decides against it in the end.

Yamin Ahmadzai to James Cameron Dow. Length ball on top of off stump, pushed towards the point fielder by Cameron Dow.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. Floated delivery outside off, Murtagh looks to defend but gets beaten due to the drift on this one.

Rashid Khan to James Cameron Dow. Tossed up on middle, Cameron Dow flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Rashid Khan to James Cameron Dow. Flighted delivery on off, James keeps it out.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. Floated on middle, Murtagh flicks it towards square leg for a run.

Rashid Khan to James Cameron Dow. Full on off, Cameron Dow drives it towards covers for a run.

Rashid Khan to James Cameron Dow. Tossed up on off, Cameron Dow looks to drive but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Rashid Khan with a change of ends.

Yamin Ahmadzai to James Cameron Dow. 50 up for the 10th wicket! Murtagh has again been involved in a handy partnership for the last wicket. But it's Cameron Dow who has done the major scoring this time. Coming to this delivery, it was bowled on the pads, James flicks it to the on side and goes for the single.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Tim Murtagh. Full ball on off, driven straight to mid off and they take a run.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Tim Murtagh. Defends this length ball off his front foot and into the ground.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Tim Murtagh. FOUR! Murtagh is getting those handy runs for Ireland, be it off the edges or the middle. This one was on a length and outside off, Murtagh goes for the pull but gets a thick outside edge and the ball goes into the fence at third man.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Tim Murtagh. FOUR! DRIVEN! Full ball on middle, Murtagh drives it straight down the ground. It is as straight as it could get. Boundary signaled.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Tim Murtagh. Yorker ball on middle, Murtagh digs it out and places it to the off side.

Yamin Ahmadzai back into the attack.

Waqar Salamkheil to Tim Murtagh. Flighted delivery on middle, Murtagh drives it towards mid on for a run.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. Floated delivery on leg, Cameron Dow nudges it towards square leg for a single.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. FOUR! Nice shot. Tossed up on leg, Cameron Dow looks to sweep but gets a top edge. It goes wide of short fine leg for a boundary. These are crucial runs for the Irish team.

Waqar Salamkheil to Tim Murtagh. Full on off, Murtagh flicks it towards square leg for a single.

Waqar Salamkheil to Tim Murtagh. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads.

Waqar Salamkheil to Tim Murtagh. FOUR! Edged! Lucky! Had there been a slip, he was a goner. Bowls a full, tossed up ball on off turning away, it takes the bottom edge of the bat and races away to the third man region. No fielder there to stop it.

Waqar Salamkheil is back.

Rashid Khan to James Cameron Dow. Loopy delivery on middle, James nudges it to square leg.

Rashid Khan to James Cameron Dow. Floated delivery on middle, Cameron Dow flicks it to the leg side.

Rashid Khan to James Cameron Dow. Flighted delivery on middle, Cameron Dow nudges it to the leg side.

Rashid Khan to James Cameron Dow. FOUR! Poor delivery from Rashid. Short delivery on leg, Cameron Dow pulls it through square leg for a boundary.

Rashid Khan to James Cameron Dow. Tossed up on off, Cameron Dow keeps it out.

Rashid Khan to James Cameron Dow. Floated on off, James defends it off the back foot.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. Straighter on the pads, Tim goes for an uppish straight drive. It goes past Nabi through his left, he tries to take it on his followthrough but is just short. The ball goes to long off and they complete a double.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. Murtagh defends this flighted delivery off his front foot.

Mohammad Nabi to James Cameron Dow. Slower one this time outside off, James opens the face of the bat and guides it short third man for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. Fuller on the pads, flicked on the on side and a run taken.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. Defends this one by getting right behind the ball.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. Tossed up on leg and going down, Murtagh goes for the shot but misses. The keeper appeals for a catch but gets denied.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. Full again on middle, Murtagh drives it towards mid on. The batsmen cross ends. 8 runs have come from the over. The lead is 109 runs.

Rashid Khan to James Cameron Dow. 250 up for Ireland. Full on middle, Cameron Dow drives it through mid on for a single.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. Tossed up on off, Murtagh plays it towards point and sets off. There is a slight hesitation between both the batsmen. The fielder throws it at the bowler's end and the bowler tries to go for a direct hit but misses the stumps. Eventually, the batsmen get a run.

Rashid Khan to James Cameron Dow. Fuller on off, driven to mid off by the batsman for a run.

Rashid Khan to James Cameron Dow. FOUR! Cameron Dow goes down and plays a paddle sweep, gets it from the thicker part of the bat and the ball goes fine on the leg side for a boundary.

Rashid Khan to James Cameron Dow. Googly to start off, James plays a forward defense but misses to connect.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. Murtagh stands tall and keeps this ball out from the crease.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. A flatter one on the middle stump line, Tim comes ahead and defends the ball.

Mohammad Nabi to James Cameron Dow. Flatter one outside off, worked with an open face past the slip fielder by Cameron Dow for a single to short third man.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. Down the leg side once more, worked to the right of Rashid at short fine leg by Murtagh. A single taken and it brings up the 100-run lead.

