Afghanistan vs Ireland, AFG and IRE in UAE, 3 T20Is, 2024 Full score card

OUT! CAUGHT! Barry McCarthy picks up his second and bundles Afghanistan for 110. A commanding victory for Ireland in the first match of this series. It is very full, outside off. Naveen-ul-Haq throws the kitchen sink at it. The ball catches the outer half and flies towards sweeper cover. Gareth Delany there takes a sharp catch. Ireland win the match by 38 runs.

Slower bumper, wide of off. Naveen-ul-Haq leaves it alone.

A length ball, much straighter, on off. Naveen-ul-Haq drills it down the park but denies the single.

FOUR! Fine shot! Lands it outside off, Naveen-ul-Haq reaches out to it and slashes it over backward point as the ball finds the fence.

A full toss, on the body. Fazalhaq Farooqi defends it back to the bowler with a full face.

Full and on off. Naveen-ul-Haq drills it to long on for one.

Nails the wide yorker this time. Naveen-ul-Haq jams it out to backward point.

It is full, wide of off. Naveen-ul-Haq tries to scoop it away but misses.

SIX! BANG! Short ball, on off. Naveen-ul-Haq charges down the track, rides the bounce and smokes it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. Even Mark Adair is surprised to see what Naveen-ul-Haq is capable of.

A low full toss, on the pads. Fazalhaq Farooqi flicks it to deep square leg for one.

Slower one this time, full and wide of off. This one stays very low. Naveen-ul-Haq swings hard but only to connect with thin air.

Pitches it up, wide of off. Naveen-ul-Haq crunches it to sweeper covers for none.

Shorter one, on middle. Naveen-ul-Haq backs away and mistimes his shot to mid on but only for none.

Full this time, angled in on fourth stumps. Fazalhaq Farooqi jams it out to point for a quick single.

Joshua Little nails the yorker this time, wide of off. Fazalhaq Farooqi looks to dabs it away but misses.

Fazalhaq Farooqi is the last batter in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Joshua Little makes an instant impact after coming into the attack. It is a short ball, on off. Rashid Khan is cramped for room but still goes for the heave across the line. The ball catches the outer half and flies to long on. Harry Tector there takes a sharp catch.

Pace-up delivery this time, outside off, Naveen-ul-Haq swings hard but misses.

Length ball, in the channel. Rashid Khan gets it to sweeper cover off the outer half. One taken. 52 runs needed in 25.

Back of a length, outside off. Naveen-ul-Haq whips it down to long off for a single.

Slower bumper, outside off. Naveen-ul-Haq tries to play the ramp shot but misses.

Shorter, on middle. Rashid Khan pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Full length, outside off. Rashid Khan crunches it to extra covers but straight to the fielder.

Bowls it on off, Rashid Khan eases it to covers for one.

Wide! Lands it way outside off, Rashid Khan leaves.

Slower one, on middle, Rashid Khan eases it to the cover fielder.

Fuller one, on off, Naveen-ul-Haq eases it to covers for one.

Naveen-ul-Haq comes in at number 9.

OUT! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust! Full and outside off, Mohammad Nabi looks to loft it but gets the toe end of his bat. It goes high up in the air towards extra covers. Harry Tector settles under it and completes the catch.

Lands it on off, Rashid Khan moves forward and drills it through mid off for a boundary!

Lands it outside off with some turn, Rashid Khan looks to block it but misses. A loud appeal for caught behind but the umpire is unmoved!

SIX! Massive hit! Slower one, on middle, Mohammad Nabi picks the length early and lofts it magnificently over long on for a biggie!

Bowls it outside off, Mohammad Nabi punches it to the point fielder.

FOUR! They need more of these! Lands it on middle, Mohammad Nabi stays in his crease and drills it over the bowler's head for a boundary!

Lands it on middle nad leg, Rashid Khan turns it towards square leg for one.

Short, on middle, Rashid Khan punches it to mid off.

Bowls it on middle, Mohammad Nabi flicks it towards cow corner for one.

OUT! TIMBER! What a fantastic piece of bowling this is! Quicker one, on middle and it turns away, Nangeyalia Kharote looks to loft it but misses it completely as the ball hits the off pole. Nangeyalia Kharote walks back for a golden duck and Afghanistan in all sorts of trouble now! Ben White will be on a hat-trick in his next over. Rashid Khan is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Ben White strikes finally! Short and on middle, Ijaz Ahmadzai rocks back and looks to pull it but mistimes it completely. The ball carries towards deep mid-wicket. Curtis Campher settles under it and completes the catch. Ijaz Ahmadzai walks back into the shed.

