AFG beat IRE by 8 wickets | Ireland vs Afghanistan, Highlights And Cricket Score 3rd ODI Match - Commentary

Rashid Khan, the man of the moment, is being interviewed near the ropes - Says he is always happy to do well for his team. Admits it is a crucial match as it's the series decider. States that he focused on doing the basis right and keep the balls in good areas. Reckons it's a turning wicket. Feels that they did not bowl well in the last match and mentions that even today they were not at their best. However, feels they hit the good length areas much more today and that reaped them the rewards. Ends by saying that they hope to play positive cricket, to have fun while playing, give 100% effort and not care much about the result.

The target is a very small one and one would back the Afghan players to chase this down. The wicket is a little slow and there is some turn on offer but Ireland are probably 50 to 60 runs short. So what do we have in store for you in the second innings? Afghanistan making a mockery of the run chase or Ireland fighting back? Join us to find out.

Ireland just never recovered after that. Rashid Khan then ran through the middle order. Wilson and McBrine's partnership did look like it would give the Irish scorecard some respectability but Afghanistan broke through from an unlikely source. Their skipper, Afghan, yes you read it right, Asghar Afghan, got rid of Wilson and the last three wickets fell in no time.

So that ends an excellent bowling performance by Afghanistan. Exactly what they would have wished for after being asked to field. It was Alam who started off everything as he got Stirling early. Porterfield and Balbirnie then, did start building a partnership but a few rash shots saw Ireland lose three wickets in quick succession.

Mohammad Nabi to Boyd Rankin. OUT! It looked like a six till the very end but Gulbadin at deep long on pouches a skier. Rankin sees the flight on this one which is floated full on the off stump by Nabi. The southpaw swings through the line towards long on. The ball goes high up in the air towards long on and for a moment it looks like it will sail over the ropes. But Naib positioned there judges it well, settles under the ball nicely and wraps up the innings.

Rashid Khan to Peter Chase. Very full outside off, the batsman jams it out to covers.

Rashid Khan to Boyd Rankin. Eases this down to long on for a run. All these are handy runs for Ireland.

Rashid Khan to Boyd Rankin. On off, strokes to covers.

Rashid Khan to Boyd Rankin. The googly on off, Rankin tries to defend but gets beaten.

Rashid Khan to Boyd Rankin. Flatter on middle, Rankin tries to flick but gets an inside edge onto his pads.

Rashid Khan to Boyd Rankin. Close! Quick and it is the leggie outside off, Rankin somehow gets his bat down in time and keeps it out.

Mohammad Nabi to Peter Chase. Tossed up full outside off, Chase shoulders arms.

Mohammad Nabi to Peter Chase. FOUR! Streaky, but the home team will not mind. Nabi bowls a beauty again as it pitches on off and skids on. Chase looks to block it lunging forward. The ball kisses his outside edge but flies through the slips region. No Slip, Not good by Afghanistan. The hosts get four more.

Peter Chase is the next batsman in.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. OUT c Aftab Alam b Mohammad Nabi. Ireland have lost their ninth wicket.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Gets behind the line of this shortish delivery on off and blocks it out.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Tossed up ball on off, McBrine leans forward and defends.

Mohammad Nabi to Boyd Rankin. A bit slower and straighter on his pads, flicks this one into the square leg region for a single.

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine. FOUR! Out comes the broom and earns him a boundary after 14 overs. McBrine gets down on his knees to this fuller ball on the stumps, sweeps this and gets this right from the middle of the bat. Finds the gap at deep square leg and the ball runs across the ropes.

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine. Slower and a bit shorter is defended off the back foot.

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine. Tries the flick again, misses and gets hit on the pads. No appeal this time.

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine. McBrine tries to whip this flatter one into the leg side, gets beaten by the pace and the inward turn and is hit on the pads. The tourists appeal but the umpire is unmoved. Rashid looking threatening.

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine. Flatter one on the stumps, defended off the front foot.

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine. Rashid keeps it full on off, McBrine goes back and tries to late cut it. The ball turns into him and takes the bat handle and rolls towards short third man.

Drinks.

Mohammad Nabi to Boyd Rankin. Floated one on the off stump line. Rankin gets behind the line well this time and defends confidently.