Mohammad Nabi to James Cameron Dow. Flatter one on middle, pushed to deep mid-wicket for a single by the southpaw.

Mohammad Nabi to James Cameron Dow. Hurled down the leg side, the batsman lets it go.

Mohammad Nabi is back into the attack.

Rashid Khan to James Cameron Dow. Tossed up on middle, Cameron Dow flicks it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen cross ends.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. Short delivery, Murtagh pulls it through mid-wicket for a run.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. Floated on middle, Tim defends it out.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. Consecutive googlies from Rashid Khan. This is superb piece of bowling from the Afghan maestro. Floated outside off, Murtagh looks to defend but gets beaten due to the drift on this one.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. Bowls a googly outside off, Murtagh looks to defend but misses it due to the spin on this one.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. Beauty of a delivery. Turns away from the batsman, Murtagh looks to defend but gets beaten due to the drift on this one.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. FOUR! Smashed! Missed it on the second ball but connects it well this time. Waqar bowls a similar delivery, James goes for the pull and gets it from the middle of the bat on this occasion. The ball races away to the deep mid-wicket fence.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. Defends it off the front foot.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. Excellent delivery! Waqar bowls it fuller in length and gets some away turn on it. Cameron Down strides forward in defense but misses it completely. The ball just misses his bat's outside edge.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. Goes back on this full ball and defends it to the ground.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. FOUR! Tossed on off turning in, James goes back and tries to pull but gets it from the inside edge of the bat and the ball runs away to the fine leg fence.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. Full and on middle, pushed back straight to the bowler by the batsman.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. Around the wicket for the last ball, Murtagh stands tall in his crease and defends this ball.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. Just as I say beautiful bowling, Rashid sprays this one way down the leg side. The keeper fails to collect it and the ball lobs to short fine leg. No run taken though.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. Oooh! Almost two in two! A googly on middle stump line and turning away from the lefty, Murtagh looks to defend the ball playing away from his body outside off. Takes the edge and just lands short of the slip fielder. Beautiful bowling!

Tim Murtagh, the hero of the first innings walks out to bat at number 11.

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine. OUT! The replays also think the same! The foot is outside the crease when the bails were removed. The ninth one goes down! A googly from Rashid Khan landing on off stump line and turning away draws Andy McBrine to sweep. He misses the ball and in the process drags his foot outside the crease. The keeper, Ikram quickly collects the ball and whips the bails off. The square leg umpire signals for the third umpire to make the decision and the replays show us it is out. Rashid has his fifth! The first time for him and his country in Tests! Afghanistan have roared back after Tea just like they did after Lunch. The lead is 88 runs and just one wicket left now for the hosts to pick!

Stumping appeal... A googly from Rashid has drawn McBrine to sweep, Ikram has removed the bails and thinks that the batsman is outside the crease. What do the replays think?

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine. Another one on middle and going through straight, Andy defends on his front foot but the ball goes off the inner half and almost carries to short leg.

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine. Flatter one on the off stump, McBrine comes ahead and defends this ball.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. Flighted outside off, Cameron Dow rocks back and puts it to the ground.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. Cameron Dow has defended another tossed up delivery on his front foot presenting the full face of the bat.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. Full on off, Cameron Dow prods forward and blocks it out.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. Beaten! Cameron Dow goes back on a length ball and tries to punch it to the off side but fails to put bat on ball and it goes past the outside edge.

Waqar Salamkheil to James Cameron Dow. Floated ball outside off, defended showing the full face of the bat.

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine. Around the wicket for the last delivery, bowled flatter and outside off. McBrine stays in the crease and keeps the ball out.

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine. Flatter one landing on the off stump from over the wicket, defended by Andy coming ahead.

Rashid Khan to James Cameron Dow. On the pads, worked away towards square leg for a single by Dow as he gets off the mark.

Rashid Khan to James Cameron Dow. The googly first up! Dow has no idea and just hangs his bat to defend it off the back foot. The ball though turns away to beat the outside edge of the bat.

James Cameron Dow walks in at number 10.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. OUT! Ireland's last hope departs! Rashid has caught O'Brien plumb in front here and he has set off on a run! This wicket is a massive one! A flatter one on middle and going straight on again instead of turning. KOB is caught on the back foot and he misses the ball. It goes on to hit the pads in front of the leg stump. The appeal comes and so does the finger. The ball might have just been clipping leg stump according to the replays. That doesn't matter now though, both the experienced men have been removed and Afghanistan are sensing a win here. That is also Rashid's 4th wicket in this innings!

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. Edged and FOUR! Flatter on middle, Kevin O'Brien looks to come ahead and defend but the ball skids on after landing and goes straight. The ball takes the inside edge and runs fine on the leg side for a boundary.

The second new ball is due now... but it has not been taken as yet. Rashid to continue.

Waqar Salamkheil to Andy McBrine. FOUR! McBrine goes for a sweep on this full ball, gets it of the bottom edge of the bat. The ball rolls on to the vacant fine leg region.

Waqar Salamkheil to Andy McBrine. Tossed up on off, driven straight to covers.

