AFG beat IRE by 29 runs | Afghanistan vs Ireland, Highlights And Cricket Score 1st ODI Match - Commentary

The visiting team, on the back of two 50-plus partnerships, first a 53-run stand between Gulbadin Naib and Rahmat Shah and then a 77-run stand between Naib and his skipper, were on course for a score of around 240-50. However, the Irish pacers came back strongly at the death, with Tim Murtagh taking career-best figures in this format. The Irish batsmen now have their work cut out. It will all depend on how they handle the Afghanistan spinners. After the T20I disappointment, can they show some grit and character to chase this one down and go one up in the series? We will find out on the other side of the break...

And Afghanistan end with a respectable total of 227. At one stage, when their skipper, Stanikzai and Shahidi were on the crease, they looked like crossing the 250-run mark easily. However, the Irish pacers, Murtagh and Rankin, with some tight bowling and some clever change of pace, did not allow the Afghanistan's lower order to run away with the game. Even though the visiting team's middle order milked the Irish spinners well through the middle phase of the innings, they would have dearly liked one of them to stay out there till the end and cross the three-figure mark. The regular fall of wickets after the 43rd over helped the home team to tighten the screws on the away team's run flow.

Boyd Rankin to Aftab Alam. Play and a miss to end the innings. 9 off the over, the tourists will be happy with that. Full toss fired well outside off, Alam fails to make any sort of connection. AFGHANISTAN FINISH ON 227/9!

Boyd Rankin to Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Shortens the length again on this occasion, it's pulled to deep square leg for one.

Boyd Rankin to Aftab Alam. Full in line of the stumps, driven through mid on for a run.

Boyd Rankin to Aftab Alam. SIX! Puts that away, for sure! Alam makes room and Rankin follows him with a shorter one. The batsman still swings and gets a lot of power behind it. Just about manages to clear a leaping Simi Singh at deep square leg and that's a biggie. Vital runs, these.

Boyd Rankin to Aftab Alam. Pounded in short, in line of the stumps, Alam looks to pull but misses.

Boyd Rankin to Mujeeb Ur Rahman. A slower bouncer from Rankin, Mujeeb just swings and somehow manages to swat it through to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Peter Chase to Aftab Alam. Outside off on a length, it's the slower one, Alam plays and misses.

Peter Chase to Aftab Alam. Shaping back in on middle and leg, Alam slogs it through the square leg region for a double.

Peter Chase to Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Fuller in length on this occasion, it's lofted down to long on for an easy run.

Peter Chase to Aftab Alam. Short in length, pulled away to deep backward square leg for a single.

Peter Chase to Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Some extra bounce for Peter Chase. Hits the deck hard and generates some extra bounce. Mujeeb gets it off the splice and luckily for him, it falls safely beside the cover fielder. One run taken.

Peter Chase to Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Big swing and a miss from Mujeeb! Length delivery outside off, cuts back in slightly, the batsman looks to go big downtown but fails to connect.

Boyd Rankin to Aftab Alam. The short ball again, attempted pull again and a third miss in a row. Good end to a tidy over.

Boyd Rankin to Aftab Alam. Alam goes for the pull against this short ball. Again misses and it's another dot ball. This is not good for the visitors. Alam needs to get some bat on ball.

Boyd Rankin to Aftab Alam. Returns back to a back of a length delivery, Alam swings at it but misses completely. Dot ball.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman is the last man in.

Boyd Rankin to Shafiqullah. OUT! Rankin gets his third. Takes the risk, goes for the short ball option. The ball rises a bit more than Shafiqullah expected and takes the top edge. The fielder at deep square leg settles under the ball and takes an easy catch. Afghanistan lose their 9th.

Boyd Rankin to Shafiqullah. Shafiqullah is beaten. This back of a length off cutter pitches on off and moves away ever so slightly to beat the outside edge of his bat.

Boyd Rankin to Shafiqullah. Rankin keeps it on a length on the stumps. Shafiqullah goes for the wild slog, connects crisply. The fielder at the deep-mid wicket boundary gets ready but can just watch it sail over his head. Golden runs these for the visitors.

Boyd Rankin back into the bowling attack.

Tim Murtagh to Aftab Alam. Drills this full ball straight to covers. Alam will feel he is unlucky, a little to the right or left of the fielder and they could have got some important runs.

Tim Murtagh to Aftab Alam. Murtagh keeps it tight on the length and in line of the off stump. Alam drives it to mid on but there is no chance of a single.

Tim Murtagh to Shafiqullah. Full and straight delivery angling into the stumps, Shafiqullah drills this one straight down the ground. The batsmen get a single.

Tim Murtagh to Aftab Alam. Taps this short of a length delivery towards the point region. They cross over for a single.

Aftab Alam is the next batsman in.

Tim Murtagh to Rashid Khan. OUT! The ball is just not coming on, or is it clever bowling by the Irish bowler taking the pace off the ball? Khan tries to go for the full-blooded cover drive but gets beaten for pace. He plays the shot way too early and the ball lobs to the cover fielder who takes an absolute dolly. The hosts striking at the right time.

Tim Murtagh to Rashid Khan. Works this length ball on the stumps towards mid-wicket. No run.