Nangeyalia Kharote comes out at number 8.

Wide! Bowls it way outside off, Ijaz Ahmadzai leaves. Again Ireland are not happy with the umpire's decision!

Too full, on middle, Mohammad Nabi digs it to mid off for one.

No ball! Oh my word! Full, on off, Mohammad Nabi looks to loft it but mistimes it. It goes off the toe end of the bat towards the fielder in the deep who takes the catch. They celebrate but the umpire had called for a no ball! The batters collect two. Paul Stirling is unhappy with the umpire's decision as he thinks it was not a no ball! Free hit coming up...

This is good bowling! Lands it on middle, with some turn, Ijaz Ahmadzai flicks it to square leg for one.

Bowls it on middle, Ijaz Ahmadzai eases it to the mid on fielder.

Slower one, on middle, Ijaz Ahmadzai pulls it over mid-wicket for a brace. Excellent running between the wickets.

A slower bouncer, Mohammad Nabi looks to pull it but gets beaten.

Too full, on middle, Ijaz Ahmadzai drives it to extra covers for one.

FOUR! This will ease off some pressure! Full and outside off, Ijaz Ahmadzai uses the pace of the ball and guides it past backward point for a boundary.

Wide! Lands it way outside off, Ijaz Ahmadzai looks to slap it but misses.

A full toss, outside off, Ijaz Ahmadzai looks to play at it but misses.

Full and way outside off, Mohammad Nabi reaches out to it and plays it over covers for one.

Round the wicket. Full and outside off, Ijaz Ahmadzai drives it to deep covers for one.

Short, on off, Ijaz Ahmadzai punches it to point for one.

Lands it outside off, Ijaz Ahmadzai blocks it to the cover fielder.

Some turn and bounce, outside off, Ijaz Ahmadzai looks to loft it but gets beaten.

Touch short, on middle, Mohammad Nabi punches it down the ground for one.

A googly, on middle, Ijaz Ahmadzai chips it over the bowler's head for one.

Lands it on middle, Mohammad Nabi eases it to mid on for one.

Drinks! Afghanistan are off to a shaky start here and have lost five wickets. They are reeling on 58/5 at the halfway stage and they need a gritty stand now. Ireland have been brilliant, as they have picked the vital wickets and have kept a lid on the scoring rate as well. They will look to pick up some more wickets and get the game under control. Let's see how it pans out...

Fuller one, angled into the pads. Nabi lofts it towards long on and crosses. 6 singles come from this over.

Fuller, on middle. Ijaz Ahmadzai plays the on drive for one more.

Another single taken now as Nabi deals with this full ball with ease.

Flatter one, on off. Ijaz Ahmadzai flicks it into the leg side for a single.

Another single now as Nabi knocks this short ball to mid off.

Darted on the pads. Ijaz Ahmadzai goes back and flicks it into the leg side for one.

Quicker and full, outside off. Ijaz Ahmadzai dabs it into covers for one. Afghanistan need some to put their hand up with the bat.

Pitches it up, full and on middle. Mohammad Nabi tucks it into the leg side for one.

Short one, outside off. Ijaz Ahmadzai carves it to deep backward point for a single.

The debutant, Ijaz Ahmadzai is the new batter.

OUT! CAUGHT! Half of the side has been sent back to the dugout here. Barry McCarthy picks up a wicket. It is a short ball, outside off. Ibrahim Zadran stays back and swings hard. The ball catches the outer half and chips to mid off. Ibrahim Zadran wanted to find a boundary but fails to continue for long. Harry Tector catches it safely at mid off.

A length ball, in the channel. Ibrahim Zadran looks to chase it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Length, on off. Nabi pushes it to covers for one.

Pushed through quicker, on off. Zadran blocks it out watchfully.

Outside off, in the channel. Ibrahim Zadran looks to chase it but misses.

Mohammad Nabi now rotates the strike as he pushes this full ball down the ground.

An appeal for caught behind, but the umpire is unmoved. It is flighted and full, outside off. Nabi looks to crunch it away but gets beaten on the inside edge.

Shortish, on off. Nabi closes the face and nudges it into mid-wicket.

Floated and full, on middle. It grips and turns out. Ibrahim Zadran pushes it down the park for a single.

