160/8 (20.0 ov)AFG
VS
IRE 79/10 (15.0 ov)
CRR: 5.26 | Afghanistan beat Ireland by 81 runs

AFG beat IRE by 81 runs | Afghanistan vs Ireland, Highlights And Cricket Score 2nd T20I Match - Commentary

Afghanistan in Ireland, 3 T20I Series, 2018

Date: Aug 22, 2018 Start Time: 20:30 IST | 15:00 GMT | 16:00 Local
Venue: Bready Cricket Club, Magheramason, Bready

Match Commentary

Afghanistan vs Ireland Highlights And Cricket Score 2nd Match - T20I Commentary

End of Over : 20.0 AFG: 160/8

Boyd Rankin is being interviewed near the sidelines. He says that it is a special feeling to perform well at his home ground. Mentions that it is a par score and adds that if they start well, they have a good chance of chasing this target down.

At one stage, 200 looked possible but some good bowling towards the latter half of the innings brought the home side back into the game. They picked timely wickets and didn't let the Afghan batters get under them. Peter Chase was the pick of the bowlers for them with three wickets and Rankin gave him good support, picking up a brace. An interesting chase is on the way if the home team applies itself. Join us in a short while.

Great end to the innings from Ireland. They fought back and kept their heads on the shoulders to pull things back. An innings of two halves this. The hosts were brilliant at the start during the Powerplay. They picked up two wickets and pegged the visitors back. Zazai along with his skipper, Afghan, took the onus among themselves, counter-attacked and stroked their way to a 116-run stand. Zazai got to his second 50 in two games and was looking good for his maiden ton but fell against the run of play. Nabi and Zadran tried their best towards the end but didn't last long enough.

19.6 W

Peter Chase to Aftab Alam. OUT! Wicket off the final ball and it is an outstanding catch! In the slot around off, Alam throws the kitchen sink at it but ends up slicing it off the outer half of the bat over covers. Balbirnie backtracks, keeps his eyes on the ball and dives to take it brilliantly. AFGHANISTAN FINISH ON 160/8!

19.5 0

Peter Chase to Aftab Alam. Good bowling! Chase spots Alam coming down the track and bowls a length ball well outside off. Aftab goes at it but misses.

19.4 1

Peter Chase to Najibullah Zadran. Full ball on middle and leg, Najibullah tries to hit it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The batsmen steal a run.

19.3 6

Peter Chase to Najibullah Zadran. SIX! Bang! Shortish ball on leg stump which comes at a waist height for Zadran. He stands his ground and hammer-pulls it over long leg to clear the fence. 10 from the first three balls, can he finish strong?

19.3 wd

Peter Chase to Najibullah Zadran. Wide! Chase attempts the short ball but it is too high as Zadran lets it go.

19.2 2

Peter Chase to Najibullah Zadran. Full length ball attacking the stumps, Zadran hoicks it away towards deep square leg. Simi Singh in the deep hares to his right and keeps it down to two.

19.1 1

Peter Chase to Aftab Alam. Good length ball on off, Alam clears his front leg and drags his heave towards deep mid-wicket for a single. 150 up for Afghanistan.

End of Over : 19 2 Runs AFG: 149/7
18.6 0

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Back of a length ball outside off, punched to the fielder at covers. Sensational finish from Rankin. His figures read 4-0-14-2.

Aftab Alam is the new man in.

18.5 W

Boyd Rankin to Rashid Khan. OUT! What a spell from Rankin and he gets another wicket to his name. Some good death bowling from the hosts here. Slow ball outside off, Rashid is early in his shot and hits it uppishly. The ball skies just outside the inner circle near mid off and Thompson takes another catch.

18.4 0

Boyd Rankin to Rashid Khan. Short ball outside off, Rashid looks to upper cut this but misses.

18.3 1

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. Not out! Just a mere formality. Ireland never looked convinced. Zadran taps this to the point region and quickly hares to the other end. Paul there collects it and hits at the non-striker's end. The umpire takes it up but Zadran is well in.

A run out appeal at the bowler's end has been taken upstairs. Seems to be fine though.

Rashid Khan strides out to bat. He can hit some lusty blows. Can he make a difference?

18.2 W

Boyd Rankin to Mohammad Nabi. OUT! Another one bites the dust. Rankin digs this one short on middle and leg. Nabi looks to hook this one but does not time it well enough. The ball goes towards deep square leg where Stuart Thompson makes no mistake.

18.1 1

Boyd Rankin to Najibullah Zadran. The batsman opens the face of the bat and helps it to third man. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Boyd Rankin is back for his final over.

End of Over : 18 10 Runs AFG: 147/5
17.6 1

Peter Chase to Najibullah Zadran. Connects this time but can only hit it wide of the fielder at square leg for one. 10 runs and a wicket from the 18th over.

17.5 0

Peter Chase to Najibullah Zadran. Short again on middle and leg, Zadran tries hooking it but misses.

17.4 4

Peter Chase to Najibullah Zadran. FOUR! Another boundary for Zadran. Chase goes short outside off, Zadran cuts it behind square and finds the fence once again.

17.3 4

Peter Chase to Najibullah Zadran. FOUR! Short ball aimed at the hips of Zadran who pulls it fine towards the fine leg region. The fielder there dives but to no avail.

17.2 1

Peter Chase to Mohammad Nabi. Milked through the mid on region for one.

Najibullah Zadran is the new man in.

17.1 W

Peter Chase to Shafiqullah. OUT! Afghanistan are losing their way towards the end. A soft dismissal and Shafiq has to walk back. Looks to pull this short ball away to the on side but gets a top edge. Chase runs to his right and has the simplest of catches to grab.

Peter Chase is back on for his final spell.