Peter Chase to Shafiqullah. Dot ball to end the over. Cramps the batsman with the shortish ball, shaping back in, Shafiq taps this towards the point region.

Peter Chase to Rashid Khan. Opens the face at the last moment to this back of a length ball outside off. The ball runs down to third man and a single is added to the score.

Peter Chase to Shafiqullah. Chase angles this one in from a length. Shafiq tries to flick it but fails to make contact and gets hit low on the pads. They pick up a single. Leg byes given by the umpire.

Peter Chase to Rashid Khan. Bye! Chase bangs this one shorter than the previous deliveries and surprises Rashid. Khan ducks under it but the keeper behind fumbles and they cross over for a bye.

Peter Chase to Shafiqullah. Shortish ball outside off is tapped to the point region for a single.

Peter Chase to Shafiqullah. Keeps it tight. Shortish on off stump. The batsman gets back and across as he whips it to the square leg region. The ball is not timed perfectly but that works well for two batsmen as they scamper back for a second.

Tim Murtagh to Rashid Khan. Full outside off, Rashid Khan drives it to covers.

Rashid Khan strides out to bat next for his country.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Nabi. OUT! Second of the over for Murtagh. 3rd in 8 balls for Ireland. Proving to be a productive phase for the hosts. Back of a length ball on off which kicks off the deck. Takes the experienced Mohammad Nabi by surprise as he looks to flick. It pops off the leading edge and it's the simplest of catches for Balbirnie at cover.

Tim Murtagh to Shafiqullah. Works it through mid-wicket and gets off the mark with a single.

Tim Murtagh to Shafiqullah. Just ahead of a length, around off, Shafiq with a solid defensive shot in response.

Shafiqullah Shafiq is next in.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. OUT! Another one down for Afghanistan! Murtagh bowls it short and it's the cutter as well. The lack of pace becomes Shahidi's undoing. He looks to power it over mid-wicket but mistimes it towards Balbirnie positioned there. No mistake made, the catch is taken. A bit of a stumble for the visitors here towards the fag end.

Tim Murtagh to Mohammad Nabi. Back of a length delivery on middle, Nabi nudges it behind square leg and gets to the other end.

Peter Chase to Hashmatullah Shahidi. He tries to heave this one through the mid-wicket region. But this shortish ball outside off bounces a bit more than the batsman expected and the ball flies over his bat and through to the keeper. Another dot.

Peter Chase to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shahidi tries to nudge this length ball towards third man. Does not connect.

Mohammad Nabi will be the new man in.

Peter Chase to Asghar Afghan. OUT! This time the timing and elevation are just not good enough. A splice-tickler again by Chase. Afghan not holding back now, goes for the pull again, but unfortunately for him, manages to find the fielder at the deep square leg boundary who pouches this one safely.

Peter Chase to Asghar Afghan. SIX! BANG! The Afghan skipper takes matter into his own hands. Chase tries to surprise the batsman by changing the length. Bangs this one in but Afghan reads the length early and gets the pull out. He swivels and pulls it with great elevation and timing, which takes the ball sailing over the deep square leg boundary.

Peter Chase to Asghar Afghan. FOUR! Clean striking by the Afghan skipper. Launches this length ball on the stumps over the mid-wicket region. Gets it off the middle of the bat and the timing is good enough to cross the fence.

Peter Chase to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Chase lands this one just short of a length, the ball pitches and moves that wee bit away to take the outside edge and go through the slip region. Good effort by the fielder at the third man fence to save a certain boundary. The batsmen though take just a single.

Peter Chase back on.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. This flighted delivery on off is driven elegantly to mid on to retain strike.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Charges down the track again and plays a beautiful lofted extra cover drive, inside out. The fielder, however, slides and stops the ball from crossing the fence. They cross over for two.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shahidi comes down the track with an attacking intention. Does not get to the pitch of the ball and decides to defend at the very last moment.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. The batsman comes down the track, reaches the pitch of the ball and drives it smoothly to long on for a single.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. This flighted delivery is wristily turned towards mid-wicket. But the fielder there does well to cut off the single.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. Tossed up delivery which is pushed to the cover fielder. No chance of a run.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shortish delivery on off, punched off the back foot to the cover fielder. No run taken.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Short again and Afghan swat-pulls this one from the crease. It takes the inner half of the bat and rolls down to square leg region for a single.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Short ball, Afghan rocks back and pulls this one to the deep square leg fielder. The batsmen come back for a brace.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Second ODI fifty for Shahidi. He has looked calm and composed from the time he's come to the crease, the visiting team would want him to stay till the end and accelerate the scoring rate. He defends this short of a length ball in the cover region and runs through for a quick single.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. This length ball on the middle stump is worked towards mid-wicket, but the fielder cuts it down quickly to stop the single.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Murtagh lands it on a length on the 4th stump line, Shahidi gets behind the line of the delivery and defends.

Tim Murtagh is back into the attack.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Full and straight again by Singh, Shahidi again turns it towards mid-wicket for yet another single.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shahidi goes against the spin and flicks this tossed up delivery on the stumps towards the mid-wicket region for a brace.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. Singh bowls this a bit straight on the pads of the Afghan skipper, who works it down to the square leg region and picks up an easy single.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Tossed up delivery on off is turned wristily towards mid-wicket for a single.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shahidi drills this full delivery towards the mid-wicket region. The batsmen have enough time to come back for the second.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. Afghan goes back to this shortish delivery on the middle and leg stump, flicks it towards square leg for a single.