Mohammad Nabi to Boyd Rankin. Leading edge but safe. Nabi keeps it fuler on off. Rankin tries to turn it into the leg side but the ball turns away and takes his leading edge. However the ball rolls down towards the covers region and he is safe.

Mohammad Nabi to Boyd Rankin. A quicker and flatter ball on off, lands and skids through, Rankin trying to push it into the off side gets and inside edge and the ball runs down towards the square leg region. They cross over for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Boyd Rankin. Tossed up delivery on off, prods forward and defends.

Mohammad Nabi to Boyd Rankin. Beaten! Beautiful bowling by Nabi. Tossed up around off, brings the batsman forward who is looking to block it. The ball lands and turn and whizzes past the outside edge. Classic off spin bowling by the experienced campaigner.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Nabi starts with a slower loopy one on the middle and leg line. McBrine goes back and turns it round the corner for a single.

Rashid Khan to Boyd Rankin. Another leg spinner, Rankin somehow gets his bat down in time and blocks it.

Boyd Rankin, probably the tallest player between the two sides, strides out to bat.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. OUT! Plumb in front! 5th LBW of the innings! Rashid Khan gets his third. This was on the cards, wasn't it? He bowling to a tailender, there was only going to be one outcome. He bowls the leg spinner, it pitches around off, turns in and also skids through. Murtagh goes back and tries to defend but is beaten by the pace of the delivery. He is hit on the pads, the players appeal and the umpire immediately raises his finger.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. On the shorter side, the batsman pulls it but finds mid-wicket.

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

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. The googly outside off, Murtagh guides it to point.

Rashid Khan to Tim Murtagh. Starts off with a leg spinner on middle, the batsman tries to defend but misses to get hit on the pads.

Yes, he will as Rashid Khan is brought back into the attack.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Not Out. Nabi floats this one and keeps it fuller around the off stump. Gets the batsman playing a drive, but McBrine is not to the pitch of the ball. The ball lands and turns away beating the bat. Shahzad whips the bails off quickly and appeals. The umpire goes up to check. Replays show that he had his foot just inside the crease.

An appeal for a stumping has been taken upstairs. McBrine is the man in question. However the visitors don't look that confident.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Keeps it straighter and flatter, McBrine tries to work it into the leg side, gets and inside edge onto his pads. No run on offer.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Floated on middle and off, McBrine lunges and blocks.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. Tossed up ball onm middle and leg is turned away into the mid-wicket region for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. Beaten! Keeps this o=fuller on off stump and gets it to skid on pitching. Murtagh, who is playing for spin is beaten. He survives.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Murtagh. Tossed up on off, defended off the front foot.l

Rashid Khan is back onto the field. This is good news for Afghanistan, will he bowl though?

Asghar Afghan to Tim Murtagh. Murtagh tries to turn this length ball into the leg side but gets hit on his pads. The balls rolls down towards the mid-wicket region and they take a single.

Asghar Afghan to Tim Murtagh. Beaten! This is super bowling from the skipper. He keeps it just behind a length on the off stump. The angle across the bats beats Tim's tentative poke. Afghan has his hands on his head. He's expecting another wicket now. Talk about being optimistic.

Asghar Afghan to Tim Murtagh. A bit short of a length, tapped to the point region.

Asghar Afghan to Tim Murtagh. Pulls the length back a bit and lands it on the middle stump line, Murtagh goes back and blocks it out.

Asghar Afghan to Tim Murtagh. Lands it on a length just on off, Tim prods forward and defends.

Tim Murtagh is the next batsman in.

Asghar Afghan to Gary Wilson. Dream Start! Just cannot get better than this. Talk about a golden arm, this is platinum. Afghan lands the first one on a length on the middle stump line. The ball hits the surface and moves into the batsman as he is looking to keep it out from his crease. The movement in has beaten the inside edge and hits him in front. A loud appeal follows, the umpire think for a couple of seconds and then raises his finger. And the Afghanistan captain now is into the wickets column.

The skipper, Asghar Afghan comes into the attack.

Mohammad Nabi to Gary Wilson. Keeps it a bit slower outside off, Wilson goes back and taps it towards point for another run.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Flatter and fuller on middle, he flicks it to mid-wicket for an easy single.