Waqar Salamkheil to Andy McBrine. Big appeal for lbw, not given. It's a googly, McBrine is not able to pick that and is hit on the front pad after missing to connect. Replays show it was going down leg.

Waqar Salamkheil to Andy McBrine. McBrine has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Waqar Salamkheil to Andy McBrine. Bowls this one fuller and off, McBrine drives it uppishly straight to the cover fielder.

Waqar Salamkheil to Kevin O'Brien. Starts off with a full ball outside off, punched towards covers for a single.

Salamkheil to bowl from the other end.

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine. Huge appeal once more from Rashid, in fact he is celebrating but the umpire's finger remains in his pocket. A googly bowled outside the leg stump line and turning away to beat the outside edge of the southpaw who was ahead to defend. The ball goes on to hit the back pad of Andy in line of the middle stump but the umpire says not out because the ball was pitched outside leg. Good decision. End of a successful over for Afghanistan, a wicket maiden. The second new ball is due in 1 more over.

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine. A flatter one on middle, Andy comes forward and keeps this out with the straight bat.

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine. Loud appeal! Turned down this time. A flatter one landing on the leg stump line and turning inward. McBrine is ahead to defend but the ball beats his bat and goes to short leg who pouches it. There is an appeal for bat-pad but the umpire has seen there was no bat on that and hence, is unmoved.

Andy McBrine walks out next to bat.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. OUT! A break in play and a break in concentration! The 63-run stand has been broken. Rashid strikes immediately after the interval. A flatter one on middle and going straight on instead of turning, Dockrell is caught on the back foot as he tries to flick it but misses. The ball raps him on the front pad just below the knee roll and the finger goes up. Looked like the ball would have been clipping the leg stump to the naked eye. This is a huge moment in the context of the game.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Defended onto the ground as the ball is flatter and outside off.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Flatter one outside off, turning away and left alone by Dockrell.

We are back for the final session. Kevin O'Brien and George Dockrell, the senior members of this Ireland team will look to continue the good work and increase the lead as much as possible. Meanwhile, Afghanistan will look to break this partnership soon as there might be some worries if the lead continues to swell. Rashid Khan, will try to do that as he has the ball in hand post the Tea break.

... Day 3, Session 3 ...

A session of two halves! One dominated by Afghanistan, another by Ireland. The Afghans made a roaring comeback post Lunch by nipping out four wickets in no time. With the visitors struggling, Kevin O'Brien and George Dockrell have come to their rescue and their unbeaten 63-run stand has put them 78 runs ahead of the virtual hosts. The bowling from Afghanistan was brilliant in the first hour but it dipped a bit in the second. The dropped catch of Kevin O'Brien has started to worry them now. The way this pitch has behaved, anything close to 150-175 is going to be daunting to chase. This match is interestingly poised. Which team will be smiling while leaving the field after the last session? Do join us in some time to find out.

Mohammad Nabi to Kevin O'Brien. Floated on off, O'Brien defends it out. THAT IS TEA ON DAY 3.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Short and outside off, Dockrell cuts it through point. The fielder chases it and stops it just before the ropes. He saves a run for the team. The batsmen take three runs. Good running between the wickets.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

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

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Flighted on off, Dockrell punched it off the back foot to the covers.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Tossed up on middle, drifts a bit after pitching. Dockrell tries to block the ball on the front foot but it turns in and goes down leg to the keeper. The Afghans have a loud appeal for a caught behind but the umpire is not interested.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Flighted delivery on middle, George looks to defend but gets hit low on the pads. It goes towards the leg side for a run. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Floated delivery on middle, Dockrell keeps it out.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Floated on off, George defends it off the front foot.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. Full on off, O'Brien squeezes it towards point for a single.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Short delivery, Dockrell pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Flighted delivery on off, Dockrell defends it out.

Mohammad Nabi to Kevin O'Brien. Pitching outside off and coming in, KOB goes on the back foot and plays it to mid on.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Bowls it on the pads, GD flicks it to fine leg and goes through for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Flighted on off, Dockrell strides forwards and blocks well.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Huge shout for an lbw! Tossed up outside off, turning back in. Dockrell doesn't account for the excessive spin and offers no shot. He ends up wearing it on his pads and the Afghans let out a vociferous appeal. Nothing from the umpire. Mind you, he is not offering any shot. So impact is not in question. But it seems that the umpire feels that it will miss the sticks. The replays confirm the same.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Defended off the back foot to mid on.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Starts with a flighted delivery outside off, Dockrell defends it off his front foot.

Mohammad Nabi comes back into the attack.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. Flighted delivery on middle, Kevin defends it off the back foot.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. FOUR! Fifty for Kevin O'Brien, his maiden in Tests. He has a century to his name. Brilliant innings from him. Tossed up on off, O'Brien looks to defend but gets an outside edge. It goes wide of first slip towards third man for a boundary.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. Tossed up delivery on middle, O'Brien flicks it to mid-wicket.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. Floated on middle, O'Brien defends it off the back foot.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. Full on middle, Kevin digs it out towards the bowler.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. Flighted delivery on off, O'Brien defends it off the front foot.

Rashid Khan is back into the attack.