Powerplay 3 signalled by the umpire. That means a maximum of 5 fielders will be allowed outside the ring till the end of the innings.

Boyd Rankin to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Beaten! This length ball angles in from just outside off, straightens on pitching, and beats the outside edge of Shahidi's bat.

Boyd Rankin to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Lands this a bit shorter around the off pole. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends off the back foot.

Boyd Rankin to Hashmatullah Shahidi. This back of a length ball on off pitches and climbs on the batsman. Shahidi does well to get on top of the bounce and keep this one out.

Boyd Rankin to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Stays back and keeps it out off the back foot.

Boyd Rankin to Asghar Afghan. A short of a length ball on the body is flicked towards the square leg region for a single.

Boyd Rankin to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Opens the face to this back of a length ball shaping away and gets the ball to roll down towards the point region. Allows the pair to take a single.

Boyd Rankin to bowl again.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. This length ball just outside off is glided effortlessly towards the third man region. They run a quick single.

Tim Murtagh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shahidi pokes at this length ball angling away. However, the ball pitches and bounces a bit more. Luckily for Shahidi, the ball misses the outside edge.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Keeps it marginally back of a length outside off, Afghan opens the face of his bat slightly and taps it towards the point region. They steal a quick single.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Afghan has defended this length ball with a straight bat by getting right behind the line.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Fullish delivery on the stumps, wrists it to the short mid-wicket fielder. No run possible.

Tim Murtagh to Asghar Afghan. Murtagh starts off a new spell with a length ball on the stumps and angling into the batsman, Afghan works it with the angle behind square leg. It's in the gap and they manage to come back for the second.

Tim Murtagh back on to bowl.

Peter Chase to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Good end to the over from Chase. Bangs it in short with some decent pace, Shahidi tries to play the ramp shot but fails to connect.

Peter Chase to Asghar Afghan. Marginally behind a length, on middle, Afghan pulls it off the inner half through square leg for a single.

Peter Chase to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Waits for the length delivery to come to him, before opening the face and guiding it to third man. One run added to the total.

Peter Chase to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Straighter in line, on middle and leg, wristed towards mid-wicket. Won't get any run for it though.

Peter Chase to Asghar Afghan. Unnecessary run conceded. Afghan pats it away just wide of cover, takes off but then goes back seeing the fielder have a shy at his end. It misses and so, since nobody is backing up, the batsmen get their run eventually.

Peter Chase to Asghar Afghan. Good length delivery in the channel outside off, tapped down in front of covers.

Peter Chase is back to have a go with the ball.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. Clips this with the spin down towards short fine leg. Quick run stolen. Good running, this.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Wristed down to long on. Comfortable single collected.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Quite slow through the air, drifting in from around off, the southpaw is well forward in defense.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. Confident use of the feet from Asghar. He dances down and drives it to long on for one more.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Leans forward and knocks this one down to long on for a run.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. A loopy off break around off, spinning away, Shahidi drives it to the covers with the turn.

Boyd Rankin to Asghar Afghan. Full ball attacking the stumps, driven to mid on to end a successful over from Boyd Rankin.

Boyd Rankin to Asghar Afghan. Back of a length quite close to off, blocked with a straight blade in response.

A slip in place.

Boyd Rankin to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Fraction straight in line, allows Shahidi to nudge this behind square leg for a single.

Boyd Rankin to Asghar Afghan. Off the mark without wasting any time. Afghan works it off the pads to the leg side and jogs over to the other end.

Asghar Afghan, the skipper, is the next batsman in.

Boyd Rankin to Gulbadin Naib. OUT! Got 'em! Rankin is the man to break the two apart. Talk about impact! Height could have been an issue, but the umpire feels it's fine and that's the end of that. Just behind a length, on the stumps, probably keeps a touch low as it skids off the surface. Naib swings across the line but misses to get hit on the thigh pad. A loud shout and after mulling it over for a few seconds, the umpire raises his finger. Naib seems disappointed, he probably thinks it's going over.

Boyd Rankin to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Seaming away from a good length, around off, Shahidi plays it down to third man. Single collected.

Boyd Rankin is back. Can he be the one to break this partnership?

Drinks break taken. Afghanistan in a good position right now. The game is in a rather balanced position. Afghanistan are getting the runs but they aren't exactly coming at a brisk rate. Ireland did get rid of the dangerous Rahmat Shah, but since then Gulbadin Naib and Hashmatullah Shahidi have shored things up rather well with a 76-run stand. Now, despite this, unless they can accelerate, it could prove detrimental for their side. An intriguing final phase is upon us.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Full and loopy and it's driven towards mid on.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Simi Singh to Gulbadin Naib. Uses the depth of the crease to go back and clips it away on the leg side. One run to the total.

Simi Singh to Gulbadin Naib. FOUR! Streaky runs but he'll take it! Short and flat outside off, Naib goes back to cut but gets it off the edge. It goes past short third man and even the fielder chasing down can't keep it from the rope.

