Ireland vs Afghanistan, Afghanistan in Ireland, 5 T20I Series, 2022 Full score card

FOUR! That's it, George Dockrell finishes things off in style and Ireland have won the game with just one ball remaining! Banged in short and over middle, Dockrell gets on top of the bounce and pulls it well in front of mid-wicket to find the fence. Ireland win by 7 wickets!

FOUR! Oh, no! It is a brilliant effort in the deep but it has gone for a boundary. Another slower delivery, fuller and on off. George Dockrell punches it back past the bowler and the fielder from long on runs to his left to dive it and cut it off. The momentum though was such that the fielder ended up parrying the ball into the ropes. Just 2 needed now off 2 deliveries.

What a cracking delivery from Naveen-ul-Haq! Nails the toe-crushing yorker and Tector somehow manages to get a bat on it. The ball rolls towards square leg as the batters sneak in a single.

FOUR! The game keeps on swinging like a pendulum. Slower ball, on a length and outside off. Harry Tector picks it up and holds his shape before crunching it over extra cover for a boundary. 7 needed now off 4 balls.

Naveen-ul-Haq seems to be struggling a bit. On the other side, Harry Tector is also seen in some discomfort. The physios are in to check and provide the required treatment. Both of them looks fine now and we are ready to continue.

Well bowled and well ran in the end as well. This is on a hard length and angling into the body. Harry Tector mistimes the pull shot in front of mid-wicket and races back for two. Tector dives in and seems to have hurt himself a bit here.

Naveen-ul-Haq will bowl the last over. It is a nail biting finish. Can he defend 12 runs?

A brilliant comeback in the over from Fazalhaq Farooqi! It's the yorker again, outside off and Harry Tector heaves it off the inner half of the bat towards wide long on for a single. 13 needed now off the final 6 deliveries.

Pitches it up now, a bit in the slot and on off stump, Dockrell drills it down to long off for one. Dockrell will be disappointed that he didn't do more with that one.

Excellent from Farooqi! Nails the wide yorker and George Dockrell gets beaten on the inside edge as he looks to squeeze it out.

Pce on this time, full and wide, Tector drives it firmly towards deep cover for just a single.

SIX! Probably a game-changing blow from Harry Tector! This is another slower ball, dug into the pitch and over middle and leg. Tector picks it up and pulls it a long way in front of mid-wicket for a huge hit. The ball is lost as well. 16 needed now off 10 balls.

Starts off with a length ball, slower in pace and around off. Dockrell plays it on the up and towards long off for a single.

George Dockrell is the next man in.

OUT! TAKEN! Fifty and out for Lorcan Tucker. This is full and around off, in the slot as well, Lorcan Tucker moves across and slog-sweeps it towards the deep mid wicket fence. As it is the longer side, the ball goes high in the air but does not go the distance. Rashid Khan there settles under it and takes a nice catch. 23 runs needed in 12 balls now. We are in for a thrilling finish.

A low full toss and on middle, Harry Tector moves across and tucks it straight to short fine leg for one. He is dissappointed with himself as it was there to be put away.

Two more. This is in the blockhole and on middle and leg, Harry Tector digs it out well through mid-wicket and adds two more to the total.

Good running there. This is on a hard length and on leg, slower too, Harry Tector makes room and whips it of his bottom edge toward deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Fifty for Lorcan Tucker. This has been a great innigs under pressure. This is a bit full and on off, Lorcan Tucker moves across and sweeps it towards short fine leg for a single.

FOUR! DEFT TOUCH! This is on a length and outside off, Lorcan Tucker opens the face of his bat and guides it just past the keeper and towards the third man fence for a boundary.

Another change in the bowling as Naveen-ul-Haq comes on to bowl.

Ends the over brilliantly! 33 needed in 18! A yorker outside off, it is jammed out towards cover for one.

Two! A low full toss outside off, this is jammed through covers for two.

Harry Tector looks to be innovative! Moves right across, this is a slower one outside off. Tector swings again but misses. It hits the body and rolls on the off side. A leg bye taken.

Just another one! Outstanding. A yorker outside off, it is jammed towards cover for one.

Just the one this time! Full and on off, a slower one. It is hit straight to long off for one.

Two! 39 needed in 23. Length and on off, this is hit down to long off for two.

Fazalhaq Farooqi (2-0-15-0) is back on.