Pitches it up, outside off. Zadran pushes it through the line for one more. A wicket and four singles come from this over.

Short one, on off. Nabi knocks it to point for another single.

On off, Zadran taps it into the off side for one more.

Darted on the pads. Nabi tucks it into the leg side for one.

OUT! CAUGHT IN THE DEEP! Ben White finds a wicket on his very second delivery. It is floated and full, on middle. Mohammad Ishaq gets low and slogs it to deep mid-wicket. He goes looking for a maximum but ends up finding Barry McCarthy near the ropes who makes no mistake. Mohammad Nabi is the new batter.

Quicker one, on the pads. This one skids through. Mohammad Ishaq tries to clip it away but misses.

FOUR! Shorter, outside off. Ibrahim Zadran backs away and crunches it past extra covers for four runs. Afghanistan now trying to grow in this game.

Mohammad Ishaq now rotates the strike as he knocks this full ball down the park.

FOUR! Nicely played. Mohammad Ishaq continues to grow in the game. It is short, outside off. Mohammad Ishaq cuts it to sweeper cover for a boundary.

Shorter, on off. Mohammad Ishaq mistimes it to mid off via the inner half.

Darted on the pads. Mohammad Ishaq pulls it to deep mid-wicket. The batters take three runs. This is some good running.

A length ball, on off. Mohammad Ishaq defends it watchfully from inside the crease/

Short, outside off, Mohammad Ishaq slaps it to deep point for one. Top over from Barry McCarthy!

Jumps up to beat the bat! Short and outside off, pace off. Mohammad Ishaq looks for an uppercut but misses.

Oh! Back of length outside off, Mohammad Ishaq has a fiddle and cannot adjust with the bounce.

Bowls it on middle, Mohammad Ishaq flicks it to mid-wicket for one.

Lands it on leg, Ibrahim Zadran tickles it fine for one.

Back of a length and on middle, Mohammad Ishaq fends it to mid off for one.

Slower one, on middle and leg, Mohammad Ishaq tucks it to mid on for one.

Off pace on a length and on off, Mohammad Ishaq blocks it back.

FOUR! Thats a beautiful stroke! Fuller one, on middle, Mohammad Ishaq walks down the wicket and drills it down the ground as the ball races away.

Round the wicket. Lands it full and on for, Ibrahim Zadran eases it to covers and scampers across to the other end.

Fuller one, on off, Ibrahim Zadran blocks it to the mid off fielder.

Length and outside off, Ibrahim Zadran looks to play at it but misses.

FOUR MORE! Make that four fours in a row! Full, on middle, Mohammad Ishaq flicks it in the gap through mid-wicket for yet another boundary!

FOUR AGAIN! Three in a row and the crowd is back on their toes now! Length and on middle, Mohammad Ishaq picks it well and heaves it over mid-wicket for another boundary.

FOUR MORE! Back to back boundaries now! Length and on off, Mohammad Ishaq stands tall and chips it over the mid off fielder for fore more.

FOUR! Streaky, but they all count! Lands it outside off, Mohammad Ishaq looks to loft it but gets a thick outside edge. It flies over slips and finds the fence at third man.

Slower one, outside off, Mohammad Ishaq leaves it again.

Lands it outside off, Mohammad Ishaq leaves it alone.

Wide! Lands it way outside off, Mohammad Ishaq offers no stroke.

On a length and on off, Mohammad Ishaq taps it to short covers for one.

Mohammad Ishaq comes out at number 5.

OUT! TIMBER! Oh my word! Pitched up and the ball swings in, Azmatullah Omarzai looks to punch it but gets beaten as the ball clatters over the stumps. Joshua Little is on a hat-trick now! Afghanistan in all sorts of trouble and the crowd goes all silent here at Sharjah Cricket Stadium!

Azmatullah Omarzai comes out to bat now.

OUT! TAKEN! Joshua Little strikes as Ireland have their second. Hits the deck hard and gets some extra bounce, Sediqullah Atal looks to loft it but the ball hits the upper part of his bat. It lobs towards Harry Tector at extra covers who makes no mistake. Both the Afghanistan openers are back into the hut now!

Lands it down leg, Ibrahim Zadran looks to flick it but it goes off is thighs towards the leg side. They cross for a leg bye!

Touch short and on off, Sediqullah Atal punches it to covers for one.

Good length, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran taps it to backward point for one.

Joshua Little to share the new ball.