Mohammad Nabi to Gary Wilson. Slower and fuller on the off stump, Wilson leans forward and drives it through mid off for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Gary Wilson. Tossed up on the middle stump line, Wilson waits for the ball and defends with a straight bat.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Gets a bit straighter this time and is flicked into the mid-wicket region for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. A Beauty from Nabi! Tosses this up and lands it around the off stump line. McBrine steps forward and the ball spins past the bat, lovely delivery from Nabi there. McBrine survives.

Aftab Alam to Gary Wilson. Another quick bouncer on middle, Wilson transfers his weight onto the back foot and pulls it through mid-wicket for a brace.

Aftab Alam to Andy McBrine. Slower ball outside off, AM slaps it through covers for a run.

Aftab Alam to Andy McBrine. Another bumper, McBrine tries to pull but gets an inside edge to the keeper.

Aftab Alam to Andy McBrine. Short again on middle, McBrine guides it to point.

Aftab Alam to Andy McBrine. Bends his back on this one and bowls it on the shorter side, it pitches and shoots off the surface. McBrine tries to tuck it around the corner but the ball hits his glove and goes towards point.

Aftab Alam to Gary Wilson. On a length and around off, Wilson taps it towards cover-point and takes a run. The two are really going well here. They are not getting the boundaries but are rotating the strike well.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Tossed up on the off stump line, comes forward and defends.

Mohammad Nabi to Gary Wilson. Keeps it a bit slower ans shorter, is punched into the covers region for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Goes back to this skidder on off and taps it into the leg side for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Gary Wilson. Fuller on the stumps is worked away towards square leg for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Gary Wilson. Tossed up ball on off, is defended off the front foot.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Slower and floated outside off, McBrine goes back and punches through the covers for a single.

Aftab Alam to Andy McBrine. Alam keeps it a bit short again. McBrine pulls but does not get it from the middle and gets a single towards the square leg region.

Aftab Alam to Gary Wilson. A short of a length ball on the pads, flicked away towards square leg for a single.

Rashid Khan seems to be in some pain after his fielding effort on the last delivery. The physio is out now, having a look at him. Rashid now, is back onto his feet but is seen walking off the field gingerly. Afghanistan would hope it is nothing serious.

Aftab Alam to Andy McBrine. Bangs it a bit shorter, McBrine picks up the length early, goes back, swivels and pulls it towards the square leg region. Rashid, fielding at deep mid-wicket, runs across, slides and stops it from going across the ropes. Good fielding but it seems like he has hurt himself while sliding. Hope he is alright.

Aftab Alam to Andy McBrine. Gets right behind the line of this short of a length delivery on the stumps and keeps it out.

Aftab Alam to Andy McBrine. On a length around off, angling in, it's blocked out.

Aftab Alam to Andy McBrine. Starts off a new spell by landing it on a length outside off from around the wicket, the angle in is taken into account and McBrine defends off the front foot.

Aftab Alam comes back into the attack.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. McBrine goes back to the slower delivery outside off and punches it into the cover region for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. A bit shorter around off, McBrine goes back and blocks.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Slower and full on off, defends solidly.

Mohammad Nabi to Gary Wilson. A similar ball but this time on the right hander's pads who flicks this one away into the square leg region for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Floats it full on the stumps, McBrine comes forward and works it into the leg side for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Slower through the air outside off, it is tapped towards the point region.

Rashid Khan to Gary Wilson. Comes forward and defends this fuller ball on off.

Rashid Khan to Gary Wilson. Wide! Tries to flick this one off his pads but the angle takes it further down the leg side. Signaled a wide.

Rashid Khan to Gary Wilson. Beaten. Rashid keeps it outside off, Wilson tries to get bat on ball but is beaten by the spin away from him.

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine. Tossed up on middle, driven through mid on for a single.

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine. Quicker and flatter by Khan just outside off, McBrine goes for the cut and gets beaten.

Rashid Khan to Gary Wilson. Seeing the ball a bit shorter, Wilson goes back and punches it through cover-point for a single.

Rashid Khan to Gary Wilson. Floated around off, flicked towards mid-wicket.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Leading edge and safe again! McBrine almost pays the price of playing across the line. Nabi floats it up on middle, it pitches and stops on the surface. McBrine tries to flick but gets a leading edge which lobs towards covers. Rashid runs in but can't get to it.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Loopy ball on the stumps, AM strokes it to covers.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. On the stumps, defended.