End of Over : 17 13 Runs AFG: 137/4
16.6 6

Joshua Little to Mohammad Nabi. SIX! 10 runs off the last two balls to end the over and Nabi straightaway joins the party. Pre-meditates to this length ball around the leg side and paddles this over fine leg for half a dozen.

16.5 4

Joshua Little to Mohammad Nabi. FOUR! Shot! Nabi showcasing his class. Stays in the crease and carves this over cover-point for a good looking boundary.

16.4 1

Joshua Little to Shafiqullah. Shafiq drives this through the covers. The batsmen have run through for a single.

16.3 1

Joshua Little to Mohammad Nabi. Slower ball on the pads of Nabi who works it through square leg for another run.

16.2 1

Joshua Little to Shafiqullah. Shafiq hits this through mid-wicket to get off the mark.

Mohammad Nabi is the new man in.

16.1 W

Joshua Little to Asghar Afghan. OUT! Back-to-back wickets for the Irish. Asghar has thrown his wicket away and both the set batsmen have to walk back to the den. Little serves a slow ball full and outside off. Afghan gets on his knee and looks to slog it to the on side. He cannot generate enough power behind it and finds Dockrell at deep backward square leg. However, the umpire tells Asghar to wait as he sends it upstairs to check for the front foot no ball. The replays show that Little has some part of the foot behind the line and the marching orders are given to the skipper.

Shafiqullah Shafiq comes out to bat.

End of Over : 16 2 Runs AFG: 124/3
15.6 W

George Dockrell to Hazratullah Zazai. OUT! Dockrell gets his well-deserved wicket. Bowls a low full toss outside off. Zazai gets behind the ball and looks to loft it over deep mid-wicket. The ball does not travel the distance and finds Singh near the ropes. Unlucky for Zazai as he misses out on a century but a swashbuckling knock nonetheless. The 116-run partnership is finally broken. Sensational finish from Dockrell. Just 2 runs and a wicket of this 16th over. Dockrell ends with figures of 4-0-19-1.

15.5 1

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Driven through mid off by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.

15.4 1

George Dockrell to Hazratullah Zazai. Fuller ball around off, Zazai hits it to the on side to get off strike.

15.3 0

George Dockrell to Hazratullah Zazai. Brilliant. Dockrell using all his experience here. Darts in a yorker outside off, Zazai gets bat to ball only to the bowler. Three dots in a row. Can he end it well?

15.2 0

George Dockrell to Hazratullah Zazai. Dot ball. Another fuller ball around off, Zazai cannot do much with it.

15.1 0

George Dockrell to Hazratullah Zazai. Full and in line of the stumps, Zazai hits it back to the bowler.

End of Over : 15 15 Runs AFG: 122/2
14.6 1

Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total.

14.5 0

Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. Back of a length ball outside off, Zazai makes room but cannot get bat to ball.

14.4 6

Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. SIX! Top edge and it goes all the way! Small ground and Zazai is making the most of it. Little digs one short on middle and leg, Zazai pulls it but gets a top edge which flies over fine leg for a biggie.

14.3 1

Joshua Little to Asghar Afghan. Good slow ball. Saw Afghan getting into position early so darts a slow ball outside the leg stump. Afghan looks to paddle this but doesn't make good contact. It goes just past the keeper and to the short fine leg fielder who keeps it to one.

14.2 1

Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. Short and outside off, cut away in front of square for one.

14.1 6

Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. SIX! Huge! That made some sound! Little bowls an ideal length ball around off, Zazai picks it up and hoicks it over mid-wicket for a sweet maximum. That also brings up the 100-run stand between them.

Joshua Little in for another spell.

End of Over : 14 2 Runs AFG: 107/2
13.6 0

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. The skipper has pushed it to the cover region. Another good over from Dockrell, only 2 from it.

13.5 1

George Dockrell to Hazratullah Zazai. Full again outside off, this time Zazai lofts it over covers. Stirling there, dives but cannot get his hands to it. They pick up a single.

13.3 0

George Dockrell to Hazratullah Zazai. Good ball. Excellent yorker. Darts this one full and just outside the off pole. Zazai cannot get bat to ball.

13.2 1

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Loopy ball around off, Afghan dances down but does not make proper connection off it. The ball goes to cow corner. They cross.

13.1 0

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Quicker one in line of the stumps, Afghan hits it back towards the bowler.

George Dockrell to have a bowl again.

End of Over : 13 4 Runs AFG: 105/2
12.6 0

Boyd Rankin to Hazratullah Zazai. Length again outside off, Zazai opens the bat face and hits it to third man to retain the strike.

12.5 0

Boyd Rankin to Hazratullah Zazai. Zazai plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man.

12.4 1

Boyd Rankin to Asghar Afghan. Length ball on the pads of Afghan who flicks it away towards square leg for another run.

12.3 1

Boyd Rankin to Hazratullah Zazai. Stays inside the crease and tucks this away to the on side to rotate strike.

12.2 1

Boyd Rankin to Asghar Afghan. Goes short again, Afghan pulls it through mid-wicket for a run.

12.1 0

Boyd Rankin to Asghar Afghan. Back of a length ball outside off, defended off the back foot.

12.1 wd

Boyd Rankin to Asghar Afghan. Wide. Unusual bounce. Too high to worry the batsman. Rankin digs it short but the ball is too high for Afghan, he ducks under it. The umpire has signalled a wide.

Boyd Rankin returns.

End of Over : 12 20 Runs AFG: 101/2
11.6 1

Paul Stirling to Asghar Afghan. Hard hit but just for one. Afghan gets low and slogs this one to the deep mid-wicket region to retain strike. Huge over for Afghanistan, 20 from it.

11.5 1

Paul Stirling to Hazratullah Zazai. Zazai has driven it through mid off. One run added to the total.