Simi Singh to Gulbadin Naib. Full in length with not much spin on this occasion, blocked.

Simi Singh to Gulbadin Naib. Safe! Simi Singh bowls the straighter one, full outside off. Naib plays for the spin but gets beaten and the keeper takes the bails off, as maybe Naib's back leg drags out for a split second. It's taken upstairs but replays show he's fine.

A stumping referral. It's against Gulbadin Naib, who looks to be safe. Let's see now...

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. Full and straight, eased back down to long on for one.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. FOUR! Naib to get a move on from here? He does well to get close to the pitch of the delivery by jumping out and lifts it nicely over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Not all that clean but the mistimed connection will do. Past the cover fielder and a single is taken as the sweeper mops up.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Stays rooted inside his crease and defends the ball after getting behind the line.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. Waits for the ball to turn in and works it through to deep square leg for one.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. Loopy and full in line of the stumps, plays it back to the bowler with a straight blade.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Short, flat and outside off, Shahidi tries to cut but can't connect it well.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. FOUR! Shot. Connects better and the placement is superb as well. Floated outside off, Shahidi drives it crisply through the gap in the covers and finds the fence.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Full with some width offered outside off, driven to the cover fielder.

Simi Singh to Gulbadin Naib. Spinning in from around off, Naib is on the back foot and works it on the leg side. A run to the total.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Brings out the cover drive to this tossed up ball and places it right in the gap for a single.

Simi Singh to Gulbadin Naib. Tossed up delivery on off, driven through to long on for one.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. Gulbadin Naib flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shortish close to off, goes back and punches it to long on for a single.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Pushed to the cover region by Shahidi. No run taken.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. On the shorter side on this occasion, kept out off the back foot.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. From around the wicket, quicker and fuller around off, Shahidi gets an inside edge onto his pads as he tries to play at it.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. 5th ODI fifty for Gulbadin Naib. It's been a patient knock to say the least so far, but a much-needed one nonetheless. His side will need him to go on and accelerate now. Leans ahead to the tossed up delivery and wrists it down to long on for a single.

Peter Chase to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Hurls it across, on a fuller length. The southpaw plants his front foot forward and shoulders arms as he feels it's too far away to be bothered with.

Peter Chase to Gulbadin Naib. Swivels to get inside the line and pulls the short ball along the ground to deep backward square leg for one run.

Peter Chase to Gulbadin Naib. Hits the deck hard and pounds it in short, well outside off though, so the batsmen leaves it alone.

Peter Chase to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Good running. The Afghan pair is finally putting some pressure on the Irish fielders. Shahidi taps this down in front of backward point and both batsmen scurry through to complete the run without any trouble.

Peter Chase to Gulbadin Naib. Back of a length coming back in, Gulbadin with a little swivel pulls it in front of square leg. Single to the total.

Peter Chase to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shaping away from a good length around off, Shahidi opens the bat face and runs it down to third man for a single. The 50-run stand is up with this as well.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Forces this full delivery through the mid on region and keeps strike with a run.

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

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Short, flat and quick outside off, cut late towards short third man.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. Flicks it away into the gap on the leg side and changes ends.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. Full in length, just outside off, guarded out safely.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Full and attacking the stumps, drifting in, the left-hander gets low and sweeps it square on the leg side for a single.

Peter Chase to Gulbadin Naib. FOUR! Right out of the screws, that. Full and just around off, Naib has no second thoughts about putting this away. Gets under it and smokes it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Peter Chase to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Outside off on a good length, dabbed to point for one.

Peter Chase to Gulbadin Naib. Good running. Quick run taken. Gulbadin pushes it to mid on and calls for the run. His partner responds and it's completed in the end.

Peter Chase to Gulbadin Naib. Short of a good length in the off stump channel, punched off the back foot to covers.

Peter Chase to Gulbadin Naib. Just behind a driving length, around off, Naib tries playing it on the up but gets a leading edge towards cover. The non-striker took off for the run, but came back in as there was a shy at his end.

Peter Chase to Gulbadin Naib. Goes for the yorker but ends up dishing out a low full toss. Outside off, Naib plays it off the inner half on the leg side.

Peter Chase is brought back on.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. FOUR! Last ball of the over and Shahidi ends it well. He's changing gears now. Short ball in line of the stumps, the southpaw goes back and powerfully pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. Drilled down the ground, towards long on, for an easy run.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. Full and straight from McBride, it's defended back to the bowler comfortably.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Goes back to this quicker one outside off and cuts it just wide of short third man. Both batsmen take off and complete the single with ease.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Drifting in from around the wicket, fuller on middle and leg, Shahidi works it to the man at mid-wicket.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. Tossed right up there from the offie, Naib works it off the inner half in front of square leg and gets to the other end.

Andy McBrine returns.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. A bit short again, flat outside off, pushed away a bit square on the off side. Dot ball to end the over.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. FOUR! Too short and it gets what it deserves! Flat and skidding in, Shahidi rocks onto the back foot in a jiffy which gives him a little bit more time. Muscles the pull through the mid-wicket area and beats the man in the deep.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. A touch quicker again, blocked into the off side once more.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Pushed quicker through the air outside off, fuller in length, forced to the cover fielder.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Makes use of the feet to good effect. Skips out and lofts it cleanly over extra cover. Wide long off moves across to his right and keeps the batsmen down to two.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Short and flat outside off, Shahidi goes back and punches it to the right of the bowler.