Mohammad Nabi to Gary Wilson. On the shorter side outside off, Wilson cuts it through cover-point and takes a run.

Mohammad Nabi to Gary Wilson. Tosses it up on middle, Wilson lunges and keeps it out.

Mohammad Nabi to Gary Wilson. Fires it on off, Wilson pushes it to covers.

Rashid Khan to Gary Wilson. Tossed up delivery pushed towards covers for a single.

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine. 2 Wides! That's a rare mistake by the champion leggie. He changes the side and comes around the wicket, fires this one into McBrine. The ball lands and turns further in, misses McBrine's thigh pads and the keeper stops it from going behind but cannot collect it cleanly. They run for this wide.

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine. McBrine gets right behind this straight delivery and keeps it out.

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine. Tossed up full on the off stump, comes forward and flicks it to mid-wicket.

Rashid Khan to Gary Wilson. This time Wilson does not miss his whip and hits it towards the square leg region for a single.

Rashid Khan to Gary Wilson. The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball - but fails.

Rashid Khan to Gary Wilson. Big Appeal for an LBW but turned down. Khan keeps it a bit short on off, Wilson goes back and tries to whip it into the leg side, gets beaten by pace and is struck on the pads. The hosts appeal half-heartedly, umpire rejects.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Similar ball to the last one and similarly blocked.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Tossed up around off is defended off the front foot.

Mohammad Nabi to Andy McBrine. Beaten! Keeps it full on off. Pitches and goes straight. McBrine playing for the spin is beaten.

Mohammad Nabi to Gary Wilson. Straighter one on the stumps, flicked away for a single to square leg.

Mohammad Nabi to Gary Wilson. FOUR! Clever shot by Wilson. Nabi fires this a bit quicker and shorter outside the off stump line, Wilson opens the face of his bat at the last moment and glides it down to third man. The pace on the ball is enough to carry it across the ropes.

Mohammad Nabi to Gary Wilson. Nabi starts from around the wicket, keeps it full on the off stump line. The ball pitches and skids through. Wilson tries to block but fails to get bat on that one and is hit on the pad. A strong appeal from the bowler and the fielders. The umpire shows no interest in the appeal.

Mohammad Nabi comes into the attack.

Rashid Khan to Gary Wilson. A bit short and straight, Wilson rocks back and turns it into the leg side towards the square leg region and takes a single.

Rashid Khan to Gary Wilson. Tossed up on off, kept out off the front foot.

Rashid Khan to Gary Wilson. Khan fires this one a bit quicker on the off stump line, Wilson keeps this one out with a straight bat.

Rashid Khan to Gary Wilson. A bit on the shorter side, Wilson stays inside the crease and defends.

Rashid Khan to Gary Wilson. Tossed up on off, kept out off the back foot.

Rashid Khan to Gary Wilson. Good running. Rashid bowls it fuller on the middle stump line. Wilson comes forward and works it into the mid-wicket area. The batsman sense the opportunity of a second, calls for it and completes it easily.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy McBrine. No McBrine, it is never a good idea to play against the turn. He got away with it there. Mujeeb bowls the offie on middle, the batsman tries to work it through the leg side but gets a soft leading edge back to the bowler.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Gary Wilson. Punches it through covers and takes a run.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Gary Wilson. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy McBrine. Another misfield! Afghanistan have not been at their best on the field today. Flatter outside off, McBrine guides it towards point. The fielder there misfields and a run is taken.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Gary Wilson. Flighted ball outside off, Wilson strokes it through the off side and gets to the other end.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Gary Wilson. Loopy ball outside off, Wilson leans into it and hits it back to the bowler.

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine. Tossed up straight, McBrine defends well.

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine. Lands a bit short, spinning into the batsman. McBrine is beaten and is struck on the thigh pad. The fielding side is asking the question. The Umpire shows no interest in the appeal though.

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine. A bit shorter in length on the middle stump line, McBrine blocks it off the front foot.

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine. Keeps it fuller on the off stump, Andy comes forward and defends.

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine. Lands this flatter one around the middle and leg stump. McBrine stays in his crease and tries to block it out. The ball spins in and raps him on the pads. The hosts appeal loud but the umpire this time shake his head sideways. Replay show that there was a faint inside edge, which may have saved the southpaw. Rashid applying immense pressure.

Andy McBrine walks in next.

