AFG beat IRE by 11 runs (D/L method) | Afghanistan vs Ireland, Highlights And Cricket Score 1st T20I Match

So, that's it from this rain-affected game where Afghanistan deservedly take a 1-0 lead. Ireland might feel a bit unlucky but that last stand between Samiullah Shinwari and Najibullah Zadran threw them out of the competition. They will have the chance of leveling the series when both the sides meet for the second encounter at the same venue. The game will be played on 8th March 2020 and will begin at 1400 local (0830 GMT). We will love your company for that game. Till then, it is goodbye from our side.

Like Ireland, Afghanistan too started brilliantly with Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz powering the score over 50 inside 5 overs. A two-wicket over from Simi Singh and a brilliant run out in the next over from the spinner brought Ireland in the game. However, a quickfire 42 off just 21 balls from Najibullah Zadran meant that Afghanistan kept their noses ahead when the rain arrived. And, eventually it did not stop and the Afghans were declared winners.

Afghanistan did not start well with the ball as Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Shapoor Zadran were hammered early on. Karim Janat bowled economically but it was Rashid's 4 overs that brought the hosts back in the game. The Afghan star spinner ended with 22/3 in his spell.

Earlier in the day, after winning the toss, Ireland started with a bang as Paul Stirling and Kevin O'Brien provided a breezy start. They added 63 for the first wicket. After O'Brien fell, Stirling took over control and went on to score a brilliant half ton. However, when it looked like the Irish were set for anything around 200, Rashid Khan stuck thrice in the middle phase of the innings to hamper the run scoring. Tector's hand of 29 runs off just 17 balls took Ireland to 172.

Alas, the inevitable has happened and it is Afghanistan who win the game as per the DLS method. They take the game by 11 runs and take a 1-0 lead in this 3-match T20I series.

So Shinwari walks back and so do the umpires and the players as the rain is coming down now and on come the covers! Now then, a wicket just before play was halted, can this make things interesting? We will update the DLS scores in a while. Stay tuned. Well, the news is, as per the DLS, Afghanistan are ahead. So if no further play, they will come out as winners.

Boyd Rankin to Samiullah Shinwari. OUT! Timber! Yes, three dots and Shinwari was getting itchy. Rankin bowls another bouncer around off, this one though it is not that short. Shinwari once again goes for the pull but fails to connect. The ball goes behind and just about kisses the bails. 40 more needed in 30 balls.

Boyd Rankin to Samiullah Shinwari. Slower bouncer and Shinwari is once again deceived. Good comeback from Ranking after getting hit for a six on the first ball of the over. He bangs this one short and just outside off, Shinwari goes for the pull but misses. Three dots in a row. Pressure is building.

Boyd Rankin to Samiullah Shinwari. Shortish and just outside off, Shinwari lets it be.

Boyd Rankin to Samiullah Shinwari. Ouch! That would hurt. A back of a length ball around off, Shinwari goes for the pull but he is early into the shot. He gets hit on his stomach.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Full and on middle, it is eased down to long on for a single.

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. SIX! WOW! That is a brilliant hit! Full and outside off, Najibullah stays inside the crease and powers it over extra cover for a biggie.

Simi Singh to Samiullah Shinwari. Quicker and just outside off, it is guided towards point.

Simi Singh to Najibullah Zadran. Flatter and just outside off, it is hit down to long off for a single.

Simi Singh to Samiullah Shinwari. Short again, this time Shinwari pushes it to deep cover for a run.

Simi Singh to Najibullah Zadran. Shortish and just outside off, Najibullah cuts it to sweeper cover for a single.

Simi Singh to Najibullah Zadran. Excellent running between the wickets! A tossed up ball around off, Najibullah eases it towards mid on and scampers back for a couple.

Simi Singh to Samiullah Shinwari. Floated ball around off, Shinwari eases a single to long off.