BEATEN! This is quicker and flatter, around off, Lorcan Tucker looks to cut it away but misses.

Rashid pushes this wider and Tucker can only manage to tap it towards point.

On the pads again, this is just nudged away towards square leg.

WIDE! This is spilled down the leg side, Tucker misses the sweep and a wide is called.

Good running! This is quicker and flatter, turning into the pads, Lorcan Tucker goes back in his crease and works it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Tossed up a bit, around off and it is the googly. Tector lofts it down towards long off for a single.

A flatter delivery, around off, Harry Tector gets squared out and edges it out towards cover-point.

Rashid Khan is back on for his final over.

A single to end a brilliant over from Mujeeb! He has got his team back in the game! On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

Harry Tector walks in at number 4 for Ireland.

OUT! TAKEN! There is the breakthrough Afghanistan were so desperate for! The skipper, Andy Balbirnie has to depart and the stand which was taking the game away has been broken. 46 needed in 31. This is on middle, Andy Balbirnie brings out the slog sweep, it is to the longer side and the fielder in the deep takes a well-judged catch.

Yet another dot! That was stopped well! Fuller and on off, this is driven hard but to covers.

Tosses it up outside off, Andy Balbirnie looks to sweep but it goes off the toe-end towards short third man.

A yorker outside off, it is jammed out towards cover for one.

Shorter and outside off, this is played through point for one.

On middle, this is flicked through mid-wicket for one. Fifty for Andy Balbirnie, a solid knock but he would love to take his side over the line.

More dots needed! On middle, this is worked towards the right of the bowler.

Two more! Shorter and outside off, this is cut through point for two.

On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Make that two in a row now! On middle, this is swept behind square on the leg side for another boundary. Difficult to see Afghanistan get back into this game now.

FOUR! A boundary to begin the over and Ireland marching along nicely! On middle, this is hit down the ground, straight and into the fence.

Mohammad Nabi (2-0-15-1) brings himself back on.

Another run to end! The runs continue to flow for Afghanistan! On middle, this is swept towards deep square leg for one.

A single now as this is pushed towards cover. Good sensible batting!

FOUR! Nice and fine! Yet another boundary in this over! On the pads, Andy Balbirnie plays it behind square on the leg side for a boundary.

On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one more.

On middle, this is nudged through the leg side for another single.

Just the one! A full toss on middle, this is played through square leg for one.

Rashid Khan is back into the attack. Can he be the man to provide the breakhtrough for Afghanistan?

Shorter and outside off, this is guided to point. A dot to end but a productive over for the hosts.

On the pads, this is worked towards short fine leg for one.

FOUR! A boundary is being found every over! On middle, the sweep is out, it is hit towards deep squre leg for a boundary. Afghainstan under huge pressure now.

On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

Misfield and two more! Shorter and outside off, Andy Balbirnie cuts it through point. The fielder in the deep fumbles, two taken.

Shorter and around off, this is guided to point.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman is brought back into the attack.

SIX! Bang! The last ball spoils the over completely! This is a full toss on middle, it is heaved over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. Ireland's game to lose now. 77 in 54.

A slower one, well outside off, Tucker slashes at it but misses.

FOUR! Really clever from Tucker! He moves right across, this is on a length and outside off, he manages to paddle it over short fine leg for a boundary.

Short and wide outside off, bowling to his field, this is cut to deep point for one.

Tucker steps out and this is bowled wide outside off, it is slapped through covers for one.

A dot to begin after the break! Afhganistan need more dots to build pressure! On middle, this is played back to the bowler.

Drinks! This has been a really good session for Ireland. Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie both scored at a good rate but Stirling got out cheaply. But that did not effect Balbirnie as he looks in good touch. Afghanistan needs a wicket now to get back into this game. Let's see how things pans out. Also, Azmatullah Omarzai is back into the attack for Afghanistan.

Goes full again and on off, Lorcan Tucker flicks it to wide of long on for one and keeps the strike.

Tossed up full and on middle, Andy Balbirnie sweeps it again towards deep mid wicket for one.

Quicker one and on middle, skids through, Andy Balbirnie works it to mid-wicket.

FOUR! Good shot! This is flighted and around off, full too, Andy Balbirnie goes inside out and lofts it over extra cover and picks up a boundary.

Floated full  and on off, Andy Balbirnie moves across and sweeps it wide of deep mid-wicekt for a brace.