11.4 6

Paul Stirling to Hazratullah Zazai. SIX! Make that three in the over! Stirling is surely not getting another over. Bowls a low juicy full toss outside off, Zazai gets low and slaps it with power over long off for a huge maximum.

11.3 0

Paul Stirling to Hazratullah Zazai. It's been driven superbly through the covers.

11.2 6

Paul Stirling to Hazratullah Zazai. SIX! Another one! 12 off 2 balls already. This one is a loose delivery from Paul. Serves a full toss on leg stump, Zazai tonks it over deep square leg for a biggie.

11.1 6

Paul Stirling to Hazratullah Zazai. SIX! Welcome to the bowling crease, Stirling! What a way to get to his half century. Paul bowls this flat on middle, Zazai gets behind the ball and lofts it over his head to get back-to-back 50s.

Paul Stirling is asked to roll his arm.

End of Over : 11 4 Runs AFG: 81/2
10.6 0

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Another tossed up ball in line of the stumps, Afghan is happy to block it.

10.5 0

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Loopy ball on middle and leg, Afghan taps it to the off side and thinks of the run but is sent back by his partner.

10.4 1

George Dockrell to Hazratullah Zazai. Zazai works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.

10.3 1

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Fuller this time, Afghan flicks it in the gap through mid-wicket for one more.

10.2 1

George Dockrell to Hazratullah Zazai. Darts this wide and well outside off, Zazai reaches for it and square cuts it for one.

10.1 1

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Stays in and turns his bat to the leg side to get off strike.

George Dockrell is back into the attack.

End of Over : 10 19 Runs AFG: 77/2
9.6 6

Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. SIX! The moment the ball left the bat, we knew where it was heading! Short ball on off, sits up nicely for Zazai. He lines it up and pulls it with aplomb over deep square leg for a mammoth biggie. The biggest over of the innings, 19 from it. Can they continue to carry on in the same manner?

9.5 4

Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. FOUR! Extraordinary shot! How well did he strike it! Full ball, tailing in, Zazai stays leg side of the ball and whips it with a strong bottom hand over mid-wicket. Beats the fielder in a jiffy.

9.4 1

Joshua Little to Asghar Afghan. Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.

9.3 2

Joshua Little to Asghar Afghan. Very full ball outside off, squeezed away towards deep cover where the fielder runs to his right and cuts it off to two.

9.2 0

Joshua Little to Asghar Afghan. Some confusion but no harm done in the end! Length ball around off, Afghan tries to dab it square of the wicket on the off side but gets an inside edge onto his pads. He doesn't know where the ball is and hence, takes off. His partner also takes off but he is rightly sent back after the skipper realizes that the ball is down the track.

9.1 6

Joshua Little to Asghar Afghan. SIX! In the arc, out of the park! Fullish delivery around off, angling away. Afghan lines it up and hoicks it across the line over deep mid-wicket. It is going, going and sails over the fielder near the ropes.

End of Over : 9 3 Runs AFG: 58/2
8.6 0

Boyd Rankin to Hazratullah Zazai. A play and a miss again! Zazai looks like a dynamic batsman but he has to work on his footwork. Fullish ball outside off, he goes at it with hard hands but fails to get bat on ball. Only 3 from this one.

8.5 0

Boyd Rankin to Hazratullah Zazai. Beaten! No footwork at all. Length ball, seaming away off the deck. Zazai tries to guide it to third man but gets foxed.

8.4 1

Boyd Rankin to Asghar Afghan. Afghan flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single. The 50-run stand is up between the two. Good going from them.

8.3 1

Boyd Rankin to Hazratullah Zazai. Short ball in line of the stumps, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a run.

8.2 1

Boyd Rankin to Asghar Afghan. Tight but safe! Back of a length outside off, Afghan places it towards Stirling at short third man and takes off. Stirling attacks the ball and tries to score a direct hit at the striker's end but misses. The replay though shows that Zazai was comfortably in.

8.1 0

Boyd Rankin to Asghar Afghan. On a driveable length outside off, Afghan goes for a booming drive but misses.

Boyd Rankin is back on.

End of Over : 8 11 Runs AFG: 55/2
7.6 4

George Dockrell to Hazratullah Zazai. FOUR! A gift and gleefully accepted! A friendly full toss on leg stump, Zazai picks it up and flicks it over backward square leg for a boundary.

7.5 4

George Dockrell to Hazratullah Zazai. FOUR! Lucky for Zazai! Full delivery wide outside off, Hazratullah throws his bat at it but gets a bottom edge that goes right through the legs of the keeper to the fence behind.

7.4 1

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Quicker one outside off, dabbed past point for a single.

7.3 1

George Dockrell to Hazratullah Zazai. Driven through mid off by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.

7.2 0

George Dockrell to Hazratullah Zazai. Loopy full delivery outside off, pushed off the front foot towards mid off.

7.1 1

George Dockrell to Asghar Afghan. Good running! Afghan taps this one with soft hands towards covers and scurries across to the other end.

The left-arm spinner, George Dockrell to roll his arm over now.

End of Over : 7 2 Runs AFG: 44/2
6.6 0

Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. That's the perfect definition of a toe crusher. A yorker, tailing in prodigiously. Zazai is late to react as he clears his front leg to handle it but does enough to get an inside edge onto his boots. A good first over from Little, only 2 from it.

6.5 1

Joshua Little to Asghar Afghan. Leg bye! On a good length, Asghar tries to work it away but the ball brushes his pads and rolls to the leg side. The batsmen steal a run.

6.4 0

Joshua Little to Asghar Afghan. Afghan should have got hold of that one! Slower short ball but ill-directed. It is down the leg side as Afghan swipes it straight to the man at 45. A meter either side of him would have resulted into a boundary.

6.3 1

Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. Fuller in length outside off, Zazai doesn't move his feet much as he strokes it through covers for a run.