Rashid Khan to Simi Singh. OUT! The dangerman strikes again! The No. 1 bowler of the visiting team, a world class leg spinner, delivers what is expected from him. Tosses up a googly just outside off. It pitches and turns in. Singh, prods forward and tries to defend but is beaten by the spin. The ball raps the front pad. Rashid goes up instantly and the umpire, after taking a couple of seconds, gives him the marching order.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Gary Wilson. Keeps it a bit shorter, Wilson defends with a straight bat.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Simi Singh. Rahman strays on the pads, Singh goes back and works this around the corner for a single.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Simi Singh. Gets right behind this one on the off stump line. Singh blocks it out.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Simi Singh. Tosses this one fuller on the stumps, kept out by the batsman.

A short leg in place.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Simi Singh. A similar delivery is blocked off the front foot by Singh.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Simi Singh. Mujeeb starts off after the break with a one on the stumps, defended by Simi Singh.

Drinks!

Gary Wilson is the next man in. This is his 99th ODI.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. OUT! Boom! Rashid Khan strikes on the last ball of his first over! What a champion bowler he is. Gets the big fish, if there is one in this Ireland side. Once again it is the googly which does the trick for him. It it pitched outside off, it turns back in. O'Brien plants his front foot across and tries to flick. He misses and is hit right in front. The players appeal and the umpire agrees. Ireland have not even crossed the 100-run mark and they have lost half their side already. Ominous signs these!

Rashid Khan to Simi Singh. Singh pushes this towards the off side and gets to the other end.

Rashid Khan to Simi Singh. The googly almost does the trick. It is pitched outside off and it comes in. Simi Singh prods forward and tries to block. He does not pick it at all. He misses the ball, it hits the pads and the players appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Impact outside off.

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. Very full again, Kevin drives it crisply through covers for a run.

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

Rashid Khan to Simi Singh. Not the ideal start by Rashid. Slightly short outside off, Simi punches it through covers and takes a run.

Rashid Khan is into the attack. Afghan here is going in for the kill.

Gulbadin Naib to Kevin O'Brien. FOUR! Second boundary of the over! A very good one for Ireland. Naib is not learning here. He again bangs it short and it is too easy for Kevin. He pulls it through square leg. No fielder in the deep and a boundary results.

Gulbadin Naib to Simi Singh. Pulls it again, in the gap again. Not off the middle though but timed well enough by the batsmen to get three.

Gulbadin Naib to Simi Singh. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.

Gulbadin Naib to Simi Singh. Down the leg side, Singh tries to flick but misses. Shahzad dives to make a good half stop. Wide signaled.

Gulbadin Naib to Simi Singh. FOUR! Crunched! That made a cracking sound of the bat! A bumper on middle, trying to catch the batsman off guard. However, Simi is upto the task, he swivels and pulls it through square leg and the ball races away.

Gulbadin Naib to Simi Singh. Good length again on off, the batsman pushes it to covers.

Gulbadin Naib to Kevin O'Brien. On a length around off, Kevin taps it towards covers and gets to the other end. The fielder there does have a shy but misses.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Simi Singh. On the pads, the batsman tucks it to the leg side. Shahzad appeals but he is the only one doing so.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Simi Singh. Floats it up on off, it is driven to covers,

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kevin O'Brien. Flatter on off, the batsman punches it down to long on for a run.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kevin O'Brien. On the stumps, kept out.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kevin O'Brien. On middle, KOB works it to short fine leg.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kevin O'Brien. FOUR! Up and over! Trademark Kevin. It was in his zone. Tossed up on off, again a little too full. O'Brien lofts it over mid off and the ball races away. He needs to stay there, holds the key now.

A short leg in place. Afghanistan on the attack here.

Gulbadin Naib to Simi Singh. On off, guided to point.

Gulbadin Naib to Simi Singh. FOUR! Very, very poor by Rashid. Not something you expect from him. It is short and outside off, Simi punches it towards point. Rashid there slides but lets the ball through and the ball races away. 50 up for Ireland but they have lost 4 wickets.

Gulbadin Naib to Simi Singh. Very full on off, Singh drives it square on the off side but finds point.

Gulbadin Naib to Simi Singh. Nice shot! Shorter in length on off, Singh stands tall and punches it through covers for a brace.