BEATEN! This is nicely tossed up and on off, Andy Balbirnie makes room to cut at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Floated and on middle, Lorcan Tucker knocks it to the right of the bowler.

A googly now, on middle, Andy Balbirnie drives it to deep cover for one.

Darts this one full and on leg, Lorcan Tucker flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Nice shot! This is tossed up full and down the leg, Lorcan Tucker goes down and sweeps it fine towards the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Pushed through quicker, full and outside off, Andy Balbirnie pushes it towards deep point for a single.

Floated and around, a bit short, Lorcan Tucker tucks it through mid-wicket for one.

Fuller and darted onto the pads, Lorcan Tucker sweeps it away to deep backward square leg for a single.

Full and wide, driven towards extra cover where the fielder makes a good stop.

Just short! This is quicker and fuller, around off, Tucker looks to play it leg side but gets a leading edge. The ball just evades the diving cover-point fielder and the batters get back for two.

OUT! TAKEN! What an absolute brilliant catch by Fazalhaq Farooqi! Paul Stirling will be kicking himself, it was there to be hit but he holes out. This is shorter from Mohammad Nabi and bowled quite a bit wider as well. Stirling rocks back and looks to play it aerially. Stirling ends up slicing it a bit and the ball goes high towards the cover fence. It seems to be just sailing over but Fazalhaq Farooqi stetches his hands over his shoulders and grabs it with his right hand, keeping his balance in the process. Also, Lorcan Tucker walks out to bat now.

FOUR! Just past the man! This is tossed up around off, Paul Stirling pre-meditates the reverse sweep and hits it flat, past the diving fielder at short third man for a boundary.

Loopy delivery to start off with from Nabi, full and on off. Paul Stirling looks to flick it away but gets a leading edge towards short cover.

Mohammad Nabi, the skipper brings himself into the attack now.

A bit fuller and fired in on leg stump, Paul Stirling drives it through wide mid on for a single. Tidy start from Rashid Khan, just the 4 singles off it.

Slows it up a touch and bowls it on off, Stirling just defends it out.

On the pads again and worked past square leg for a single by Balbirnie.

On the shorter side, on middle and leg, Stirling just nudges it through mid-wicket for a run.

Swing and a miss! Around off and it is the googly, Paul Stirling decides to get low and slog it away but he is beaten all ends up.

Starts off with a quicker delivery, full and wide and sliding on. Andy Balbirnie drives it nicely through covers and picks up a single.

Rashid Khan is now into the attack.

A dot to end the over then. This is on a length and on middle, Paul Stirling knocks it towards covers.

Full and around off, Andy Balbirnie drives it through cover-point and rotates the strike.

FOUR! Lovely shot! This is on a good length and on the pads, slower too, Andy Balbirnie helps it towards the fine leg fence for a boundary. That brings up the 50 partnership between these two.

Slower again, on a length and on leg, Paul Stirling nudges it through square leg for a single.

SIX! HUGE! A slower one, full and on middle, in the slot, Paul Stirling picks it up early and lofts it over the long on fence for a biggie.

WIDE! Looses his line a bit as this is bowled full, but way down the leg side. Wided.

Fuller one and around off, Andy Balbirnie drives it towards deep point for one.

Full again and outside off, Paul Stirling swats this one wide of long on for a brace. A good over for Ireland as they get 13 runs from it.

Goes full and on middle and off, dipping too, Paul Stirling looks to work it away to the leg side but gets a slight inside edge onto his pads.

Length delivery and around off, Paul Stirling stays there and tries to pull but mistimes it towards mid on.

The ball has disappeared out of the ground! The fourth umpire is on the pitch with a box full of spare balls. The umpires chose one and we are good to continue.

SIX! This time Paul Stirling connects well and sends it all the way. This is short and on middle, Paul Stirling picks up the length early and smokes it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

FOUR! A lucky one but Ireland will take it. This is full and on middle, in the slot, Paul Stirling lofts it just wide of the mid on fielder for a welcome boundary. The fielder there could have done better.

This is on a hard length and around off, Andy Balbirnie punches it towards cover-point for a single.

Azmatullah Omarzai to have a bowl now.

A maiden! Would you believe it? This is pitched up around off, Paul Stirling backs away yet again and only manges to loft it towards the man at extra cover. Top over from Naveen-ul-Haq and Ireland's fast start has become a bit stagnant.