6.2 0

Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. Overpitched delivery outside off, Hazratullah pushes it back to the bowler who parries it towards the cover fielder.

6.1 0

Joshua Little to Hazratullah Zazai. On a length on middle, Zazai makes room and drives it to extra cover.

Joshua Little to have a burst now.

End of Over : 6 15 Runs AFG: 42/2
5.6 0

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. Afghan strides ahead and places this one square of the wicket on the off side. 28 from the last two overs has made it a decent Powerplay for Afghanistan but Ireland are still in a strong position.

5.5 4

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. FOUR! The runs are coming thick and fast now! Leans ahead to a similar ball and slog sweeps it again towards deep mid-wicket. The fielder moves to his right, dives but fails to keep the ball in play. Good effort though.

5.4 4

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. FOUR! 10 in two balls! That was hammered. Fuller in length around off, Afghan crouches and slog sweeps it through mid-wicket for a rocketing boundary.

5.3 6

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. SIX! Hit with authority! The skipper is starting to show his colours. Tossed up delivery outside off, Asghar comes down the track and tonks it over wide long off for a maximum. Good momentum for the visitors. That gets him to 1000 T20I runs. The third Afghan to do so.

5.2 1

Simi Singh to Hazratullah Zazai. Slow through the air on middle and leg, helped away towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

5.1 0

Simi Singh to Hazratullah Zazai. Singh continues to bowl on the leg stump. Zazai tries to flick it away but is struck on the pads.

End of Over : 5 13 Runs AFG: 27/2
4.6 0

Peter Chase to Asghar Afghan. Back of a length outside off, Afghan rides the bounce and taps it towards point. 13 runs from the over, that's more like it for Afghanistan.

4.5 1

Peter Chase to Hazratullah Zazai. Defended off the back foot by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.

4.4 6

Peter Chase to Hazratullah Zazai. SIX! Boom! Afghanistan need to keep on finding the boundaries and who better than the 20-year old. He gets one in the arc outside off and swings through the line. Doesn't get it off the meat of the bat but the power is so much that the ball sails over the wide long off fence.

4.3 4

Peter Chase to Hazratullah Zazai. FOUR! Streaky but effective! Good length ball in line of the stumps, Hazratullah tries to heave it away but gets a top edge that sails over the keeper and goes to the fence on one bounce.

4.3 wd

Peter Chase to Hazratullah Zazai. Wide! Chase loses his radar and slips this one down the leg side, the southpaw fails to get bat to ball but his team gets an extra.

4.2 1

Peter Chase to Asghar Afghan. A misfield! In the corridor outside off, on a short of a length, cracked away towards short third man who fumbles to parry it towards backward point. Concedes a single.

4.1 0

Peter Chase to Asghar Afghan. Shortish ball, takes off after pitching. Afghan hangs back and taps it towards covers.

End of Over : 4 6 Runs AFG: 14/2
3.6 4

Simi Singh to Hazratullah Zazai. FOUR! Poor ball and duly punished! Singh errs in line again, bowling it down the leg side. Zazai lifts his bat and swipes it over short fine leg to find the fence. Second boundary of the innings.

3.5 0

Simi Singh to Hazratullah Zazai. Zazai tries to flick an indrifter to the leg side but is hit on the pads.

3.4 0

Simi Singh to Hazratullah Zazai. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot.

3.3 1

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan. Once again down the leg side, helped to the man at 45 for a run.

3.2 1

Simi Singh to Hazratullah Zazai. Short ball, pulled away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

3.1 0

Simi Singh to Hazratullah Zazai. Going down the leg side, Zazai tries to help it away but is hit on the pads.

End of Over : 3 1 Runs AFG: 8/2
2.6 0

Peter Chase to Asghar Afghan. Outside off, played off the back foot towards the off side. A run and a wicket from this over.

The Afghanistan skipper, Asghar Afghan is the new man in. Needs to play a captain's knock.

2.5 W

Peter Chase to Samiullah Shenwari. OUT! Ireland are making early inroads! Smart bowling from Chase has brought about the downfall of Shenwari. He bangs a short ball and catches Samiullah by surprise. He tries to go for a pull even though he is in an uncomfortable position. Gets a top edge which flies towards deep mid-wicket. Dockrell comes in a few steps and pouches it safely.

2.4 0

Peter Chase to Samiullah Shenwari. Similar delivery outside off, punched off the back foot towards the cover region. As the keeper comes up, he ends up slipping due to the dampness on the ground. Hope he is fine.

A bit of a delay after Gary Wilson fell after slipping. The groundsman comes in with some sawdust. It is being sprinkled behind the wicket as well as on the crease.

Afghanistan need to keep on rotating the strike and put away the bad balls. It is important to make good use of the Powerplay.

2.3 0

Peter Chase to Samiullah Shenwari. Short of a length outside off, holding its line. Shenwari guides it towards point.

2.2 1

Peter Chase to Hazratullah Zazai. Short ball that sits up nicely for Hazratullah. He pulls it hard towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

2.1 0

Peter Chase to Hazratullah Zazai. Fullish delivery around off, Zazai drives it crisply towards the mid off fielder.

Peter Chase comes into the attack.

End of Over : 2 2 Runs AFG: 7/1
1.6 1

Simi Singh to Hazratullah Zazai. Sliding down the leg side, Zazai plays it off the inner half towards short fine leg for a run. A wicket and 2 from the over.

1.5 1

Simi Singh to Samiullah Shenwari. On middle and leg, helped away towards mid-wicket for a run.

Samiullah Shenwari comes out to bat.