Gulbadin Naib to Kevin O'Brien. Back of a length on off, Kevin plays a short-arm jab towards mid-wicket for a run.

Gulbadin Naib to Kevin O'Brien. On a length around off, Kevin prods forward and blocks it.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Simi Singh. Loopy ball on off, Singh pushes it to mid off. A maiden by Mujeeb.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Simi Singh. Oh! This is quicker on off, it pitches and stays a touch low. Singh does really well to get his bat down in time.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Simi Singh. Very full this time, the turn is out of contention. Singh drives it to mid off.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Simi Singh. Better! He tosses this up on off, the batsman keeps it out.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Simi Singh. A touch too short by Mujeeb, he has been regularly on that length today. Too easy for Singh to go back and keep it out.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Simi Singh. Flatter on off, the batsman defends it off the back foot.

Gulbadin Naib to Kevin O'Brien. FOUR! Super start by Kevin. Naib pulls the length back just a bit, the hefty right-hander sees the length early, rocks back and punches it through the cover-point region. The timing is supreme and the ball races across. Two wickets followed by a boundary to end an eventful over.

Kevin O'Brien is the next batsman in.

Gulbadin Naib to Andy Balbirnie. OUT! It had to be a peach to get this in-form batsman. Naib is the one who comes up with it. Lands this one a bit short of full length and a bit wide of the off stump line. Entices Andy into the drive who takes the bait. The ball pitches and nips away ever so slightly and takes the outside edge. Mohammad Shahzad behind pouches it and jumps in joy. The tourists get the man in form.

Gulbadin Naib to Andy Balbirnie. Defends this length ball on the stumps off the front foot.

Gulbadin Naib to Simi Singh. Keeps it a bit shorter of a length, Simi stays back, opens the face of his bat and runs it down to the third man region. They run a single.

Gulbadin Naib to Simi Singh. Naib keeps it on a length just outside off, Simi Singh watchfully leaves.

Simi Singh walks out to the middle.

Gulbadin Naib to Niall O'Brien. OUT! Gulbadin strikes and the change of ends works. He fires in a length ball angled into Niall from around the wicket. The southpaw tries to come forward and push it straight down the ground. However, he's beaten as the ball lands and nips in further and raps him on his front pad. A big appeal follows and the umpire raises the dreaded finger. It looked very close to the naked eye. The length was the key there as it did not allow the batsman to either come forward or go back. He was stuck in his crease and could not cope with the movement either. Gulbadin takes his second and the hosts lose their fourth.

Powerplay 2 has been signaled! Now a maximum of 4 fielders can be placed outside the ring till the 40th over. Gulbadin Naib is back on.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. Lovely, lovely stuff! Slower through the air outside off, it is the offie from Rahman. Andy lunges and tries to drive but the ball sneaks through the gap between bat and pad and goes into the hands of Shahzad.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Niall O'Brien. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Niall O'Brien. With the angle works it to mid-wicket.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. Swept and swept nicely through square leg for a run.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. Misfield and some extra runs! Fires it on off, Balbirnie tries to punch it through the off side but gets an outside edge towards short third man. Afghan there dives over the ball and the batsmen run two.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. Flatter on off, Andy blocks it out.

Niall O'Brien is the new man in. Also Mujeeb Ur Rahman is back into the attack.

Aftab Alam to William Porterfield. OUT! In the air... dropped, no taken! Afghan hangs onto it, not on the first, not on the second but on the third attempt to send his opposite number back. Huge wicket and Ireland now have both the openers back in the hut. Alam gets his second. He bowls it just ahead of a length from wide of the crease. Porterfield who has been driving on the up quite often, tries to do the same. This time though he hits it uppishly and does not find the gap. It goes towards Asghar at mid off who tries to catch it reverse cup but the ball pops out, tries to take it on the second attempt but it again pops out. He then dives and takes it one-handed. Throws the ball onto the ground in anger. A timely wicket as this partnership was building into a promising one.

Aftab Alam to William Porterfield. Back of a length on off, Porterfield stands tall and defends it onto the ground.

Aftab Alam to William Porterfield. Good length outside off, Porterfield slaps it hard but finds covers.

Aftab Alam to William Porterfield. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Aftab Alam to William Porterfield. On middle, Porterfield pushes it to mid on.

Aftab Alam to Andy Balbirnie. Slightly straighter on middle, Balbirnie shuffles across and flicks it through mid-wicket for another three. A lot of threes have been taken till now.