Boyd Rankin to Gulbadin Naib. Length ball is pushed towards mid on. No run.

Boyd Rankin to Gulbadin Naib. FOUR! Naib takes the short ball on and does it successfully. Rankin bangs it in again, but Naib this time gets back and across quickly, swivels and pulls this one perfectly in the gap at the deep square leg region. Timely boundary for the visitors.

Boyd Rankin to Gulbadin Naib. Short of a length on the stumps. Defended off the back foot.

Boyd Rankin to Gulbadin Naib. Bouncer! Some chin music for the batsman, as he lets this quick and well-directed bouncer through to the wicket-keeper.

Boyd Rankin to Hashmatullah Shahidi. A short of a length delivery just outside off is tapped away to the point region, they cross over for a single.

Boyd Rankin to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Rankin getting some extra bounce and away movement. He pitches it just back of a length, the ball straightens on hitting the deck. The movement is enough to beat the outside edge of the batsman.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Full on the stumps, Shahidi has driven it through mid-on. One run added to the total.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shahidi comes down the track, Singh sees him come down and pulls his length back. Shahidi, understanding he's not to the pitch, blocks it out.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Tossed up on the stumps and defended with a straight bat.

Simi Singh to Gulbadin Naib. Naib sees the length is a bit short, rocks onto his backfoot and punches the ball into the covers region for a single.

Simi Singh to Gulbadin Naib. Tossed up again on that fourth stump line, the batsman comes forward and blocks.

Simi Singh to Gulbadin Naib. A tossed up delivery is driven straight back to the bowler.

Boyd Rankin to Gulbadin Naib. Length ball on the stumps, angling in a bit, Naib flicks it to deep square leg for a single.

Boyd Rankin to Gulbadin Naib. A bit fuller on off this time, driven straight to mid off for no run.

Boyd Rankin to Gulbadin Naib. Continues to keep it a bit short of a length, Naib goes back and defends.

Boyd Rankin to Gulbadin Naib. Keeps it back of a length on the stumps, the batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the backfoot.

Boyd Rankin to Hashmatullah Shahidi. A back of a length delivery on the body, Shahidi does well to get inside the line of the delivery and works it to the square leg region for a quick single.

Boyd Rankin to Gulbadin Naib. Starts his spell with a short of a length angling into the batsman's body, Naib goes back and tucks it into the leg side towards the deep square leg region for a single.

Boyd Rankin is called back on.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Full and slow, drifting in from around the wicket, it's pushed back to the bowler from the front foot.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Positions himself well behind the line and defends it out.

Simi Singh to Gulbadin Naib. Flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Leans ahead to this full ball and drives it through mid off for a single.

Simi Singh to Gulbadin Naib. Off the outer half. Full and slow outside off, turning in, Naib is well forward and gets it off the outer half towards third man for a single.

Simi Singh to Gulbadin Naib. Spinning in on middle and off, Naib moves inside the line and works it away on the leg side.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. McBrine give this one a bit more flight, Shahidi prods forward and defends it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. Tossed up but a bit straight this time, Naib flicks this towards the mid-wicket region for yet another single.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. Naib goes back to this straight ball on a length and keeps it out.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. Tossed up on off, blocked off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. McBrine pulls the length back a bit. Shahidi punches it off the back foot towards the cover-point region. They pick up an easy single.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Tossed up ball on off, defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Tossed up ball on off, goes straight on landing, the ball takes the outside edge goes towards the slip region, however it is well wide of him. The batsmen have enough time to run through for a single.

Simi Singh to Gulbadin Naib. Flighted ball on the pads is flicked easily towards the deep square leg region for a single.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Pulls his length back a bit, the batsman rocks back and cuts it towards the point region. The fielder chases it down and keeps it down to three runs.

Simi Singh to Gulbadin Naib. Tossed up delivery driven through mid on for a single.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Full ball outside off, goes back and pushes it to the point region for a single.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Tossed up on off, Shahidi has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. This one dips, grips and turns in on pitching. Naib tries to flick it but the ball has taken the inside edge onto his pads. A strong appeal from the bowler and fielders. The umpire decides the batsman is not out. Seemed to be missing the leg stump.

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

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. A tossed up ball is pushed towards the covers region. A quick single is taken.

Andy McBrine to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Plays a square cut, but the ball goes straight to the point fielder. No run.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. Strays on the pads again and the batsman misses his flick again. The ball rolls onto the leg side and they cross over for a leg bye.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. A full ball is driven straight to mid on.

Simi Singh to Gulbadin Naib. Tossed up ball on the stumps. Naib flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. This time he gets the single as he drives this just to the right of mid off and scampers through for a single.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Full and straight, driven to mid off this time. Still no run on offer.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. A very full ball is driven firmly to mid on.

Simi Singh to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shahidi has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Simi Singh to Gulbadin Naib. Tossed up ball on the stumps is wristily turned to the mid-wicket region for a single.