1.4 W

Simi Singh to Mohammad Shahzad. OUT! Singh draws first blood! Shahzad was itching to put him to the cleaners but he is the one who is heading back. On a flatter trajectory outside off, skidding after pitching. Shahzad tries to go over mid on perhaps but gets a leading edge that lobs behind. Boyd Rankin at short third man accepts it gleefully. Not the ideal start for Afghanistan.

1.3 0

Simi Singh to Mohammad Shahzad. Similar delivery outside off, straighter one, slapped away towards point again.

1.2 0

Simi Singh to Mohammad Shahzad. A touch ahead, skidding off the deck. Shahzad tries to tonk it down the ground but misses.

1.1 0

Simi Singh to Mohammad Shahzad. Starts off with a shortish ball outside off, cut away towards point where the fielder dives to his right to make a good stop.

Simi Singh to share the new ball from the other end.

End of Over : 1 5 Runs AFG: 5/0
0.6 0

Boyd Rankin to Hazratullah Zazai. A play and a miss again! A short ball outside off, Hazratullah tries to pull it across the line but gets foxed. A decent start for Ireland, only 5 from it.

0.5 0

Boyd Rankin to Hazratullah Zazai. Almost an edge! Good stuff from Rankin. He hits the deck hard and bowls an away shaping ball around off. Zazai fishes at it and misses.

0.4 4

Boyd Rankin to Hazratullah Zazai. FOUR! Intent straightaway! He is taking the attack from where he left off in the last game. This time Rankin bowls a fuller length ball outside off, Zazai clears his front leg and hits it hard over extra cover for a boundary.

0.3 0

Boyd Rankin to Hazratullah Zazai. In the same channel, angling away from the southpaw. He plays it with an angled bat towards point.

0.2 0

Boyd Rankin to Hazratullah Zazai. Similar length ball on middle and off, tucked with a closed bat face towards short mid-wicket.

0.1 1

Boyd Rankin to Mohammad Shahzad. Afghanistan and Shahzad are away! Back of a length ball around off, angling in, Mohammad makes a bit of room and taps it away to third man.

We are set to get rolling on an overcast afternoon. The men who matter stride out to the middle. Mohammad Shahzad and Hazratullah Zazai to open the batting for Afghanistan. The visitors will hope for another solid start from them. Boyd Rankin to steam in with the new ball first up. Here we go...

TOSS - Afghanistan win the toss and opt to bat. There is a sole change for both teams. For the visitors, Shafiqullah Shafiq comes in for Usman Ghani. On the other hand, the hosts have brought in Boyd Rankin who is replacing Tyrone Kane.

The Irishmen, on the other hand, need to fire on all cylinders. They have shown sparks of potential here and there but they have to understand the value of clicking as a unit. A do-or-die encounter is enough to make them strive for the best. Let's hope the rain stays away so that we can witness a complete explosive match. The toss is coming up in a while...

Hello and a warm welcome to the coverage of the second T20I between Ireland and Afghanistan at the Bready Cricket Club. The visitors would be aiming to carry their momentum forward. The fact that they have won their last 6 games against the hosts in this format augurs really well for them.

End of Over : 15.0 IRE: 79/10

Right then! 2 matches, 2 wins and the series is Afghanistan's. Can Ireland avoid a whitewash? First they need to start picking the spinners from the opposition to do that. Join us for the third T20I on Friday, 24th August, 2018 at 1600 local (1300 GMT). ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Afghanistan skipper, Asghar Afghan, thanks the Almighty for winning the series. Reckons they thought anything over 140 would have been a good score as they have quality bowlers. Feels they lost wickets in the middle which was the problem, otherwise they would have got a big score after the start Hazratullah Zazai gave them. Ends by saying that they will try for the whitewash come the final game.

Ireland skipper, Gary Wilson, says whenever you lose a game by such a big margin it's always disappointing. Feels the boys will be hurting as they will know it's not good enough, but everyone will train hard and try to come back well in the final game. Mentions that whenever you lose by a margin of 81 runs, the toss has no bearing on it.

It is not like there were no positives for Ireland at all. They started well with the ball and finished decently too, picking up 6 wickets in the last 5 overs - but that 116-run stand between Zazai and Afghan took the game away. Rankin's 2/14 and Dockrell's 1/19 in addition to Chase's 3-fer were the highlights for the home side. Stay tuned for the presentation.

As expected, spin was supposed to be the weak link for the Irish and that indeed turned out to be. Paul Stirling departed to Aftab but then Mujeeb got stuck into them. There was a brief fight between Porterfield and Wilson but once that was broken, it was all over. Just to emphasize on the spinners' stats - 10-0-53-8 - the combined figures of Mujeeb, Rashid and Nabi. Simply too good.

So Afghanistan register their 7th successive win over Ireland in this format. They have been unbeaten since 14th January 2017 and the Irish don't seem to be getting any closer to beating them. The hosts did well with the ball but floundered hopelessly with the bat.

William Porterfield is caught on the sidelines for a little chat. He says after a losing a couple of early wickets it's always difficult. Mentions they needed to get that one big partnership but it never came. Credits Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan for their splendid bowling as they made it difficult for the batsmen with their variations. States that they came close the other day, so it's just a bad day and anything can happen, so just have to come back fresh for the final game and give it their best.

14.6 W

Rashid Khan to Peter Chase. OUT! Fantastic catch and that ends the game! Game and series to Afghanistan, with one more match to go. Floated outside off, Chase gets down and attempts a mighty slog sweep. Seems to have connected well but when he looks up, he sees Mohammad Nabi swooping onto his sweep from long on and taking a fantastic diving catch. AN 81-RUN WIN FOR AFGHANISTAN!!!

14.5 4

Rashid Khan to Peter Chase. FOUR! Lucky boundary. Full and outside off, Chase has a wild slog but only gets a top edge. It flies over the keeper and eludes short fine leg to the fence behind.

14.4 0

Rashid Khan to Peter Chase. The batsman was beaten and missed the line of the delivery.