Oh, he has done it again! Back of length outside off, Sediqullah Atal has a fiddle but gets beaten again!

Full and hung outside off. More curve away from the batter and it goes past the outside edge of Sediqullah Atal blade again! Something more seems to be brewing here!

Peach! Length in the channel and this one shapes away late. Sediqullah Atal wafts at it and is beaten all ends up!

Length and on off, Ibrahim Zadran chips it over covers for one. Ibrahim Zadran gets off the mark!

Past the edge! Touch short and it nips in sharply, Ibrahim Zadran looks to block it but gets beaten n the inside edge!

Ibrahim Zadran comes out to bat now.

OUT! TAKEN! Mark Adair strikes straightaway! Ireland couldn't have wished for a better start. Bangs in short and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz mistimes his pull. It carries towards deep mid-wicket. Curtis Campher settles under it and takes a fine catch sliding forward. Rahmanullah Gurbaz walks out for a duck!

FOUR AGAIN! Too full and outside off, Harry Tector reaches out to it and guides it over short thrid man for four more. Ireland end their innings for 149/6!

FOUR MORE! Fifty up for Harry Tector! A much needed knock at this point for his side! Naveen-ul-Haq bowls full and around off, Harry Tector hangs back and drills it through covers for another boundary!

FOUR! This is excellent from Harry Tector! He moves to 48 now! Full, on off, Harry Tector picks it well and cracks a drive through the cover region!

SIX! That is magnificent! Short and on middle, Harry Tector swivels and pulls it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum!

Full and hung outside off, Mark Adair slashes it towards deep point for one.

Short, on middle, Mark Adair looks to pull it but gets a hit on his helmet. The physio is out in the middle for the mandatory concussion tests.

Full, outside off, Mark Adair slashes it over extra covers for one.

A full toss, outside off, Mark Adair looks to slap it but misses.

Off pace on a length and on off, Harry Tector pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Past the edge! Length and just outside off, Harry Tector has a wild swing at it but gets beaten.

Full, outside off, Mark Adair steers it towards backward point for one.

SIX! In the zone and it has been dismissed! Lands it full and on middle, Mark Adair stands tall and plunders it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum!

FOUR! Well played! Length again, on middle, Harry Tector picks the length early and drills it over the bowler's head for a boundary!

Length, on middle, Mark Adair drills it down the ground. The ball hits the stumps and rolls towards mid off. They cross.

Lands it on middle, Harry Tector turns it to mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Fine shot! Too full, on off, Harry Tector stays back and drives imperiously through the covers for a boundary!

Lands it on off, Harry Tector drives it to the cover fielder.

FOUR! That's a top shot! Full, on off, Harry Tector hangs back and cracks a drive through extra covers. Easy pickings!

Mark Adair comes out at number 8.

OUT! TAKEN! Rashid Khan strikes again! Lands it on off with a hint of turn, Gareth Delany looks to slog it but mistimes it completely. It carries towards deep mid-wicket. Nangeyalia Kharote settles under it and takes a good catch over his head.

Short, on middle, Gareth Delany blocks it to mid off.

FOUR! Lands it on middle, Gareth Delany heaves it over mid-wicket. The fielder in the deep loses his balance and slips as the ball goes over him to find the fence.

Bowl it on middle, Harry Tector flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for one. The fielder stops it well to his right.

Bowls it on middle, Gareth Delany tucks it to square leg for one.

Too full, on middle, Harry Tector turns it to mid-wicket for one.

MISFIELD ADN FOUR! Lands it full and on off, Gareth Delany chips it over extra covers. The fielder runs behind to stop it. The ball bounces, hits the fielder's thigh and races away.

Wide! Width, way too width. Wided.

Fuller one, Harry Tector scoops it over short third man for one.

A slower one, outside off, Harry Tector wafts at it and is beaten all ends up.

Wide! Lands it way outside off, Harry Tector looks to play at it but misses.

Too full, on middle, Harry Tector drives it but finds the fielder at covers.

A full toss, on leg, Gareth Delany tucks it to mid-wicket for one more.

Touch short, on middle, Harry Tector moves forward and punches it to covers for one.

A single to end the over! Full and on off. Harry Tector pushes it down the ground for a single.

LEG BYE! An arm ball, on the pads. Gareth Delany looks to flick it away but misses. It rolls out into the leg side and they cross for a leg bye.

Shorter, on middle. Harry Tector knocks it into the off side for one.