Make that five dots on the trot! Length again, on off, Paul Stirling backs away looking to open up the off side but only manages to cut it straight towards point.

A fourth dot in a row now and this will be frustrating Paul Stirling. Fullish delivery, angling into the pads and a bit slower. Stirling flicks it uppishly towards mid-wicket.

Full and straight, Stirling pushes it back towards the bowler who has taken a blow on one of his fingers while making the stop. Naveen-ul-Haq seems fine though.

This is a bit fuller and wider, Paul Stirling tries to shuffle across and get low to slog it behind square but misses. The ball thuds into the pads and goes nowhere.

Starts off with a length ball, close to the off stump, Stirling just opens the face of the bat and guides it towards short third man. There is an easy single on offer but they don't take it.

Naveen-ul-Haq comes into the attack.

FOUR! Short and punished! This is around the hips, Andy Balbirnie just short-arm jabs it one bounce into the backward square leg fence. This is a strong start for Ireland so far.

Length and on the pads, Paul Stirling just nudges it in front of square leg and races through for the single.

Farooqi takes pace off the ball and serves it around off, Andy Balbirnie has a push at it and gets it to the left of the man at mid off for a quick run.

Much better from Farooqi. This is on a good length and in that channel around off, Balbirnie plays inside the line of the ball.

FOUR! Glorious from the Irish skipper. Full and outside off, Balbirnie crouches a bit and then rises up to drive it on the up and through extra cover for a boundary.

Fullish delivery, on middle and leg, Andy Balbirnie flicks it off the inner half of the bat and behind square on the leg side for a couple of runs.

Flighted full and around middle, Paul Stirling knocks it back to the bowler. 11 runs from the over.

EDGED AND FOUR! This is quicker and short on middle, Paul Stirling makes room and slashes hard at it. The ball goes of the outside edge past the keeper and into the third man fence for a boundary. This is turning out to be an expensive over.

Tossed up full and on middle, Andy Balbirnie goes for the sweep again but this time finds the fielder at deep square leg. A single taken.

Good comeback by Mujeeb. This is slower through the air and on off, Andy Balbirnie looks to cut at it but misses.

SIX! BANG! This is floated full and around off, Andy Balbirnie goes down and slog-sweeps it over the backward square fence for the first maximum of the innings.

Tossed up full and on middle, Andy Balbirnie blocks it out.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to operate from the opposite end.

On a length and on off, Paul Stirling mistimes it back to the bowler.

Length delivery and on middle, shaping in, Paul Stirling tries to work it to the leg side but misses and gets hit on the pads. There is an appeal for LBW but turned down.

WIDE! This is on a length and down the leg, Paul Stirling leaves it alone. Wided.

Full again and on off, Paul Stirling knocks it back towards the bowler.

Full and on middle, Andy Balbirnie tucks it wide of mid on for a single and gets off the mark.

On a length and on middle and off, Paul Stirling pushes it with the outer half towards point for a single. Ireland ​​​​and Paul Stirling are underway.

Starts with a full delivery and on off from over the wicket, Paul Stirling knocks it towards mid off.

Two more to end the innings and the last over has changed the complexion of the game tottaly. 21 from it! A slower one on middle, this is lofted towards deep mid-wicket for two.

Two more! He keeps strike! A full toss on middle, this is hit down to long on, not timed that well and hence, two taken.

FOUR! Over the off side. Adair has been taken to the cleaners here! This is full and outside off, Zadran lofts it over covers and bags a boundary.

SIX! BANG! All the way again! The last over is turning the tide into the favor of the visitors! Short again, this is a massive hit. It is hammered over the mid-wicket. Two biggies in a row and now 170 is possible.

SIX! BANG! That has gone a long way! Short and on the body, this is pulled over the fine leg fence for a biggie. Welcome one.

Safe! A single to begin the last over! Singles is something Ireland. Naveen-ul-Haq steps out, this is banged short on the body. Naveen-ul-Haq looks to work it on the leg side but it goes off the leading edge towards mid on for one.

Naveen-ul-Haq is in at number 9.

OUT! CAUGHT! Barry McCarthy gets the dangerous Rashid Khan! Barry McCarthy sticks to his plan of bowling full and outside off, Rashid Khan moves across and and tries to loft it over covers but cannot get the power and the ball goes in the air. George Dockrell at long off, runs to his left, settles under it and takes a good catch.