Peter Chase is the last man in.

14.3 W

Rashid Khan to Boyd Rankin. OUT! All the cheers have vanished now. The googly, around middle, Rankin plays all over it and misses the ball. Castled, is he.

14.2 6

Rashid Khan to Boyd Rankin. SIX! THUMP! Something for the crowd to cheer. Hitting the best bowler from the opposition for a biggie. Flighted outside off, Rankin picks the leggie and deposits the leg spinner with a mow over mid-wicket!

14.1 0

Rashid Khan to Boyd Rankin. LBW appeal, turned down again. PITCHED OUTSIDE LEG. That settles the argument. Rankin looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. Impact is outside leg while the ball seemed to be going past the leg stump too.

End of Over : 14 1 Runs IRE: 69/8
13.6 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Joshua Little. Full and outside off, Joshua looks to sweep but misses. Mujeeb finishes with figures of 4-0-17-3. Brilliant.

13.5 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Joshua Little. This one spits off the deck, darts in from outside off, Little plays all around it and is hit on the pads. An LBW appeal ensues but that was too high. Not the octane, but the impact.

13.4 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Boyd Rankin. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single.

13.3 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Boyd Rankin. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Boyd Rankin to try and save some face now... Ireland's lowest T20I score against Afghanistan is 71. Just saying...

13.2 W

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to George Dockrell. OUT! Wickets are falling like ninepins here. Short and outside off, there to be hit and Dockrell hits it too. Pulls it but the shot goes straight to mid-wicket where Shenwari completes the formalities with a leap. Boy, Ireland could get bowled out here, well before the 20th over.

13.1 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to George Dockrell. Full and around off, flicked straight to mid-wicket.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman is back on. 3-0-16-2 so far.

End of Over : 13 3 Runs IRE: 68/7
12.6 1

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Driven through mid off by the batsman. They pick up a single. 12 balls, 2 wickets, 7 runs - the masterly miser.

12.5 1

Rashid Khan to Joshua Little. The leg spinner now, flicked towards mid-wicket for a single.

Joshua Little is the new man in. Ireland might not do with a little score from him though...

12.4 W

Rashid Khan to Gary Wilson. OUT! Googled by the googly! Just too good for the batsman. Rashid comes running and bowls a wrong 'un and it is simply not picked by the batsman. The experienced skipper has a wild slog across the line, only to miss.

12.3 1

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.

12.2 0

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Full and outside off again, pushed towards mid off now.

12.1 0

Rashid Khan to George Dockrell. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.

Rashid Khan is back on. 1-0-4-1 so far.

End of Over : 12 1 Runs IRE: 65/6
11.6 0

Mohammad Nabi to Gary Wilson. Tossed up outside off, driven back to the bowler. Just a run and a wicket from the over.

11.5 0

Mohammad Nabi to Gary Wilson. Full and around off, pushed back to the bowler.

11.4 1

Mohammad Nabi to George Dockrell. The batsman plays a pull shot to this short delivery. They pick up a single.

Ireland staring down the barrel as they are now into their bowlers. George Dockrell is the first of them.

11.3 W

Mohammad Nabi to Simi Singh. OUT! The leg stump is out of the ground! Going from bad to worse now. Simi Singh walks a mile across his stumps in his attempt to paddle but his indication is way too early. Nabi sees and slows his pace ever so much that Simi misses it completely. Well, not completely. The ball hits his gloves and then uproots the leg stump.

11.2 0

Mohammad Nabi to Simi Singh. Full and around off, Simi looks to turn it to the leg side but the bat turns in his hands instead. A leading edge is induced which goes wide of the bowler.

11.1 0

Mohammad Nabi to Simi Singh. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

End of Over : 11 5 Runs IRE: 64/5
10.6 2

Fareed Ahmad to Gary Wilson. Short and outside off, Gary cuts it hard behind point again and once more Mujeeb is the man chasing. This time he parries the ball towards deep backward point and the couple is completed with ease. The bowling change has done the trick...

10.5 0

Fareed Ahmad to Gary Wilson. A short ball outside off, Gary looks to cut but is beaten by the extra bounce.

10.4 2

Fareed Ahmad to Gary Wilson. SAFE! Lousy has the eyes of a hawk. It was a tricky call but the master called it right just when the umpire made the signal towards the third umpire. A short ball, Wilson cuts it hard behind point. Mujeeb Ur Rahman gets to the ball from third man and returns a good throw as the batsmen take the second. It is right over the bails as Wilson puts in a desperate dive. Replays are touch and go and eventually, the third umpire gives the benefit of the doubt to the batsman as when the bails are dislodged, the bat seemed to be slightly in the air, but not quite clear.

Run out? My colleague Lousy here feels Wilson has made it. What does the third umpire think?

10.3 0

Fareed Ahmad to Gary Wilson. A length ball this time, around middle, cutting back in sharply, Wilson looks to tuck it to the leg side but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.

Simi Singh walks in at number 7, replacing O'Brien.

10.2 W

Fareed Ahmad to Kevin O'Brien. OUT! Kevin O'Brien perishes and that is half the side done and dusted. A short ball outside off, KOB possibly thought he had a chance to get on with the scoring rate and went for the pull. However, for him, the ball took the toe end and lobbed high in the end. Deep mid-wicket comes rushing in and takes it easily. Usman Ghani, the substitute, is the fielder.

10.1 1

Fareed Ahmad to Gary Wilson. Just over! A length ball to start the new spell, Wilson charges down the track and looks to pull it away. Miscues and luckily for him, the edge just about clears the man running back from short mid-wicket. Just a single.

Fareed Ahmad back on.