Full, on middle and leg. Gareth Delany eases it to long on for one.

Goes full, on fourth stump. Gareth Delany knocks it past mid off for two.

Short and on off. Harry Tector pushes it into the off side for one.

Quicker and fuller, on off. Harry Tector leans in and knocks it into the off side for one. 9 runs comes from this over. These two trying to apply the counter-punch.

A single now as Gareth Delany drives it down to long off.

Two dots in a row now! Fuller one, on off, blocked away.

Floated and full, outside off. Gareth Delany pushes it into the off side for none.

Nangeyalia Kharote goes full, on off. Harry Tector pushes it through covers for one.

SIX! High and handsome. It is full and on off. Harry Tector gets under it and smokes it over the long on region for a maximum.

Darted on the pads, tucked into the leg side for none.

Quicker and flatter, outside off. Gareth Delany hangs back and looks to cut it away but misses.

Shorter, on off. Delany blocks it back to the bowler.

Full and on middle. Harry Tector sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

Quicker and fuller, on off. Gareth Delany knocks it down the park towards long on for a single.

Full, on the stumps. Gareth Delany flicks it into the leg side.

Flatter and on off. Harry Tector defends it solidly from inside the crease. Another successful over for Nangeyalia Kharote comes to an end.

An arm ball, full and on leg. Harry Tector looks to flick it away but misses.

A single now as Gareth Delany pushes it down the park for one.

Quicker and fuller, on off. Gareth Delany pushes it into the off side for none.

Floated and full, on middle. Gareth Delany ends up chipping it to the right of the bowler, but it lands short.

OUT! CLEANED UP! Nangeyalia Kharote is on fire. He is making a strong statement on debut. It is tossed up, full and on off. It grips and turns in. Neil Rock tries to hit it through the line but misses. The ball sneaks through the gap between bat and pad and crashes into the stumps. Ireland are getting dismantled by spin here.

Gareth Delany walks in.

WIDE! Pushed through quicker, down the leg side. Neil Rock looks to tickle it away but misses. Wided.

Flatter, on the pads. Neil Rock tucks it into the leg side for a single. He finally manages to open the account.

An arm ball this time, outside off. Neil Rock looks to defend it out but gets beaten on the outside edge.

FOUR BYES! Beats everyone. A peach of a delivery. Beats the outside edge, but the keeper does not read it at all. It goes through him and heads down to fine leg for four runs.

Neil Rock walks out to face the hat-trick delivery!

OUT! TIMBER! Rashid Khan with two wickets in two delivery. He is on a Hat-Trick in a jiffy. Curtis Campher tries to be cute straightaway. It is a googly on a fuller length. Curtis Campher prods and tries to scoop it away but misses. The ball sneaks through and crashes into the stumps. Ireland surely on the back foot now. Can Rashid Khan get his second T20I Hat-Trick against Ireland.

Curtis Campher is the new batter.

OUT! CAUGHT! Rashid Khan with his first of the game. He is back into the side with bang. Tosses it up, full and on off. Paul Stirling gets low and slogs it towards long on. He does not get the distance on it though. Ibrahim Zadran stationed in the deep takes a sharp catch. Ireland in trouble now for sure.

Floats it up, on off. Paul Stirling looks to heave it across the line but mistime it to mid-wicket.

Drinks break! Ireland were off to a flier, although they have lost two wickets in quick succession which has impacted their run rate a lot. Ireland need a healthy partnership between Harry Tector and Paul Stirling which might set some kind of a platform for the hard-hitters who are yet to come out to bat. Afghanistan though have some game-changing spinners in their side, who are eyeing to make an impact before the dew comes into play.

Bowls it on off, Harry Tector eases it to the mid off fielder.

Too full this time, on off, Paul Stirling drills it to long off for one. Excellent over so far from Nangeyalia Kharote!

Oh, how did that miss the stumps! Short and on off, Paul Stirling looks to loft it but gets beaten as the ball just misses the top of off.

Follows Paul Stirling again down leg, Paul Stirling looks to slog it but gets a hit on his thighs.

Makes a lot of room, and Nangeyalia Kharote follows him with a back of a length ball. Paul Stirling looks to heave it but gets a blow on his body.

Lands it on middle and leg, Harry Tector looks to flick it but miscues it to point for one.

Lands it on middle, Harry Tector flicks it tom id on for one.

Some turn and bounce, outside off as it goes past the edge of Harry Tector's failing blade.