Wafadar Momand to Kevin O'Brien. Straighter in line, Kevin clips it wide of mid on and scampers across to the other end.

Wafadar Momand to Kevin O'Brien. Goes wide of the crease and delivers a good length ball on top of the off stump line, O'Brien punches it from the back foot to extra cover.

Wafadar Momand to Kevin O'Brien. On a length on off, it's pushed from the crease to the off side but straight to the cover fielder.

Wafadar Momand to Kevin O'Brien. Play and a miss! Width on offer outside off, Kevin gets lured into a square cut. He throws his bat at the ball but fails to make any connection. The keeper gets excited for a moment but nothing from the bowler and the umpire.

Wafadar Momand to Kevin O'Brien. Angles in a length ball on middle and off, O'Brien brings down a straight bat in defense.

Wafadar Momand to George Dockrell. Lands it on a good length outside off, Dockrell plays inside the line and runs it down to third man for a run.

Mohammad Nabi to Kevin O'Brien. Flighted delivery on off, O'Brien defends it off the front foot.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. 50 partnership between Kevin O'Brien and George Dockrell. Floated on middle, Dockrell looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It goes towards square leg for a run.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Flighted delivery on middle, Dockrell blocks it well.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Floated delivery on off, Dockrell defends it off the front foot.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Tossed up on middle, Dockrell defends it out.

Mohammad Nabi to Kevin O'Brien. Floated delivery on middle, O'Brien flicks it towards square leg for a run.

Wafadar Momand to George Dockrell. Dockrell goes on the back foot and punches this to covers.

Wafadar Momand to George Dockrell. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Wafadar Momand to George Dockrell. FOUR! Bowls it on a back of a length, Dockrell slashes hard and gets a thick outside edge which races down towards third man. Shahzad there makes a very poor effort in stopping the ball and fails. Boundary signaled.

Wafadar Momand to George Dockrell. Hint of away swing on this length ball, Dockrell tries to drive it on the up but fails to connect. It goes past his outside edge and straight to the keeper.

Wafadar Momand to George Dockrell. Bowls it outside off this time, Dockrell punches it to point.

Wafadar Momand to Kevin O'Brien. Full ball onto the pads, O'Brien clips to the on side and completes a run.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Bowls it down the leg side, Dockrell lets it go.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Flighted delivery on middle, George keeps it out.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Floated delivery on off, Dockrell defends it off the back foot.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Tossed up on middle, Dockrell keeps it out.

Mohammad Nabi to Kevin O'Brien. 200 up for Ireland. Floated delivery on middle, O'Brien drives it towards mid on for a run.

Mohammad Nabi to Kevin O'Brien. Tossed up on middle, O'Brien flicks it to mid-wicket.

Wafadar Momand to George Dockrell. Length ball outside off, Dockrell brings his bat down in time and blocks it well.

Wafadar Momand to George Dockrell. Another bouncer but this time going down leg, Dockrell evades it by ducking.

Wafadar Momand to Kevin O'Brien. Short ball read early by Dockrell. He goes on the back foot and pulls hard but straight to the fielder at deep mid-wicket. Just a run from it.

Wafadar Momand to Kevin O'Brien. Bowls it again on the pads, Kevin works it on the side and it goes fine. They take a brace.

Wafadar Momand to George Dockrell. Bowls it on the pads, GD flicks on the on side and starts running. The mid-wicket fielder gives it a chase and stops it well inside the ropes. Three runs taken.

Wafadar Momand to George Dockrell. Full length ball outside off, driven straight to covers for a dot.

Mohammad Nabi to Kevin O'Brien. Loopy delivery on middle, O'Brien comes down the track and defends it.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Flighted delivery on middle, Dockrell flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Tossed up on off, Dockrell defends it off the back foot.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Floated delivery on middle, George defends it to the leg side.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Flighted delivery on middle, Dockrell keeps it out.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Bowls it down the leg side, Dockrell leaves it alone.

Wafadar Momand to Kevin O'Brien. Tad shorter this time and on off, O'Brien manages to keep it out.

Wafadar Momand to Kevin O'Brien. Bowls it fuller and outside off, KOB defends it off his back foot.

Wafadar Momand to George Dockrell. Length ball on the pads, Dockrell tucks it to mid-wicket and runs quickly to the non-striker's end. A run completed and with that run, Ireland lead by 50 runs.

Wafadar Momand to George Dockrell. Another ball on the off stump line, GD guides it to short third man.

Wafadar Momand to George Dockrell. Bowls a seam up delivery on the off stump line, Dockrell was cramped for room but manages to keep it out.

Wafadar Momand to Kevin O'Brien. Full ball outside off, Kevin punches it through the covers for a single.

Wafadar Momand is back into the attack.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. FOUR! Floated delivery on leg, Dockrell looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It goes towards fine leg. The fielder chases it but it just runs away to the fence.

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

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Flighted delivery on off, Dockrell defends it off the back foot.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Tossed up on off, George blocks it well.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Floated on middle, Dockrell flicks it towards mid-wicket.