Simi Singh is also on to roll his arm over.

Hashmatullah Shahidi walks into the middle next.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. OUT! McBrine gets his man. He bowls this flighted delivery on the stumps, Shah tries to work it on the on side but gets a leading edge on that one. The ball goes straight to the extra cover fielder, Andy Balbirnie, and he holds on. A timely breakthrough for the home team.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Tossed up ball, pushed softly to short mid wicket.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. A straight ball on the pads, tries to flick it onto the on side but misses, ball hits the pads and rolls behind square leg, they take a single.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Shah works this tossed up ball down the leg side. They pick up a single.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. Naib gets down and plays a sweep shot to this full delivery on the stumps. Good effort by the fielder at short fine leg to chase it down and save a certain boundary. Both batsmen also show good running between the wickets to pick up three runs. That brings up the fifty-run partnership between these two. An important one for the visitors.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. Tossed up ball, driven back to the bowler.

Peter Chase to Gulbadin Naib. Flighted again on the off stumps, Naib leans forwards and drives it to mid off, the batsmen cross over for a single.

Peter Chase to Gulbadin Naib. Tossed up delivery, Naib defends it from within the crease.

Peter Chase to Rahmat Shah. Shah has has flicked this full ball off his pads towards the mid-wicket region. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Peter Chase to Rahmat Shah. FOUR! STREAKY and LUCKY! But the visitors will take them all. A length ball just outside off, pitches and moves away, Shah trying to put bat on ball, goes for a tentative poke and gets the outside edge, the ball falls short of the first slip fielder who is unable to stop it. The ball runs behind and over the ropes for a boundary.

Peter Chase to Rahmat Shah. A back of a length ball on off is defended off the front foot to the covers region.

Peter Chase to Gulbadin Naib. Full and straight ball, shaping in a bit, Naib leans forward and with the angle turns it to the mid-wicket region for a single.

Drinks are on the field.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. FOUR! Shah picks the length early of this tossed up delivery on off, swings through the line and just lofts it over mid off. The fielder runs back to chase it down but the ball has crossed the ropes.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Flighted ball on the off stump, Shah comes forward and defends it down.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. A full and straight delivery is worked towards mid-wicket for a single.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Tossed up but on the pads, Shah turns it away on the leg side for a quick single.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. McBrine bowls this a bit slower and on the stumps, Naib has driven it through mid on. They pick up a single.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. Tossed up on off stump, defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Peter Chase to Gulbadin Naib. Chase gets the line wrong and strays it on his pads, Naib works it away nicely for a single to the deep square leg region.

Peter Chase to Gulbadin Naib. Back of a length delivery just outside off is defended from the crease by Naib.

Peter Chase to Gulbadin Naib. Chase keeping it tight in the corridor, left alone by Naib.

Peter Chase to Gulbadin Naib. Short of a length this time is defended off the back foot.

Peter Chase to Rahmat Shah. Flicked away into the leg side for a single.

Peter Chase to Rahmat Shah. Keeps it on a length outside off, the batsman has played it to the point region.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. Flighted ball on off is driven back to the bowler. Good comeback by McBrine after conceding a boundary off the second ball of the over.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. Similar ball is worked away to short mid-wicket. No chance of a single.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. Tossed up on off stumps, flicks it straight to the mid-wicket fielder. No run.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. Tossed up delivery on off, pushed through mid-wicket by the batsman.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. FOUR! Naib has played this elegant square drive, to a full ball outside off. The ball beats the fielder at point and just about rolls over the ropes.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. A low full toss on the stumps, is driven to long on for a single.

Peter Chase to Gulbadin Naib. Bouncer! The batsman does well to evade it.

Peter Chase to Gulbadin Naib. Length ball on the stumps, blocked out.

Peter Chase to Rahmat Shah. Shah blocks to backward point, the point fielder picks it up and has a go at the non-striker's end and no one is backing up. The ball runs away to the boundary and four extra runs are gifted to the visiting team.

Peter Chase to Rahmat Shah. Full and straight ball is driven to mid on. No run.

Peter Chase to Rahmat Shah. Chase pulls back his length, keeps it just back of a length on off, Shah defends it from within the crease.

Peter Chase to Gulbadin Naib. Fullish and attacking the stumps, the batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total.

Peter Chase is back on.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. FOUR! Shah ends the over in style, comes forward and beautifully drives this fullish ball outside off through the cover region. The ball races to the boundary. The umpire signals a boundary.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Pushed this tossed up delivery to the cover region for no run.

Andy McBrine to Rahmat Shah. Touch short around off, it is punched off the back foot back to the bowler.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. This fullish ball tossed just outside off is driven to the mid on region and the batsmen take a quick single.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. Flighted delivery on the off stump, Naib has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Andy McBrine to Gulbadin Naib. McBrine starts off well with this tossed up delivery just outside off, Naib tries to defend off the front foot but gets a thick outside edge which flies past slip. They cross over for two runs.

Andy McBrine is introduced into the bowling attack. Spin for the hosts for the first time in this game.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Ends the over well, maintains the same line and length. No run as the batsman drives this to mid on.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Pulls his length back a bit, the batsman comes forward and pushes it towards mid on. No run.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Full and straight again, driven back to the bowler.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. Full and straight on the stumps, blocked out.