Fuller and on off, Ibrahim Zadran drills it with the toe end towards deep point for a run.

Swing and a miss! This is on a hard length and on off, Ibrahim Zadran throws his bat at it but gets beaten all ends up.

Barry McCarthy needs to correct his line a bit. This is full again and outside off, way outside off. It is called a wide.

Fullish one and around off, Ibrahim Zadran this time connects and drills it towards deep point for a brace.

FOUR BYES! This is full and wide of off stump, Ibrahim Zadran moves across to cut at it but misses and it goes through Lorcan Tucker's leg and towards the third man fence for four byes. Afghanistan will surely take this.

Full again and outside off again, Ibrahim Zadran slashes and gets beaten. This time the umpire says that it is a legal delivery.

WIDE! This is full and outsdie off, Ibrahim Zadran lets it go to the keeper. It is called a wide.

Barry McCarthy (3-0-29-2) to bowl the penultimate over of the innings.

A single to end an excellent over from Delany! A really good spell from him too. Shorter and on off, this is guided to point for one.

Another loud appeal but turned down! On the pads, Rashid looks to play the paddle sweep but misses. He gets hit on the pads. A huge appeal but turned down. A run taken.

Shorter and on off, this is guided to point.

On off, this is pushed through mid-wicket for one.

Loud appeal but turned down! On middle, this lands and goes on with the arm. Zadran looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. A little too high maybe. A dot nevertheless.

A low full toss, a watchful approach by Rashid first up as he works it through mid-wicket for one.

Rashid Khan is in next.

OUT! CAUGHT! Straight to the man and Josh Little gets the better of Azmatullah Omarzai in the end. Back of a length and well outside off, Omarzai just tries to cut it aerially and over the third man fence. Omarzai gets no power on it and the ball flies down the throat of the man stationed at the third man fence. Curtis Campher takes a simple catch and Afghanistan losing too many wickets here.

SIX! Muscled! Azmatullah Omarzai stays back expecting the short and he gets just what he wanted. This is banged in over middle, Omarzai rides the bounce well and pulls it hard and flat over the square leg fence and straight into the advertising hoarding.

Little takes pace off the ball and bowls it wide of the off stump, Zadran just waits for it and guides it down to third man for a single.

Good length, around off, this is played off the back foot past backward point for a single.

A sharp bumper now, around off, Omarzai looks to uppercut it but is beaten for pace and bounce as well.

EDGED AND FOUR! Josh Little comes from around the wicket and angles it in on a length from well outside off. Azmatullah Omarzai hangs back and has a slash at it. The ball goes off the underedge and into the vacant third man fence.

Josh Little (3-0-21-0) comes back in to finish his spell.

A dot to end! Outstanding stuff! Shorter and outside off, this is cut but to point.

Azmatullah Omarzai is in next for Afghanistan.

OUT! TAKEN! Straight to the man and Ireland are coming back strongly into the game! Three wickets in quick succession and that is the best way to stem the run flow. Nabi is very disappointed with himself. This was there to be hit and he knows it. This is short and on middle, Nabi stays back and pulls but straight to the man at deep mid-wicket. This is turning out to be another excellent over.

Shorter and on middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

That is a gift of a run! On off, Nabi looks to drop and run but is sent back. The keeper fires in a wide throw to the bowler and it goes down to long on for one.

Shorter and on off, this is pushed down to long off for one more.

Just the one! Fuller and on off, this is hit down to long off for one.

George Dockrell is brought back into the attack.

Yes, he does! On middle, this is clipped through square leg for a single.

A short one, Zadran pulls it well towards deep square leg for one. Can Barry McCarthy end the over well now?

Good length and on off, this one jags back in. Nabi looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It rolls on the off side for one.

Ibrahim Zadran is the new man in.

OUT! TAKEN! That is a huge wicket at this time! Usman Ghani, the well-set batter is out of here. Barry McCarthy's move has worked! We did not feel it was the right one as he has been expensive but he gets the vital breakthrough. Two wickets in quick succession and Ireland now have two new batters at the crease. Just what they would have wanted, heading into the last 5. A slower one on middle, Ghani is early in the whip, it goes off the top edge towards deep mid-wicket. Taken really well by Harry Tector.

Good length and outside off, this is guided down to third man for one more.