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. Flighted delivery on middle, Dockrell tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Kevin O'Brien. O'Brien has punched that ball through the off side.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Kevin O'Brien. Bowls it straighter and on the pads, O'Brien moves across and plays it straight to the bowler.

Yamin Ahmadzai to George Dockrell. Slightly shorter on this one, Dockrell guides it to third man for a single.

Yamin Ahmadzai to George Dockrell. Fuller this time, Dockrell drives it through the covers and comes back easily for a second.

Yamin Ahmadzai to George Dockrell. Angles this one in from the off stump line, Dockrell moves out and blocks it to the ground.

Yamin Ahmadzai to George Dockrell. Full and outside off, punched to the cover-point region.

Change of ends for Yamin Ahmadzai.

Mohammad Nabi to Kevin O'Brien. Flighted delivery on middle, Kevin tucks it to the on side.

Mohammad Nabi to Kevin O'Brien. DROPPED! It was a sitter. Flighted delivery on middle, O'Brien looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It goes towards short leg where Shahidi tries to take the catch but spills it.

Mohammad Nabi to Kevin O'Brien. Tossed up on middle, O'Brien flicks it to the leg side.

Mohammad Nabi to Kevin O'Brien. Floated delivery on middle, O'Brien flicks it to square leg.

Mohammad Nabi to Kevin O'Brien. FOUR! Short and outside off, O'Brien opens the bat face and guides it past the first slip towards third man for a boundary.

Mohammad Nabi to Kevin O'Brien. Flighted delivery on middle, O'Brien defends it off the back foot.

Mohammad Nabi is back into the attack.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Gives this ball some air and bowls it on the pads, Dockrell goes on the back foot and defends it comfortably.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Dockrell goes down to this full ball and keeps it out.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Similar line, Dockrell nudges it on the on side.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Fuller in length, played straight back to the bowler.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Pitches this one a tad shorter and outside off, Dockrell punches it towards the cover fielder.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Tossed up delivery on off, defended off the front foot.

Drinks break. All the good work of the morning session by Ireland has completely been undone in the first-hour post Lunch. They lost wickets in a heap and slipped from 137/2 to 157/6 in a matter of seven overs and lost the plot. At effectively 37/6, all the Irish hopes are pinned on the shoulders of Kevin O'Brien and George Dockrell. Can Afghanistan finish things off in the next hour?

Yamin Ahmadzai to Kevin O'Brien. FOUR! Poor delivery from Ahmadzai. Full on leg, O'Brien flicks it towards fine leg for a boundary. Kevin O'Brien is scoring quick runs. The lead moves to 37 runs. This ball spoils a good over from Yamin Ahmadzai.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Kevin O'Brien. On a good length on middle, Kevin defends it off the front foot.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Kevin O'Brien. On a good length on middle, O'Brien defends it off the back foot.

Yamin Ahmadzai to George Dockrell. On a good length and outside off, Dockrell plays it towards point for a run.

Yamin Ahmadzai to George Dockrell. Length delivery outside off, O'Brien taps it to point.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Kevin O'Brien. Length delivery on middle, O'Brien flicks it towards square leg for a run.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Dockrell presents the full face of the bat and keeps it out.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Dockrell defends this tossed up delivery going on the front foot.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. Full ball onto the pads, O'Brien flicks it on the on side for a single.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. BEAUTY! THAT'S A RIPPER! Leg spinner pitching on middle, O'Brien goes on the front foot to block this one but gets beaten all ends up. It turns away too much and Kevin has no clue about it. Rashid is bowling fire in his spell after Lunch.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. Leg spinner pitching on leg, O'Brien blocks it well.

Yamin Ahmadzai to George Dockrell. Dockrell offers a solid defense on this good length delivery.

Yamin Ahmadzai to George Dockrell. On a good length on middle, Dockrell defends it off the back foot.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Kevin O'Brien. On a length and outside off, O'Brien plays it towards covers for a single.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Kevin O'Brien. Length delivery on middle, Kevin plays it to mid on.

Yamin Ahmadzai to George Dockrell. Length delivery outside off, Dockrell guides it towards third man for a single.

Yamin Ahmadzai to Kevin O'Brien. On a good length on middle, O'Brien plays it towards mid on for a single.

Yamin Ahmadzai is back into the attack.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Dockrell plays this ball presenting the full face of the bat.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Similar delivery, similar result.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Shorter and on middle, defended off the back foot.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. O'Brien flicks this leg spinner off his pads to the leg side for a single.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. Pitches it on leg, O'Brien clips it off his pads to the leg side and takes off for a single. The fielder at short mid-wicket hits the stumps at the non-striker's end. The ball goes to the off side and they come back for a second on the overthrow. The umpire takes it upstairs for a run out appeal but O'Brien was comfortably in. Not out flashed on the big screen!

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. Continues bowling from round the wicket and pitches it outside leg, O'Brien keep it to the off side.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Turns away from the batsman, Dockrell offers no shot.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Loopy delivery on middle, George blocks it well.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. Flighted delivery on off, Dockrell offers a forward defense on this one.

Waqar Salamkheil to Kevin O'Brien. Full on off, O'Brien drives it towards covers for a run.

Waqar Salamkheil to Kevin O'Brien. Floated delivery on off, Kevin keeps it out.