Gulbadin Naib to William Porterfield. A huge shout again but the umpire stays put! Full and outside off, this one comes back in late. William gets his front foot outside off and tries to drive but misses to get hit on the pads.

Gulbadin Naib to William Porterfield. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

Gulbadin Naib to William Porterfield. On the fuller side, no swing at all for the bowler. He is driven to mid off.

Gulbadin Naib to William Porterfield. On the shorter side, Porterfield cuts it towards cover-point. A scoring opportunity goes abegging there. It was there to be cut through the gap.

Gulbadin Naib to William Porterfield. From around the wicket, he bangs it just behind a length and it is defended.

Gulbadin Naib to William Porterfield. Just behind a fuller length on off, Porterfield drives it to mid off.

Aftab Alam to William Porterfield. Length around middle, William tries to block but it goes off the inner half towards fine leg for a run.

Aftab Alam to Andy Balbirnie. Tucks it through mid-wicket with the angle for a run. Looking good is Balbirnie again.

Aftab Alam to William Porterfield. Slightly fuller and Porterfield pounces onto it. He times it through covers and runs three.

Aftab Alam to William Porterfield. Changes the angle and comes over the wicket and bowls a good nut! On off and it shapes away from the left-hander. Porterfield plays inside the line and lets it go through.

Aftab Alam to William Porterfield. Better! Back of a length on off, Porterfield punches it to mid off.

Aftab Alam to William Porterfield. FOUR LEG BYES! Raining boundaries now! Poor line by Alam. He strays it on the pads, William tries to flick but misses. The ball brushes his pads and goes down to the fine leg fence.

Gulbadin Naib to Andy Balbirnie. Outside off, left alone. So two dots to end a good over for Ireland. 9 from it.

Gulbadin Naib to Andy Balbirnie. On off, kept out. Dragged his length back a little this time.

Gulbadin Naib to Andy Balbirnie. FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! Naib has not had a good start with the ball. He again bowls it very full on the stumps this time. Balbirnie helps himself and times it through mid on. The ball races away.

Gulbadin Naib to Andy Balbirnie. FOUR! Classic! Very full and outside off, Andy is in too good a form to miss out there, he strokes it through covers and bags a boundary.

Gulbadin Naib to William Porterfield. Leading edge but safe! A little too straight by Naib. Porterfield tries to flick it but closes the face of his bat a touch early. Maybe he was expecting the ball to come a touch quicker but it does not. It takes the leading edge and lobs back over the bowler's head for a run.

Gulbadin Naib to William Porterfield. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Gulbadin Naib is into the attack.

Aftab Alam to Andy Balbirnie. On the stumps again, AB pushes it to mid on. Another good over by Alam comes to an end. He has gone for only 7 in his three overs and taken a wicket also.

Aftab Alam to Andy Balbirnie. OHHHH! Close shave! Alam bowls it a touch fuller on off, Balbirnie strokes it back towards the bowler. He gets a hand to it as the ball goes agonizingly close past the stumps at the non-striker's end. William Porterfield gets back in with a dive. However, replays show had that hit the stumps, WP would have just about made it.

Aftab Alam to Andy Balbirnie. Outside the off stump, Balbirnie shoulders arms to it.

Aftab Alam to William Porterfield. Once again nicely driven on the up through wide mid off. However, it does not get to the ropes but the batsmen get three.

Aftab Alam to William Porterfield. Howzzat? The answer to that question is not out! Height an issue and replays later show it pitched outside leg. Shorter around leg. Porterfield goes for the pull but misses it. He is hit high on the pads.

Aftab Alam to William Porterfield. A length ball outside off, Porterfield does not play at it.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. Floats it up in search of some purchase. The ball is a little too full though. Andy gets to the pitch of it and pushes it to covers. Another tight over by an Afghan bowler comes to an end.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. Attacks the stumps, AB defends it to mid on.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. Driven towards the mid on region.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to William Porterfield. Errs in line this time and bowls it on the pads, Porterfield tucks it around the corner and takes one.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to William Porterfield. Stump-to-stump line by Mujeeb. William lunges and blocks it.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. Fires it on the stumps, Balbirnie pushes it down to long on and takes a run.