Flighted up, on middle, Harry Tector blocks it to covers.

Too full, on middle, Paul Stirling knocks it to long on for one.

Short, on middle, Harry Tector punches it to mid on for one.

FOUR! That's a good shot! Short and on middle, Harry Tector rocks back and cracks a pull shot over mid-wicket for a boundary. Deep mid-wicket tried to stop it to his left but failed.

Slower one, on off, Paul Stirling chips it over extra covers for a brace.

Bowls it on off, Harry Tector punches it to covers and gets off the mark.

Who will come out now? It is going to be Harry Tector.

OUT! TAKEN! Afghanistan find the breakthrough again! Short, with a hint of turn, Lorcan Tucker leans onto it to sweep it. Gets off the toe end as the ball lobs towards short mid-wicket. Mohammad Nabi settles under it and completes the catch.

Short, on off, Lorcan Tucker blocks it to the cover fielder. Three dots in a row!

Quicker one, on middle, Lorcan Tucker looks to scoop it but it parries off his bat back on his body. Dot.

Bowls it on middle, Lorcan Tucker blocks it back.

Nangeyalia Kharote comes into the attack now.

Oh, that was a beauty! Wrong'un, just outside off, Lorcan Tucker wafts at it and is beaten all ends up. The keeper fails to collect it as the batters collect a bye.

Short, on middle, Paul Stirling tucks it to mid-wicket for one.

Wide! Lands it down the leg side, Paul Stirling looks to flick it but misses.

Bowls it on middle and leg, Lorcan Tucker tucks it to mid-wicket for one.

A googly, on off, Lorcan Tucker fends it to the point fielder.

Flighted up, on off, Paul Stirling drives it to covers for one more.

Rashid Khan comes into the attack and bowls a quicker one, on middle and leg, Lorcan Tucker digs it to mid-wicket for one.

Change of pace! A slower one, on middle, Lorcan Tucker taps it to mid off for one.

Pitched up, on middle, Lorcan Tucker covers his line and blocks it back.

Length, angling in, Paul Stirling eases it to mid on for one. This is smart batting. A maximum followed by a single.

SIX! Right out of the screws! A half tracker that sits up to be hit, Paul Stirling winds up and clatters it all the way over the deep mid-wicket fence.

Bowls it on off, Lorcan Tucker taps it to mid off for one.

Length, on middle, Lorcan Tucker tucks it but finds the fielder at mid on.

Paul Stirling cuts this short one hard, but Rahmanullah Gurbaz there once again makes a sharp stop to restrict any run. A successful over from Azmatullah Omarzai comes to an end.

Fuller one, attacking the stumps. Paul Stirling defends it back to the bowler.

Full and on leg. Tucker tries to flick it away but misses. The batters collect a leg bye.

Lorcan Tucker walks in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Afghanistan finally break the opening stand and they get rid of the batter who was well settled as compared to Paul Stirling. Azmatullah Omarzai with a timely breakthrough. He follows the batter outside leg. Andy Balbirnie drives it uppishly towards point. Rahmanullah Gurbaz there dives in front of him and takes a sharp catch. Andy Balbirnie just could not get the elevation on it.

On a length, in the channel. Andy Balbirnie stays back and blocks it to point.

Full this time, angled into the leg stump. Paul Stirling backs away and defends it out. The batters are able to sneak a single.

SIX! High and handsome. Ireland have come to life here. Good length, down the leg side. Andy Balbirnie picks it up nicely and smokes it over the deep square leg fence for a maximum.

Shorter, in the channel. Andy Balbirnie tries to smack it through the line, but is a bit early. The ball rolls into the leg side off the inner half.

Nails the wide yorker this time, wide of off. Paul Stirling jams it out to the right of deep backward point. Nangeyalia Kharote hares across and keeps it down to just one.

Back of a length, plenty of width on offer as well. Andy Balbirnie cuts it through cover-point for a single. Naveen-ul-Haq keeping it very tight.

Length ball, angled in around off. Paul Stirling pushes it gently into covers for just a single.

Short, wide of off, hacked to sweeper covers for one by Andy Balbirnie.

Naveen-ul-Haq omes into the attack now.

FOUR! Bangs it in short, on the body. Paul Stirling swivels and pulls it behind square on the leg side for a cracking boundary.

Pitches it up, outside off. This one stays low, and holds its line. Paul Stirling thows the kitchen sink at it but misses.