Waqar Salamkheil to Kevin O'Brien. Tossed up outside off, O'Brien defends it off the front foot.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Bowls it fuller and outside leg, Dockrell plays at it but misses to connect and the ball hits his pads.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Pitched outside off going away, Dockrell offers no shot and keeps it out with his pads.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Bowls it on off this time, Dockrell defends it from the crease.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. Another one outside leg, Dockrell nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. Bowls it outside leg turning away into the batsman, Dockrell keeps it out on the on side.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. Tossed up delivery on off, O'Brien defends it off his front foot.

Waqar Salamkheil to George Dockrell. On middle, Dockrell defends it off the back foot.

Waqar Salamkheil to Kevin O'Brien. Floated on off, O'Brien plays it towards point for a run.

Waqar Salamkheil to Kevin O'Brien. FOUR! Full and outside off, O'Brien looks to drive but gets an outside edge. It goes past the slip region towards third man for a boundary.

Waqar Salamkheil to Kevin O'Brien. Full on off, O'Brien drives it through mid off. The batsmen pick up a couple.

Waqar Salamkheil to Kevin O'Brien. Tossed up delivery on middle, O'Brien defends it out.

Waqar Salamkheil to Kevin O'Brien. Flighted delivery on middle, O'Brien defends it off the front foot.

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Bowls it full and on off, O'Brien blocks it off his front foot.

George Dockrell is the new batsman in.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. OUT! Thompson is out of here! Rashid strikes again. He continues from 'round the wicket angle for the southpaw and hurls in a flighted leg spinner outside off. Stuart stretches forward in defense but it spins back in big to beat his bat and strike him on the pads. They appeal vociferously and the umpire eventually raises his finger. Well, the impact looked outside the line there and also, maybe, there was some inside edge too. Is Thompson unlucky? Hang on. Some confusion over the mode of dismissal here. We are hearing that Stuart has been given out - caught at slip. So, there was some inside edge, which struck Thompson's pads and then lobbed up to Ihsanullah at first slip. Fair decision in the end. Ireland have lost the plot completely after Lunch.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. Goes back and punches it to the off side.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. Googly pitching way outside off, Thompson pokes at it but misses to put bat on ball.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. Four byes! Leg spinner pitching outside off and coming way back in. Stuart tries to put bat on ball but the ball misses the bat and even the keeper's gloves and races away to the fence at fine leg. That went right through.

Waqar Salamkheil to Stuart Thompson. Flighted delivery on off, Thompson looks to defend but gets hit on the pads. The bowler appeals for lbw but the umpire is not interested. Replays show there was an inside edge on this one.

Waqar Salamkheil to Stuart Thompson. Full on off, Thompson looks to sweep but misses it.

Waqar Salamkheil to Kevin O'Brien. Tossed up on off, O'Brien punches it through mid off for a run.

Waqar Salamkheil to Kevin O'Brien. Flighted delivery outside off, Kevin offers no shot.

Waqar Salamkheil to Kevin O'Brien. Tossed up on middle, O'Brien keeps it out.

Waqar Salamkheil to Kevin O'Brien. Floated on middle, O'Brien defends it off the back foot.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. Bowls it too short and outside leg, Thompson moves across to play it on the leg side but gets hit on his body and the ball rolls to the short leg fielder. He throws it back on the stumps but Stuart had never left his crease.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. Flighted googly pitching on middle and going away, Stuart pokes at it but the ball goes past his outside edge and into the keeper's gloves.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. Leg spinner on off, Thompson cuts it to point.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. Pitches it fuller and on off, Stuart defends it off his front foot.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Thompson. Goes on the back foot and defends this leg spinner coming into him.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. Clips this length ball of his pads to square leg for a single.

Stuart Thompson is the new batsman in.

Waqar Salamkheil to Stuart Poynter. OUT! What a stunning catch at first slip! Afghanistan have turned things around post the Lunch break. Salamkheil serves a shortish ball just outside off, too close to cut but Poynter still goes for it from the crease. He gets a fat outside edge which travels at a rate of knots to first slip where Ihsanullah reacts quickly to grab a superb reflex catch. So after a century stand, it is going from bad to worse for the Irishmen.

Waqar Salamkheil to Stuart Poynter. Floated on off, Poynter blocks it off his front foot.

Waqar Salamkheil to Kevin O'Brien. Short and outside off, O'Brien cuts it towards point for a single.

Waqar Salamkheil to Kevin O'Brien. Full on off, Kevin blocks it well.

Waqar Salamkheil to Kevin O'Brien. Full on middle, O'Brien defends it out.

Waqar Salamkheil to Kevin O'Brien. Bowls wide outside off, O'Brien offers no shot.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Poynter. Fuller this time, Poynter defends it off his front foot.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. Bowls it on the pads, O'Brien moves across and clips it to square leg for a single.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Poynter. Length ball outside off, Poynter punches it to point for a single.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Poynter. Comes right behind the pitch of the ball and keeps it out.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Poynter. LOUD APPEAL! NOT OUT! Rashid bowls this one on leg stump line, the ball hits Stuart on his pads and goes straight in the air to gully who takes a catch. Rashid first appealed for an LBW and then after that appealed for a caught behind. But the umpire shakes his head. Replays show no bat involved.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Poynter. Leg spinner on middle, Poynter opens the face of the bat and guides it to short third man.

