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So, that's it from this rain-affected game where Afghanistan deservedly take a 1-0 lead. Ireland might feel a bit unlucky but that last stand between Samiullah Shinwari and Najibullah Zadran threw them out of the competition. They will have the chance of leveling the series when both the sides meet for the second encounter at the same venue. The game will be played on 8th March 2020 and will begin at 1400 local (0830 GMT). We will love your company for that game. Till then, it is goodbye from our side.

Like Ireland, Afghanistan too started brilliantly with Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz powering the score over 50 inside 5 overs. A two-wicket over from Simi Singh and a brilliant run out in the next over from the spinner brought Ireland in the game. However, a quickfire 42 off just 21 balls from Najibullah Zadran meant that Afghanistan kept their noses ahead when the rain arrived. And, eventually it did not stop and the Afghans were declared winners.

Afghanistan did not start well with the ball as Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Shapoor Zadran were hammered early on. Karim Janat bowled economically but it was Rashid's 4 overs that brought the hosts back in the game. The Afghan star spinner ended with 22/3 in his spell.

Earlier in the day, after winning the toss, Ireland started with a bang as Paul Stirling and Kevin O'Brien provided a breezy start. They added 63 for the first wicket. After O'Brien fell, Stirling took over control and went on to score a brilliant half ton. However, when it looked like the Irish were set for anything around 200, Rashid Khan stuck thrice in the middle phase of the innings to hamper the run scoring. Tector's hand of 29 runs off just 17 balls took Ireland to 172.

Alas, the inevitable has happened and it is Afghanistan who win the game as per the DLS method. They take the game by 11 runs and take a 1-0 lead in this 3-match T20I series.

So Shinwari walks back and so do the umpires and the players as the rain is coming down now and on come the covers! Now then, a wicket just before play was halted, can this make things interesting? We will update the DLS scores in a while. Stay tuned. Well, the news is, as per the DLS, Afghanistan are ahead. So if no further play, they will come out as winners.

14.6

W

OUT! Timber! Yes, three dots and Shinwari was getting itchy. Rankin bowls another bouncer around off, this one though it is not that short. Shinwari once again goes for the pull but fails to connect. The ball goes behind and just about kisses the bails. 40 more needed in 30 balls.

14.5

.

Slower bouncer and Shinwari is once again deceived. Good comeback from Ranking after getting hit for a six on the first ball of the over. He bangs this one short and just outside off, Shinwari goes for the pull but misses. Three dots in a row. Pressure is building.

14.4

.

Shortish and just outside off, Shinwari lets it be.

14.3

.

Ouch! That would hurt. A back of a length ball around off, Shinwari goes for the pull but he is early into the shot. He gets hit on his stomach.

14.2

1

Full and on middle, it is eased down to long on for a single.

14.1

6

SIX! WOW! That is a brilliant hit! Full and outside off, Najibullah stays inside the crease and powers it over extra cover for a biggie.

13.6

.

Quicker and just outside off, it is guided towards point.

13.5

1

Flatter and just outside off, it is hit down to long off for a single.

13.4

1

Short again, this time Shinwari pushes it to deep cover for a run.

13.3

1

Shortish and just outside off, Najibullah cuts it to sweeper cover for a single.

13.2

2

Excellent running between the wickets! A tossed up ball around off, Najibullah eases it towards mid on and scampers back for a couple.

13.1

1

Floated ball around off, Shinwari eases a single to long off.

Simi Singh is back on. 2-0-12-2 are his figures so far.

12.6

2

Misfield and two! Short and outside off, Najibullah cuts it towards point where the fielder misfields and allows two. 50-run stand is up between the two.

12.5

1

Dropped? Just short? A good length ball outside off, Shinwari looks to cut but it takes the upper part of the bat and goes towards point uppishly. O'Brien tries to get to the ball but it looked as if it bounced before him. They take a run.

12.4

.

Good length ball outside off, Shinwari looks to slam it through the off side but gets a bottom edge. Shinwari wants the run but Zadran is not interested.

12.3

4

FOUR! This is poor bowling from Rankin. He is the experienced man but he is getting some stick here. A short ball on middle from him. Shinwari pulls it powerfully between deep mid-wicket and long on. The ball races away to the fence.

12.2

.

Landed around off on a length, pushed towards point.

12.1

2

A couple to begin the over. Good length ball around off, Shinwari slaps it through covers. Young from mid off chases it down and slides to stop the ball inside the ropes. Two taken.

Boyd Rankin is back into the attack. 2-0-28-0 are his figures so far.

11.6

4

FOUR! Boundary to finish the over. 15 from it. Full and outside off, Najibullah slams it over extra cover and the ball races away to the fence.

11.5

1

Quicker one on the pads, Shinwari pushes it wide of the long on fielder and takes a run.