Good length, angled into the right-hander. Paul Stirling gets it to short fine off the inside edge.

Good length, around the hips. Paul Stirling tucks it to short fine. He ventures out looking for a single but is denied by his partner as the ball goes straight to the fielder.

FOUR! Cracking boundary. This should give him some confidence. Short one, outside off. Paul Stirling swings hard. It catches the outer half and flies over point for four runs.

FOUR BYES! Misses everyone. It is full one from Fazalhaq Farooqi, but a bit slower, in the channel. Paul Stirling swings hard at it but ends up playing the wrong line here. The wicket-keeper behind fails to control it and it races away to the deep third fence.

Shorter one, on off. Andy Balbirnie pulls it through mid-wicket. They batters take two before the fielder cuts it out. A very good over for Ireland.

Fuller one, angled into the pads. Andy Balbirnie defends it to extra covers off the outer half. 10 runs have already come in this over.

Length and on off, defended out.

FOUR! Good length, sliding down leg. Andy Balbirnie flicks it behind square on the leg side for a cracking boundary.

FOUR! Extra width on offer this time and Andy Balbirnie makes the most of it. A full-length ball, outside off. Andy Balbirnie leans in and creams it through covers for a boundary.

Full length, around off, nipping away. Andy Balbirnie drives it through the line through covers. The batters take two.

Azmatullah Omarzai to share the attack.

Nails the yorker this time, on the fourth stump line. Paul Stirling jams it out to point but unable to find the gap.

Another single now as Andy Balbirnie pushes this full ball to mid off.

Fazalhaq Farooqi continues to trouble Paul Stirling. Length ball, on off, nips back in. Paul Stirling works it to mid on off the inner half. One taken.

Full this time, swinging back into the right-hander. Paul Stirling looks to drive it through the line, but gets beaten by the movement. Fortunately he gets an inside edge and the ball goes to square leg.

Good length this time, around off, nipping away. Paul Stirling is caught inside his crease. He tries to defend it out but misses.

Fazalhaq Farooqi starts with a full one around off, swinging back into the right-hander. Andy Balbirnie tucks it towards mid on and crosses for a single. Ireland open their account on the very first delivery.

Right then, we are done with the pre-match proceedings. The players of Afghanistan take their respective field positions. Andy Balbirnie and Paul Stirling open up with their blades for Ireland. Fazalhaq Farooqi has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

We are all set to begin. The players stride out in the middle and line up for their respective national anthems. It will be Ireland's first, followed by the national anthem of Afghanistan.

Paul Stirling, the skipper of Ireland, says that he's happy with the toss and they will look to put as many runs on the board. Adds some changes from their previous ODI game and ends by saying that they will look to win this game.

Rashid Khan, the captain of Afghanistan is in for a chat. He says that they will bowl first. There is no specific reason but you can expect dew at the later stages. Informs that his recovery has been really well and is happy to be back on the field. Mentions that it was delighted to see with the way the players expressed themselves really well. States that there are three new faces in the side.

PITCH REPORT - Tino Mawoyo is pitchside. He says that the pitch is the same as what was used for a couple of ODI's before and its a difficult surface to bat on. It is going to be a low-scoring game, as the par score here will be around 150. The team winning the toss will look to bat first and put some runs on the board.

Afghanistan (Playing XI) -Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Mohammad Ishaq, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (C), Nangeyalia Kharote, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Ijaz Ahmadzai.

Ireland (Playing XI) - Paul Stirling (C), Andy Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (WK), Neil Rock, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little, Ben White.

TOSS - The coin goes up and lands in favour of Afghanistan. They will BOWL first.

The Irish team has had trouble with the white ball. They boast a potent fast-bowling attack, but one of their biggest weaknesses in these circumstances is the absence of good spinners. Afghanistan's seasoned bowlers are back, which is a huge boost. It would be intriguing to watch if the self-assured Afghan side can be challenged by the Irish team. Stay tuned for Toss and Team updates...

Hello and a warm welcome, folks! This T20I series between Afghanistan and Ireland marks a crucial phase as teams gear up for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Afghanistan, welcomes back key spinners Rashid and Mujeeb Ur Rahman after their recoveries from injuries. This strengthens their squad significantly. On the flip side, Ireland, under Paul Stirling's leadership, aims to bounce back after their ODI series loss. The return of experienced pacer Josh Little adds depth to their bowling attack. Both teams are refining their lineups with an eye on the global tournament.

... MATCH DAY ...