Waqar Salamkheil to Kevin O'Brien. Floated delivery on off, Kevin keeps it out.

Waqar Salamkheil to Kevin O'Brien. Full on off, Kevin drives it to covers.

Waqar Salamkheil to Kevin O'Brien. Flighted delivery on off, O'Brien defends it off the back foot.

Waqar Salamkheil to Kevin O'Brien. Floated delivery on middle, O'Brien nudges it towards fine leg. The batsmen pick up a couple.

Waqar Salamkheil to Kevin O'Brien. Full on off, O'Brien drives it towards mid off.

Waqar Salamkheil to Kevin O'Brien. FOUR! Wonderful shot. Full on off, O'Brien drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary. Ireland lead by 3 runs. They finally get into the lead.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Poynter. Bowls it on off this time, Poynter moves forward and keeps it out.

Rashid Khan to Stuart Poynter. Googly pitching on leg and turning in, Poynter moves across and lets it go behind his legs to the keeper.

Stuart Poynter is the new batsman in.

Rashid Khan to James McCollum. OUT! Plumb in front! One brings two and both the stars of the morning session are back in the hut in quick time. Rashid Khan dishes out a flatter delivery in the line of the stumps and gets it to skid off the surface. McCollum is caught on the back foot trying to hit across the line. Misses the ball completely and is thudded flush on the back leg. They appeal and the umpire agrees immediately. You cannot be more plumb than this. A fighting knock by the debutant is over too and Ireland are still to get into the lead.

Rashid Khan to James McCollum. Pitches it on middle, James rocks back and punches it to covers.

Rashid Khan to James McCollum. Another full ball, this time James defends it off the front foot.

Rashid Khan to James McCollum. Leg spinner pitching on middle, defended off the back foot.

Waqar Salamkheil to Kevin O'Brien. Flighted delivery on off, O'Brien defends it off the back foot.

Waqar Salamkheil to Kevin O'Brien. FOUR! First ball boundary for Kevin O'Brien. Cracking shot. Short and outside off, O'Brien makes room and cuts it through point for a boundary. Good way to get off the mark.

Kevin O'Brien is the new batsman in.

Waqar Salamkheil to Andy Balbirnie. OUT! Here comes the breakthrough for Afghanistan after toiling hard. And it's a big wicket of the set batsman, Andy Balbirnie. Salamkheil bowled a few deliveries like this in the morning session too but without any success as it beat the outside edge then. Not this time though. He lands in a nicely tossed up ball outside off on a fuller length outside off. It kisses the turf and turns back in slightly as Andy leans into a cover drive. But he fails to middle his shot properly and edges it behind to the keeper. Ikram Ali Khil hangs on to a sharp catch and Balbirnie is seen walking without even waiting for the decision. A top knock by him but he will be disappointed to miss a century here. The deficit is still 5 runs.

Waqar Salamkheil to James McCollum. Floated delivery on off, McCollum defends it towards third man for a run.

Waqar Salamkheil to Andy Balbirnie. Tossed up on middle, Balbirnie flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Waqar Salamkheil to Andy Balbirnie. Full on off, Balbirnie drives it to covers.

Rashid Khan to Andy Balbirnie. Bowls it full and outside off, Andy prods forward and drives it to covers for a single. 7 from this over.

Rashid Khan to James McCollum. Strays on the pads and McCollum plays it to the on side. One run taken.

Rashid Khan to James McCollum. Goes on the front foot and keeps it out.

Rashid Khan to Andy Balbirnie. 100-run partnership! Rashid bowls it full on middle, Balbirnie plays it with soft hands to mid on and scampers through for a quick run. This is only the second century stand for Ireland in Tests.

Rashid Khan to Andy Balbirnie. FOUR! Easy pickings. Bowls a full toss on middle, Andy plays a straight drive to the right of the bowler and the ball races to the long on fence.

Rashid Khan to Andy Balbirnie. Leg cutter outside off, Andy cuts it to backward point.

Waqar Salamkheil to James McCollum. On off, James keeps it out.

Waqar Salamkheil to Andy Balbirnie. Tossed up on off, Balbirnie plays it towards covers for a single.

Waqar Salamkheil to Andy Balbirnie. Flighted delivery on middle, Andy defends it off the front foot.

Waqar Salamkheil to James McCollum. Short and outside off, McCollum cuts it through backward point for a run.

Waqar Salamkheil to Andy Balbirnie. Floated on off, Balbirnie punches it through point for a single.

Waqar Salamkheil to James McCollum. Starts with a tossed up delivery on off, McCollum plays it with soft hands towards third man for a run.

We are back after Lunch. The players and umpires are out in the middle. Andy Balbirnie and James McCollum will continue their batting. Waqar Salamkheil will start the proceedings after Lunch.

... DAY 3, SESSION 2 ...