End of Over : 10 10 Runs IRE: 59/4
9.6 1

Mohammad Nabi to Gary Wilson. In the air but it's safe. Shorter in length, Wilson positions himself for the reverse sweep and top edges it. It balloons over point and falls well short of the fielder running in from the deep to catch it. Just the one and that will be the end of the over. 102 needed in 60 to win for Ireland.

9.5 2

Mohammad Nabi to Gary Wilson. Quicker in pace, attacking the stumps, it's flicked neatly through the vacant mid-wicket area for a brace.

9.4 0

Mohammad Nabi to Gary Wilson. Steps out of the crease again, but only presents a defensive shot in response on this occasion.

9.3 6

Mohammad Nabi to Gary Wilson. SIX! Nabi floats it up a little and this time Wilson dispatches it. Makes great use of his feet to get close to the pitch and smokes it over long on for half a dozen.

9.2 0

Mohammad Nabi to Gary Wilson. Big shout from Nabi but no can do, says the umpire. Wilson is too far out of the crease and it's going down leg too. Short again, Gary looks to work it across the line but misses.

9.1 1

Mohammad Nabi to Kevin O'Brien. Quick, short and on the stumps, O'Brien uses the depth of the crease to go back and whip it in front of square leg. One run collected.

End of Over : 9 4 Runs IRE: 49/4
8.6 1

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. Moves inside the line, brings his wrists into play before turning it through square leg. One run to end the over.

8.5 1

Rashid Khan to Gary Wilson. The batsman works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.

8.4 1

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. Short and flat outside off, Kevin goes back and works it towards mid on for a single to get off the mark.

8.3 0

Rashid Khan to Kevin O'Brien. Could have been gone there. That was close. Full and fast, just outside off, O'Brien can't bring his bat down in time. He knows he's escaped one here, a little to the right and he was out of here.

Kevin O'Brien is in next. A lot rests on his shoulders now.

8.2 W

Rashid Khan to William Porterfield. OUT! That's a superb catch! Well done, Aftab Alam. Porterfield gets low and brings out the reverse sweep. Doesn't middle it at all and it lobs towards short third man. Alam there moves to his right and takes a low diving catch. William was looking in fine touch, he departs at the wrong time for the Irish.

8.1 1

Rashid Khan to Gary Wilson. Loopy and full just outside off, swept through square leg for a single.

Rashid Khan into the bowling attack. His spell could swing the match in either team's favour, depending on how he does.

End of Over : 8 8 Runs IRE: 45/3
7.6 6

Mohammad Nabi to William Porterfield. SIX! Much-needed for the home side, especially after a tight over. Short in line of the stumps, Porterfield camps back and muscles the pull high and handsome over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

7.5 0

Mohammad Nabi to William Porterfield. Stays on the back foot and punches it to extra cover.

7.4 0

Mohammad Nabi to William Porterfield. Darts it full and keeps it just outside off, William tries to bring his bat down to jam it out but misses. Good for him it wasn't in line of the stumps.

7.3 1

Mohammad Nabi to Gary Wilson. The batsman has played the reverse sweep. The batsmen have run through for a single.

7.2 1

Mohammad Nabi to William Porterfield. Flat, quick and short outside off, cut through towards sweeper cover for a single.

7.1 0

Mohammad Nabi to William Porterfield. Faster one outside off, Porterfield smashes it towards Shenwari at extra cover. An awkward bounce and the ball hits him on the left leg. That must have stung, he's down on the ground. The physio is out with the magic spray.

Mohammad Nabi to roll his arm over.

End of Over : 7 12 Runs IRE: 37/3
6.6 1

Fareed Ahmad to William Porterfield. Shortens the length a touch this time, Porterfield gets an inside edge as he's cramped for room. The ball goes off the pads and rolls on the off side for a single.

Ireland have some momentum on their side now. Need to capitalize on that and get a move on.

6.5 4

Fareed Ahmad to William Porterfield. FOUR! Two in two. Just what the hosts would have wanted. Some quick runs. Down the leg side and William puts it away through backward square leg.

6.4 4

Fareed Ahmad to William Porterfield. FOUR! Welcome boundary for Ireland. Back of a length with some room on offer outside off, Porterfield pounces on it and puts it away with a fierce cut through the covers. No stopping that.

6.3 2

Fareed Ahmad to William Porterfield. Stays back to the length ball and punches it just wide of mid off. The fielder there tries to stop it with a dive but can only make a half-stop. Two to the total.

6.2 1

Fareed Ahmad to Gary Wilson. Served on a length on a fifth stump channel, the Irish captain cuts this towards Rashid Khan at sweeper cover. He jogs over to the other end and completes a run.

6.1 0

Fareed Ahmad to Gary Wilson. Spears this full and keeps it just around off, it tails in slightly, Wilson looks to drive but gets an inside edge back down the track.

End of Over : 6 10 Runs IRE: 25/3
5.6 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Gary Wilson. Straighter one on the pads, Gary nudges it to short fine leg. Takes the fielder on and beats his throw at the bowler's end. Single completed.

5.5 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to William Porterfield. Square of the wicket again, another cut shot. One more run results.

5.4 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Gary Wilson. Cuts this short ball just wide of point and gets a run for doing so.

5.3 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to William Porterfield. Flatter and quicker, on the stumps, worked away into the gap on the leg side for a single.

5.2 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to William Porterfield. Stays back and keeps it out off the back foot.

5.1 6

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to William Porterfield. SIX! Nicely executed shot from William Porterfield. Full on off stump, the left-hander gets low, brings out the reverse sweep and connects well. It flies and goes flat over the deep backward point boundary for a maximum.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman called back on to have a go with the ball.

End of Over : 5 2 Runs IRE: 15/3
4.6 0

Fareed Ahmad to Gary Wilson. Short of a length outside off, some room on offer, Wilson cuts it hard but straight to backward point.