Starts well! Length and on off, it is mistimed towards mid off for one.

The skipper, Mohammad Nabi walks in at number 5.

OUT! TAKEN! That is a huge wicket! Najibullah Zadran can be very dangerous towards the end. Gareth Delany gets a well-deserved wicket. He has been really good with the ball. This is tossed up outside off, it seems to be the googly, Zadran swings, it goes more off the outer half towards point. The fielder, Andy McBrine runs back and takes a good catch. Can Ireland build from here now?

That is brilliant from Andy McBrine! On middle, this is swept towards deep square leg. The fielder there runs to his left and manages to push it back in really well. Saves three for his side.

Shorter and outside off, this is slapped through covers for one.

SIX! BANG! All the way! That was in the slot! Full and outside off, this is lofted over the long off fence for a biggie. Afghanistan on the charge now.

On middle, this is clipped through mid-wicket for one.

Ghani will feel he missed out there! On the pads, he looks to sweep but misses to get hit on the pads.

A single to end! Outside off, a full toss, it is hit through point for one. End of an expensive over from Little.

EDGY FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Ghani throws his bat at it, it flies off the outside edge and goes down to the third man fence. Second boundary in the over and it is not a good comeback for Little so.

Two more and that is fifty for Ghani! Began slowly but has played brilliantly. Can he stay there till the end now? On off, he guides it wide of the fielder at deep point for two.

FOUR! That is not the best of balls! Short and on the body with the fine leg and the square leg in the ring. This is pulled nicely past the latter and into the fence. A welcome boundary for Afghanistan.

Angled into the pads, this is worked down to deep square leg for one.

Short and outside off, bowling to his field, making the batter hit to the longer side. This is cut down to point for one.

Josh Little (2-0-8-0) comes back into the attack now.

Darts this one and on middle, a bit short too, Usman Ghani pulls it hard towards the deep square leg fence but the fiedler there does well to cut it out and keeps it down to one.

Floated full and on middle and off, Najibullah Zadran lofts in the air and towards long on for just a single.

Short and outside off, Najibullah Zadran stays back and cuts it towards deep point for a brace.

Loopy delivery and on middle, Usman Ghani skips down the track and tucks it away wide of deep square leg for another run.

Tossed up full and on off, Najibullah Zadran goes for the heave over mid-wicket but gets an inside edge through square leg for a run.

Quicker and flatter on the leg stump,. Usman Ghani whips it away towards deep square leg for one.

Gareth Delany (1-0-7-0) is back on.

Slower again, full and around off, Usman Ghani this time digs it towards mid off and picks up a single.

Slower one, full and outside off, Usman Ghani looks to play at it but gets beaten by lack of pace on it.

Length again and outside off, Usman Ghani looks to slash it away without any footwork but cannot connect.

On a length and outside off, way outside off for the umpire's liking. Wided.

Length delivery and on off, Najibullah Zadran tucks it away through mid-wicket for another single.

WIDE! Adair tries the bouncer, on middle, but bowls it way above head height. Wided.

This is on a good length and around off, Usman Ghani tries to pull but mistimes it towards long on for one.

Short and on middle, Najibullah Zadran gets into position early and pulls it towards deep square leg for a single.

A single to end a fruitful over by George Dockrell, just 3 runs and a wicket off it. This is shorter and on leg stump, Najibullah Zadran eases it in front of mid-wicket and gets across for a single. At the halfway mark, Afghanistan are 78/2!

On a length and outside off, this is punched away with soft hands by Ghani through point for a single.

Drinks! Afghanistan started well with Rahmanullah Gurbaz scoring runs qucikly and used the Powerplay well. He gave away his wicket and gace Ireland the chance to squeeze them in and they have done that. Hashmatullah Shahidi was looking good too but he has been sent packing as well. The game is in the balance now and an exciting session awaits us. Also, Najibullah Zadran comes out to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! George Dockrell picks up a wicket in his first over and breaks the stand. This is floated up around middle, Hashmatullah Shahidi gets down on one knee and looks for the slog sweep. Shahidi mistimes it badly as the ball goes off the top edge and over short fine leg. Paul Stirling over there runs back and takes an assured catch over his shoulders. Shahidi departs after a sluggish innings.

WIDE! Tries to bowl close to the tramline again but this is well wide, left alone by the batter.

A tad bit short and well outside off, Shahidi just taps it towards point.