Aftab Alam to Andy Balbirnie. The man in form is off the mark. He tucks it towards mid-wicket and gets to the other end. End of a successful over by Alam. A run and a wicket from it.

Aftab Alam to Andy Balbirnie. BEATEN! Balbirnie goes fishing to a ball outside off, he probably could have left it. Luckily for him though, it whizzes past the outside edge.

Aftab Alam to Andy Balbirnie. Just behind a length on off, this one keeps a touch low, Andy gets his bat down in time and keeps it out.

Aftab Alam to Andy Balbirnie. Once again in the corridor of uncertainty. AB rocks back and keeps it out.

Andy Balbirnie is the new man in.

Aftab Alam to Paul Stirling. OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Alam draws first blood and it is a well deserved wicket. He has been really good till now and he has got his reward. He lands it on a length around off, Stirling has to play at it. He is half-forward as he tries to keep it out. The ball straightens, kisses the outside edge and goes into the mitts of the keeper. Alam is pumped up and he seems to be watching a lot of football as he brings out the Ronaldo celebration. The dangerous Paul Stirling walks back cheaply, not the start Ireland would have wanted after winning the toss and opting to bat.

Aftab Alam to Paul Stirling. Good start to his second over! Good length on off, this one pitches and shapes away. Paul tries to defend but is hit high on the glove.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to William Porterfield. A dot to end! Not a lot of purchase for Rahman in his first over. He bowls this flatter on off, Porterfield keeps it out easily.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to William Porterfield. The slider on the pads, Porterfield works it to mid-wicket.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to William Porterfield. FOUR! First boundary and it is off the bat of the Irish skipper. Top shot this! Rahman bowls it a touch too full and pays the price. He is crisply driven through covers and the ball races away to the fence.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to William Porterfield. A little too full, Porterfield strokes it to mid off.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to William Porterfield. On off, William lunges and blocks it out.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to William Porterfield. Fires it on the pads, no turn for him on the first delivery. Porterfield tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to bowl from the other end.

Aftab Alam to Paul Stirling. Off the mark is Stirling with that confident punch. Back of a length outside off, Paul guides it through backward point and runs two. A good first over by Alam comes to an end.

Aftab Alam to William Porterfield. Edged but wide of second slip! So after two wayward deliveries, Alam has really come back well. Once again uses the angle very well. Pitches it on off and then gets to slant away. William tries to block it but the ball takes the outside edge and goes down to third man. The batsmen cross. Also, first run for Ireland in this game.

Aftab Alam to William Porterfield. Uppish but safe! On a length again around off, Porterfield tries to stroke it on the up, he does so uppishly but well short of cover-point.

Aftab Alam to William Porterfield. A huge shout by the bowler but nothing from the umpire. Alam gets this one on the money and it almost produces a wicket. Excellent use of the angle there, on a length and around off, this one pitches and angles away. Porterfield tries to defend but he seems to have been beaten. The bowler puts in a loud shout but is not supported by the rest of the players. He is not happy as he feels there was an edge. However, the replays shown further are inconclusive.

Aftab Alam to William Porterfield. Again bowls it too wide outside off, Porterfield does not need to play at those.

Aftab Alam to William Porterfield. A touch of swing first up. Encouraging signs for the bowler but the line is little too wide outside off, Porterfield lets it be.

Out come the players as we are all set to get underway. William Porterfield and Paul Stirling are the openers. Aftab Alam will start the proceedings for Afghanistan. Here we go...

Asghar Afghan, the Afghanistan skipper, says the toss does not matter. States they will look to put pressure on the Irish batsmen. Ends by saying there is only one change in their playing XI, Janat comes in for Zazai.

William Porterfield, the Ireland skipper, says it is a used pitch and he wants to make the best use of it first up. Adds further that it is still a pretty good surface but might just slow up in the second innings. Mentions the last 4 series against Afghanistan have been tight and they would love to come out on top. Informs they are unchanged for this game.

TOSS - Ireland win the toss and they opt to bat.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, will put the last game behind them and try to get back to winning ways. They are favorites to get their hands on the trophy but the hosts won't go down without a fight. Let us hope we have an exciting game of cricket here today. Welcome to the coverage.

After a one-sided T20I series, the ODI series has turned out to be a really interesting one. It is time for the final game of the tour, which is also the decider. The Irish have momentum on their side and they would look to carry it forward and end on the winning side.