4.5 0

Fareed Ahmad to Gary Wilson. Fullish in length, outside the line of off stump, driven to the man at cover.

4.4 0

Fareed Ahmad to Gary Wilson. Dropped! Shahzad puts down a dolly. Oh, dear. How can you miss that? The simplest of catches really. Angling across on a length, outside off, Wilson plays away from his body and gets a feather behind. Shahzad can't keep a hold of a straightforward catch. Ahmad clearly frustrated with that.

4.3 1

Fareed Ahmad to William Porterfield. Lofts this down towards long on and changes ends.

4.2 0

Fareed Ahmad to William Porterfield. Good length delivery outside off, a play and a miss from the batsman.

4.1 1

Fareed Ahmad to Gary Wilson. Another sharp run. Gary Wilson works this in front of square leg and takes off. Asghar Afghan gets to the ball, has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Wouldn't have mattered either, as his counterpart was well in by then.

Fareed Ahmad is brought into the attack.

End of Over : 4 4 Runs IRE: 13/3
3.6 1

Aftab Alam to Gary Wilson. Good running, this. Yorker fired in, Wilson digs it out towards mid on and quickly calls for the run. His partner responds and both batsmen cross over before the fielder can get to the ball. Nicely done.

3.5 0

Aftab Alam to Gary Wilson. In the channel outside off, on a good length, left alone.

3.4 0

Aftab Alam to Gary Wilson. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

3.3 0

Aftab Alam to Gary Wilson. Loud shout for a leg before, but height has saved him. Possibly an inside edge too? No, just the height, then. Just behind a length on middle and off, slight movement inward, Wilson is rapped high on the thigh pad as he's beaten.

3.2 1

Aftab Alam to William Porterfield. Goes full again, outside off this time, Porterfield drives it through the cover region for one run.

3.1 2

Aftab Alam to William Porterfield. Full and tailing back in, flicked off the pads through square leg for a couple of runs.

Gary Wilson, the skipper, walks into the middle next. Ireland in trouble here.

End of Over : 3 2 Runs IRE: 9/3
2.6 W

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andy Balbirnie. OUT! Second of the over and third one down for the Irish. Mujeeb has done a superb job here. Slows this one up after darting a few in, as a result Balbirnie is done in. He's beaten in the flight so when he prods forward to push it, he chips it back towards the bowler. Mujeeb moves to his right and takes a tumbling catch.

2.5 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to William Porterfield. The batsman plays a pull shot to this short delivery. The batsmen have run through for a single.

2.4 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to William Porterfield. Shortish in length, around leg, pulled through square leg for a single.

2.3 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to William Porterfield. Loopy from the offie, Porterfield presents a straight bat in defense.

Andy Balbirnie is the next man in to bat.

2.2 W

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Stuart Thompson. OUT! Afghanistan have their second wicket. Well, well, well... things have got quite interesting now. Length ball to which Thompson walks out to. Tries to go across the line but gets a big leading edge which pops back down the ground. Nabi at long off comes under it and makes no mistake in taking it.

2.1 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to William Porterfield. Streaky runs. Skidding off the surface a bit, a length delivery on the stumps, it goes off the edge of the batsman's bat and runs down to fine leg for one.

End of Over : 2 3 Runs IRE: 7/1
1.6 1

Aftab Alam to William Porterfield. Off the mark with that. Fraction straight in line, touch fuller too, Porterfield flicks it aerially through backward square leg. There is a man in the deep who moves to his right and cuts it off. Only a single taken.

William Porterfield walks in at no.3.

1.5 W

Aftab Alam to Paul Stirling. OUT! Big blow for Ireland. The dangerous Paul Stirling departs without doing any damage. Good bowling from Alam. He bowls it full and makes it come back in, Stirling flicks it aerially towards Rashid Khan at mid-wicket. He's at the edge of the circle. Moves to his right and takes it safely.

1.5 wd

Aftab Alam to Paul Stirling. Wide! Down the leg side and that's a wide.

1.4 0

Aftab Alam to Paul Stirling. Short. Got to be careful here. Stirling has width on offer so he flashes at it. Cuts it in front of gully.

1.3 0

Aftab Alam to Paul Stirling. Ooooohh! That's come in a long way! Seaming back in heavily from a good length, on middle, Stirling looks to cut and almost pays the price for it. The ball, luckily for him, takes the inside edge and raps him on the pads.

1.2 1

Aftab Alam to Stuart Thompson. Big top edge but Thompson is safe. Back of a length around off, the southpaw throws his bat at it with a big swing but manages a big top edge which flies towards third man. Well short of the fielder though and a single is taken.

1.1 0

Aftab Alam to Stuart Thompson. Lands it on a good length just around off, it shapes away, Thompson tries to feel for it but gets beaten past the outside edge.

Aftab Alam to bowl from the other end.

End of Over : 1 4 Runs IRE: 4/0
0.6 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Stuart Thompson. Knocked through to long on for a run to end the over. Decent start for the hosts.

0.5 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Goes deep inside the crease, it's on a flatter trajectory, turned in front of square leg for one.

0.4 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Stuart Thompson. Leans ahead to this fullish ball and drives it to long on for a single.

0.3 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Stuart Thompson. Plays the same shot, connects on this occasion. Straight to short third man though.

0.2 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Stuart Thompson. Landed outside off from around the wicket, Thompson tries to play the reverse sweep but wears it on the front pad.

0.1 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Paul Stirling. Ireland's account is opened straightaway. Full and quick on the stumps, Stirling kneels down and sweeps it just wide of short fine leg for a single.

We are back for the run chase. 161 to win and Ireland are favourites to win at the moment. Though, all that can change with a couple of early wickets. Paul Stirling and Stuart Thompson will open for the home side, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman will take the ball first up. Here we go...

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