And again! This is angled across the left-hander and hugging the tramline outside off. This time Hashmatullah Shahidi attempts the reverse sweep but misses.

Dockrell starts from around the wicket and slides it well across the off stump, Shahidi looks to cut it late but misses.

George Dockrell is into the attack now.

Around the top of off, this is cut away towards backward point.

SIX! Easily done! This is a half-volley, angling down the leg side, Usman Ghani uses his wrists to whip it away behind square and all the way for a maximum.

Switches to around the wicket now for the left-hander and bowls it full and wide, taking a bit pace off it as well. Hashmatullah Shahidi just eases it to the right of the point fielder and picks up a single.

Good length, angling onto the pads, Ghani tucks it away towards mid-wicket and rotates the strike.

FOUR! It's the hard length again but there's some width on offer, Usman Ghani throws his hands at it and slashes it behind point for a cracking boundary.

Hits the length hard and bowls it over off stump, Ghani defends it out with soft hands.

Andy Balbirnie keeps chopping and changing his bowlers as Barry McCarthy is brought back on.

Darts this one and on middle, Usman Ghani tucks it wide of short fine leg for a run. So, 9 runs from the over despite the boundary.

Short and around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi knocks it towards covers for a run.

FOUR! Good shot! This is again tossed up and outside off, Hashmatullah Shahidi moves across and sweeps it hard towards the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

Tossed up full and on off, Hashmatullah Shahidi goes for the reverse sweep but hits it straight to the short third man fielder.

Looped up, outside off and angling away, Hashmatullah Shahidi offers no shot at it.

Starts with a short delivery and on middle, Usman Ghani flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Spin from both ends now as Gareth Delany is brought into the attack.

A bit short again and on off, Hashmatullah Shahidi guides it towards cover-point.

Short and on middle, Usman Ghani punches it of his back foot towards long on for another run.

Floated full and on middle and off, Hashmatullah Shahidi eases it towards long on for one.

A bit short and on middle, Usman Ghani goes back and nudges it towards mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! BOOM! This is flighted full and around off, Usman Ghani makes room and smokes it over extra covers for a biggie.

Tossed up full and on middle, Usman Ghani blocks it down the pitch.

Andy McBrine (1-0-9-0) is back on.

Full and straight, this is pushed away towards mid on for a quick single. At the end of the Powerplay, Afghanistan are 47/1!

Good length, around off, this is dabbed away towards cover-point.

Now a bouncer, bowled around off and almost flying over the head of the batter. Ghani tries to uppercut it but misses.

Around the hips, neatly tucked away 'round the corner for a single.

FOUR! Another edgy boundary. This is dug in short and over off, Ghani looks to step out and force it leg side but gets another outside edge. The ball goes towards third man for yet another boundary.

FOUR! Streaky boundary but Usman Ghani will take it. This is on a length and outside off, Ghani steps out and throws the kitchen sink at it. The ball flies off the top edge and over short third man for a boundary.

Only one over of spin then as Mark Adair is brought back into the attack.

FOUR! Nicely played! Good length, angling across the left-hander, Hashmatullah Shahidi waits for it and cuts it late, behind point for a boundary to get his innings going.

Hashmatullah Shahidi walks out to bat at Number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Barry McCarthy has the last laugh as he sends Rahmanullah Gurbaz packing! On a good length and around middle, Gurbaz walks across the leg stump and tries to force the lofted shot over extra cover. The ball goes off the top edge and lobs up around the mid off region. Harry Tector over there takes a few steps forward and grabs it comfortably. Gurbaz throws his wicket away just when he started to look good.

Around the top of off, Gurbaz stays watchful and just blocks it out.

Back of a length, angling it into the body. Gurbaz tries to play it off the back foot but misses and gets hit on the body.

FOUR! And again! Just short of a length and over middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz takes it on and muscles it over mid-wicket this time for yet another boundary. He looks in full flow now.

FOUR! Shot! Barry McCarthy starts off with a short ball outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz hangs back and just flat-bats it over the mid off fielder for a boundary.

Barry McCarthy is into the attack now.

Darts this one full and on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz works it wide of mid-wicket for one. A good over for Afghanistan as they get 15 runs from it.

FOUR! Rahmanullah Gurbaz is getting into his groove. This is tossed up full and on middle and off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz goes down for the slog-sweep but gets a thick outside edge over the short fine leg fielder for a boundary.