A good couple of hours in the morning session for Ireland! They did lose Paul Stirling courtesy an unfortunate decision but Andy Balbirnie and James McCollum have done exceedingly well post that to string in a crucial partnership. All thanks to their efforts, the deficit has now come down to 18 runs and Ireland will be feeling a lot more comfortable at the moment than they were at Stumps last evening. The Afghan bowlers, especially their spinners, were quite poor with their lengths and need to sort out their landing issues in the afternoon session. As of now, this Test match appears to be hanging in balance and let's wait and watch which way it turns after the break. Do join us in a short while.

Rashid Khan to James McCollum. Loopy delivery on off, James plays it towards wide mid on for a run. THAT IS LUNCH ON DAY 3.

Rashid Khan to James McCollum. Flighted delivery on middle, McCollum blocks it well.

Rashid Khan to James McCollum. BEATEN! Bowls a googly outside off, James looks to defend but misses as it spins past his bat at a quick speed.

Rashid Khan to James McCollum. Floated on off, McCollum looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Rashid Khan to James McCollum. Tossed up on off, James keeps it out.

Rashid Khan to Andy Balbirnie. Full toss and outside off, Balbirnie drives it through covers for a single.

Waqar Salamkheil to James McCollum. And again... Action replay! Loopy and full, pitching wide outside off, James stretches out to defend but it spins back in and goes past the outside edge.

Waqar Salamkheil to James McCollum. Mind games! Previous ball didn't turn but this one spins back in sharply from wide outside off. McCollum tries to defend by getting forward but once again is beaten.

Waqar Salamkheil to James McCollum. Beaten! Tossed up ball landing outside off, McCollum hangs his bat out in defense but it skids past the outside edge.

Waqar Salamkheil to James McCollum. Too full in length on off, it's pushed out off the front foot to covers.

Waqar Salamkheil to Andy Balbirnie. Goes on the back foot and cuts it through point for a run.

Waqar Salamkheil to Andy Balbirnie. Balbirnie has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Rashid Khan to James McCollum. Tossed up on off, James plays it to point. A better over from Rashid Khan.

Rashid Khan to James McCollum. APPEAL FOR CAUGHT BEHIND! NOT OUT! Full and outside off, McCollum looks to drive but misses it. Ikram Ali appeals but the umpire turns it down. Replays show there was no outside edge.

Rashid Khan to James McCollum. BEATEN! Beautiful delivery from Rashid Khan. Tossed up outside off, McCollum looks to defend but gets beaten due to the away turn on this one.

Rashid Khan to James McCollum. Bowls it short this time, James rocks back and plays it to the off side for a dot.

Rashid Khan to James McCollum. Tossed up outside off, defended off the front foot.

Rashid Khan to James McCollum. Edged but short of first slip! Rashid bowls a leg spinner pitching on off and turning just away to the right-hander who goes forward to defend it. The ball takes the edge of the bat and falls short of first slip. Had it carried then it would have been a happier Lunch for the Afghans.

Waqar Salamkheil to James McCollum. Loopy delivery on off, James punches it towards point for a quick run.

Waqar Salamkheil to James McCollum. Flighted delivery on off, the batsman keeps it out.

Waqar Salamkheil to James McCollum. Floated outside off, James shoulders his arms to this one.

Waqar Salamkheil to James McCollum. Outside off, McCollum leaves it alone.

Waqar Salamkheil to James McCollum. Tossed up on off, McCollum blocks it off his front foot.

Waqar Salamkheil to Andy Balbirnie. Full on off, Balbirnie drives it towards covers where Rashid Khan does a fine job to save runs for the team. The batsmen take a single.

Rashid Khan to James McCollum. Leg cutter this time outside off and turning away from the right-hander, James tries to poke at it but fails to get bat on ball.

Rashid Khan to James McCollum. Googly outside off and pitching short of a length, James leaves it alone.

Rashid Khan to Andy Balbirnie. Strays on the pads, Balbirnie works it to the on side and takes a single.

Rashid Khan to Andy Balbirnie. Leg spinner on off, Andy plays a square cut straight to point.

Rashid Khan to Andy Balbirnie. Andy leaves this full ball outside off straight to the keeper.

Rashid Khan to Andy Balbirnie. Bowls it short outside off, punched off the back foot to cover-point.

Waqar Salamkheil to James McCollum. Flighted delivery on off, James blocks it off his back foot.

Waqar Salamkheil to James McCollum. This was even better from Waqar. Slider outside off, James looks to drive but gets beaten as it skids on with the angle.

Waqar Salamkheil to James McCollum. BEATEN! Bowls googly outside off, McCollum looks to defend but misses it due to the drift on this one.

Waqar Salamkheil to James McCollum. Tossed up delivery on middle, James blocks it off his back foot. The ball kept low on him.

Waqar Salamkheil to James McCollum. Floated delivery on off, McCollum defends it out.

Waqar Salamkheil to Andy Balbirnie. Salamkheil comes from around the wicket. Bowls short and outside off, Balbirnie cuts it towards point for a single.

Rashid Khan to Andy Balbirnie. Another googly to Balbirnie who plays it off the back foot to cover-point and takes a run.