Tim Murtagh to Gulbadin Naib. Length ball on the off stump, moves away on hitting the deck, Naib tries to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and goes towards the slip region. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Tim Murtagh to Gulbadin Naib. FOUR! Naib takes Murtagh on and gets rewarded. This length ball on the stumps is flicked on the up over the mid-wicket fielder. Lofted and timed well enough to cross the boundary easily.

Powerplay 2 has been signalled. That means a maximum of 4 fielders will be allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the 40th over.

Peter Chase to Gulbadin Naib. Length ball on off is driven firmly to mid on. They cross over for a quick single.

Peter Chase to Rahmat Shah. Wonderful shot but cannot get a boundary. Shah leans forward to this length ball on off stump and delightfully drives it on the up between the cover and mid off region, the mid off fielder chases it down and keeps the batsmen down to three.

Peter Chase to Rahmat Shah. Full and a bit wide again, driven to mid off. No chance of a run.

Peter Chase to Rahmat Shah. Fullish ball outside off, left alone by Shah.

Peter Chase to Rahmat Shah. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Peter Chase to Rahmat Shah. High, waist high full toss, almost a no ball. Shah blocks it back to the bowler and awaits for the umpire to signal an illegal delivery. But replays show the height was just below the waist. Dot ball.

Peter Chase is into the attack now.

Tim Murtagh to Gulbadin Naib. A short of a length ball just outside off is pushed towards the point region. End of a tight over by Murtagh. A maiden from the pacer.

Tim Murtagh to Gulbadin Naib. A similar delivery is driven to mid on again. No chance of a run still.

Tim Murtagh to Gulbadin Naib. Keeps it on a length attacking the stumps, Naib leans forward and drives it to mid on.

Tim Murtagh to Gulbadin Naib. Full length ball on off is driven straight to mid off. No run on offer.

Tim Murtagh to Gulbadin Naib. This short of a length ball on off is tapped to the point region.

Tim Murtagh to Gulbadin Naib. Drives this full ball on off to mid off.

Boyd Rankin to Rahmat Shah. Outside off on a length, left alone for the keeper to collect.

Boyd Rankin to Gulbadin Naib. Defends this short of a length ball from the back foot, the ball rolls towards covers and the batsman call for a quick single and gets good response from Shah.

Just an update on the weather - bright and sunny now. Beautiful day in Belfast.

Boyd Rankin to Gulbadin Naib. Beaten!. Length ball just outside off, Naib tries to put bat on ball but fails as the ball moves away after pitching and beats the outside edge.

Boyd Rankin to Gulbadin Naib. Bumper! Some chin music for the batsman, as he lets that bouncer through to the wicket-keeper.

Boyd Rankin to Gulbadin Naib. Shoulders arms to this rising delivery from a back of a length just outside off stump.

Boyd Rankin to Gulbadin Naib. Length ball on the off stump is defended off the front foot.

Tim Murtagh to Rahmat Shah. FOUR! Perfect start for Rahmat Shah. Gets a full delivery on the off stump. Rahmat leans forward and drives crisply past the left of the bowler and beats mid off to his right. Much-needed boundary for the visitors.

Rahmat Shah is the new man in.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. OUT! 50th ODI wicket for Tim Murtagh. Smart bowling, clever stuff! After four dot balls, he bowls an off cutter on the off stump. Ihsanullah desperate to get aggressive, is sucked into the shot but the ball just does not arrive. He checks his drive and the ball goes back to the bowler at knee height. Murtagh does well to get down in time and take the catch.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. Length ball on off stump, stays in the crease and blocks it off the back foot.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. Pulls back the length a bit, Janat guides it to the point region.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. Similar ball, similar shot to the same fielder at mid off. The fielder fumbles the ball but recovers quickly. Still no run.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. This full ball on off stump is driven to mid off. No run

It has got quite overcast and some droplets are seen coming down.

Boyd Rankin to Ihsanullah. Sways away nicely to this rising back of a length delivery, nips in after pitching but the batsman has left it alone.

Boyd Rankin to Gulbadin Naib. He shoulders arms to this short of a length delivery outside off.

Boyd Rankin to Ihsanullah. A bit shorter and wider of off, the batsman has tapped it to the point region.

Boyd Rankin to Ihsanullah. Length ball in the corridor of uncertainty, defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Boyd Rankin to Ihsanullah. Gets right behind this back of a length delivery and defends solidly.

Boyd Rankin to Ihsanullah. Short of a length ball outside off. Left alone.

Tim Murtagh to Gulbadin Naib. The batsman has driven this length ball on off straight through to mid on.

Tim Murtagh to Gulbadin Naib. Fullish ball on the stumps, driven to mid off.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. Off cutter on the stumps, he tries to block it off the back foot but gets the inside edge and the ball rolls behind square leg. They take a quick single.

Tim Murtagh to Gulbadin Naib. Quick single, good running. Length ball angling in is worked to the right of mid on, the batsmen cross over quickly.

Tim Murtagh to Gulbadin Naib. Keeps it tight on a length just outside off, he gets behind the line of the ball and keeps it out. No chance of a run.