Quicker and flatter on off, Usman Ghani opens the face of his bat and pushes it towards covers for a quick single.

A bit short and on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz stays back and forces it towards long on for a single.

FOUR! This time a controlled shot from Gurbaz. A flighted delivery and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz skips down the track and lofts it towards the long off fence for another boundary.

EDGED AND FOUR! This is tossed up and around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz leans on to block it but gets a thin outside edge towards the third man fence for a boundary.

Andy McBrine comes in as first change.

Fuller one and outside off, Usman Ghani drives it frimly towards covers. The fielder there makes a half stop and the batters get a comfortable two. Only 3 runs from the over.

Length delivery and on off, Usman Ghani stays back and guides it to point.

Goes short again and on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz goes for the pull but mistimes it badly towards mid on for a single.

On a length and around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz dabs it towards bacward point.

A bit short and outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz again tries to slash at it but gets beaten by the pace.

Bowls this full and outside off from 'round the wicket, Rahmanullah Gurbaz tries to carve it away from his crease but misses it completely.

Length ball, outside off, this is driven towards covers for a quick run.

This should have been put away! Short and wide, Rahmanullah Gurbaz goes a bit too hard at it and ends up missing it completely.

Ireland continue with the short stuff to Gurbaz and he is getting a bit tied down. This is a quick bumper, over leg stump, Gurbaz looks to take it on but is beaten for pace.

A touch fuller and well outside off, this is slashed away to deep point for just a single.

Just a tad bit short and well outside off, Usman Ghani's eyes light up as he looks to slap it away but misses. Opportunity missed there for the batter.

Adair starts off with a gentle-paced delivery, full and outside off, Gurbaz strokes it away to sweeper cover for a single.

Who will bowl from the other end? It will be Mark Adair.

FOUR! Short again from Little but defers in line and pays the price. This is around the hips, Usman Ghani swivels and helps it away into the fine leg fence to get off the mark with a boundary. Five runs come off the first over.

Pitches it a bit further up now and serves it around off, Usman Ghani watchfully defends it out towards cover.

Afghanistan are underway! This is on a length, on middle and leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz tucks it straight to square leg and sets off for a quick single.

Another short ball, this time over middle and zipping through. Gurbaz bends his back and sways away from the line of the ball.

A bit of aggression straightaway from Little. This is a bumper, around head height and over leg stump. Gurbaz ducks under it well.

Little starts off with a back-of-a-length delivery, angling across the right-hander. Rahmanullah Gurbaz goes on the back foot and keeps it down on the off side.

Done with the pre-match formalities and we are ready for play! The umpires are out in the middle as the Irish players can be seen in a huddle. The Afghan opening pair of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Usman Ghani stride out to the middle as well. It will be Josh Little who will get proceedings underway with the ball for Ireland. Let's play...

We are moments away from the start of play. But before that, the two teams line-up for their respective national anthems. It will be Afghanistan's national anthem first, followed by the national anthem of Ireland.

Andy Balbirnie, the Irish captain says that they would have batted first too and the surface looks a good one but will try to restrict the opponents. Says that the performances against South Africa were good but they didn't bowl well later on and will try to improve upon it. Adds that the ground has smaller boundaries and the surface is good and will, try to do good with bat and ball. Ends by saying that they are going with the same team as in the final game against South Africa and will look to do well because it's basically the last series before they head off for the T20 World Cup.

Afghanistan skipper, Mohammad Nabi says that they will bat first. He says that the wicket looks dry and good to bat on. He says that it is a lot different from Asian wickets but they had 2-3 practice sessions to get used to the conditions. He ends by saying that they will try to do well in this series and try to prepare for the World Cup.

Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Usman Ghani, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi (C), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Ireland (Playing XI) - Paul Stirling, Andy Balbirnie (C), Lorcan Tucker (WK), Harry Tector, Gareth Delany, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy and Josh Little.

TOSS - Afghanistan have won the toss and they will BAT first.

The Irish are back in action! They’ve been playing quite a lot of cricket recently and now they face Afghanistan in a T20I series. Ireland have been quite competitive in their recent games and we expect them to put up another good show against an Afghanistan side that could find it tough in conditions with which they are not familiar too. The visitors though have an upper hand on the home side in this format. This promises to be an exciting contest between the two. Stay tuned for the toss and team sheets.