Tim Murtagh to Gulbadin Naib. Very full ball angling in on the pads, flicked straight to the fielder at short mid-wicket.

Boyd Rankin to Ihsanullah. FOUR! Shot. Takes the aerial route and gets the desired result. Shortish outside the line of off stump, Janat lofts it over point for a boundary.

Boyd Rankin to Gulbadin Naib. Naib is off the mark with a little tuck to mid-wicket. A run is collected.

Gulbadin Naib walks in at no.3.

Boyd Rankin to Hazratullah Zazai. OUT! And he's gone! Can't make much of the life he was given. This is a good ball from Rankin. He once again hits the deck hard and has some good pace on it. It's quite accurate too as this takes the left-hander by surprise. He just hangs his bat out to it and it goes off the top half. Lobs straight towards Simi Singh at covers who takes it by running in. Zazai checks with the umpire, for a no ball it seems, but doesn't get the response he's looking for. Everything is alright and he's going to have to walk back. Big wicket for the hosts.

Boyd Rankin to Hazratullah Zazai. SIX! Zazai's really got a hold of that one! Brute force from the debutant. Banged in short, Zazai clears his front leg out of the way and muscles the pull over square leg for the first maximum of the innings.

Boyd Rankin to Ihsanullah. Angling back in, worked away towards mid-wicket for a quick single.

Boyd Rankin to Ihsanullah. Short of a good length well outside off, Janat throws his bat at it but fails to connect.

Tim Murtagh to Hazratullah Zazai. Short of a length ball is punched off the back foot to the cover-point fielder.

Tim Murtagh to Hazratullah Zazai. This length ball on the pads of Zazai is flicked to deep square leg. Batsmen rush back for the second.

Tim Murtagh to Hazratullah Zazai. FOUR! Murtagh errs in length and line and pushes it wide of off stump, Zazai punches the ball off the back foot through covers. The ball races to the boundary. The umpire signals a boundary.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. Lands this slower ball on a length just outside off, Janat opens the face of the bat and helps it to third man. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. Full length on off, driven straight to mid on.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. Starts his second over with a back of a length delivery on off stump, the batsman gets right behind the line and punches it to mid on off the back foot. No run.

Boyd Rankin to Hazratullah Zazai. Zazai shows the full face of the bat to this back of a length ball on off and defends the ball off the back foot.

Boyd Rankin to Ihsanullah. Lands this just on a length outside the off pole, Ihsanullah opens the face of the bat to run it down to third man for one.

Boyd Rankin to Ihsanullah. The batsman shows the full face of the bat to this length ball on off, defends off the back foot.

Boyd Rankin to Ihsanullah. Keeps it on a back of a length just outside off, taps it to the point region.

Boyd Rankin to Ihsanullah. Fullish ball on off stump, defended off the back foot.

Boyd Rankin to Hazratullah Zazai. What a reprieve for the debutant, Zazai! Back of a length ball on middle and off, angling away. Zazai is cramped for room but still tries to guide it away towards third man. However, he has no control on the shot as he plays it uppishly towards the slip fielders. Stirling at second slip jumps a bit but ends up spilling it. Wilson behind has no chance to take it off the rebound as it falls behind him. It was Paul's catch only. Zazai survives. Will this prove costly for Ireland?

Boyd Rankin to bowl with the second new ball from the other end.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. Some good movement for Murtagh as Ihsanullah tentatively tries to put bat on this fullish ball just outside off, the movement away beats the outside edge of the bat.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. Fuller on off this time, blocked away from the front foot.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. Ihsanullah comes behind the line of this length ball on the stumps and defends solidly.

Tim Murtagh to Ihsanullah. Tighter this time by Murtagh as he lands this just short of a length on off. Ihsanullah plays it to mid off. No run on offer.

Tim Murtagh to Hazratullah Zazai. Length ball on off stump is driven uppishly through mid off. Zazai gets off the mark in ODI cricket with a single.

Tim Murtagh to Hazratullah Zazai. Starts off with a full and wide ball outside off, some movement away from Zazai as he gives it a big swing and misses completely. Pouched by the keeper moving to his left.

Now that that's out of the way, we are prepared to commence with the action. Hazratullah Zazai and Ihsanullah Janat will open the innings instead of Mohammad Shahzad (who is serving a one-match ban) for the touring side, while Tim Murtagh will take the new ball first up. Two slips in place for him. Here we go...

Both teams are out for their respective national anthems. We begin with the away side's first.

TOSS - Ireland win the toss and will have a bowl first!

Before this tour started, it was quite difficult to tout who would be the favourites. Post the T20I series now, the choice is quite clear. A lot of credit must be given to the away side. Afghanistan have done stupendously well in unfamiliar conditions to blow the hosts away and take the T20I series 2-0. In the shortest format, the Afghans have performed well and have been going from strength to strength, they proved that by dominating the Irish in all three departments. The 50-over format is a different ball game altogether and it will be interesting to see how the home side fares. As always, there will be two battles - The Afghan spinners vs the Irish batsmen and the other, between the Irish pacers vs the Afghan batters. Whoever can top that will most likely win this game. A good battle awaits...