11.4

1

Short and wide outside off, Zadran cuts it towards point and takes a quick run.

11.3

2

A couple now! A fuller ball around the pads, Najibullah works it towards deep square leg and scampers back for the second.

11.2

6

SIX! That went way up in the air and the fielder from long off thought that he was in with a chance but it was far from his reach. Dockrell bowls a loopy ball just outside off, it is full and in the slot. Najibullah slams it towards long off and the fielder in the deep tries to catch but it is away from his reach.

11.1

1

Shorter and around off, Shinwari hits it down to long off for a run.

George Dockrell is back on. 1-0-7-0 are his figures so far.

10.6

.

A dot to end but 12 from the over! On off, it is kept out nicely.

10.5

4

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries and this could well be the over which shifts the momentum towards Afghanistan again. The bowler overcompensates and goes very full outside off. Najibullah hits it through covers and the ball races away to the fence.

10.4

4

FOUR! In the gap and a welcome boundary for Afghanistan! A little too short around off, Najibullah rocks back quickly and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

10.3

1

Floats it up on off, played towards covers for another one.

10.2

1

Fuller and outside off, it is hit through covers for one.

10.1

2

Top edge and two! Zadran brings out the reverse sweep but he gets a top edge. It goes towards third man for two.

9.6

1

Slightly shorter in length and around off, it is pushed through covers for one. 89 needed in the last 10.

9.5

1

Smashed but only for one! Shorter and around middle, this is pulled through mid-wicket but only for one.

9.4

1

Fuller in length and around off, this is hit down nicely towards long off for one.

9.3

2

Good running! On the pads, Najibullah works it with soft hands through mid-wicket and takes two.

9.2

.

Well fielded! Ireland have their tails up at the moment! This is fuller and around off, Najibullah guides it towards point where the fielder dives to his right and stops a boundary.

9.1

.

On middle, Najibullah keeps it out.

Craig Young is back on! 1-0-7-0 from him so far.

8.6

.

Three dots in a row to end! On off, Shinwari pushes it to covers.

8.5

.

Another dot! Very full on off, it is hit back to the bowler.

8.4

.

Good comeback! On off, it is kept out.

8.3

4

FOUR! Swept and done so nicely! On middle, Shinwari goes down on one knee and sweeps it brilliantly in the square leg region for a boundary. Releases a little pressure that was building.

8.2

.

Flatter and quicker on off, Shinwari guides it towards short third man.

8.1

2

A couple! On middle, it skids through, Shinwari mistimes it through mid-wicket. The bowler is appealing but he is the only one doing so. The batters take two.

8.1

1wd

Gets away with one! It is short and down the leg side, Shinwari swings hard but misses it. Wided.

Gareth Delany is into the attack now.

7.6

1

Just over! Almost another one! Shorter and around off, Shinwari chips it back towards the bowler. He though hits it well enough for it to go over the bowler's hand and down to long off for one.

7.5

1

Najibullah is off the mark as he works it through square leg.

Najibullah Zadran joins Samiullah Shinwari with his team in trouble in this run chase.

7.4

W

OUT! Yes, it is another run out! Janat is well short. To be honest, there was never a second run in it and Afghanistan in deep trouble now! Shorter and on middle, Janat works it through mid-wicket and the batters take one. They think of a second, both take a start but then both stop. Janat though goes for it. Tector runs in from the deep, picks the ball up and fires it to the keeper who whips the bails off. The throw is a little wide so the umpire has a doubt and he takes it upstairs. Replays show that Janat's dive does not save him. Two run outs and this could prove very costly.

Is this another run out? Ireland are confident but the umpire has taken it upstairs.

7.3

2

Hesitation but two in the end! This is fired outside off, Janat opens the face of the bat and takes off immediately. He is sent back though but seeing the ball go past the point fielder, they run two.

7.2

1

Angled into the pads, Shinwari works it through square leg for one more.

7.1

1

Flatter and around off, it is worked through mid-wicket for one.

George Dockrell is on now.

6.6

4

FOUR! Drilled! This is a top shot! Full and outside off, Shinwari smashes it through the covers and the ball races away to the fence. A good over spoiled by the last ball.

6.6

1wd

WIDE! A bouncer around off, it goes well over the batsman who lets it be. Called wide by the umpire.

6.5

1

Good length ball angled into the pads, Janat works it towards fine leg for a single.

6.4

.

Swing and a miss this time. A length ball outside off, Janat swings hard but fails to connect.

6.3

.

Good length ball outside off, Janat looks to reach out and clear the mid off fielder but gets an under edge.

6.2

1

Good length ball outside off, this time Shinwari stays on the back foot and runs it down to third man for a single.

6.1

.

Young starts with a length ball around off, Shinwari cuts it towards point where Tector makes a good stop.

5.6

1

One more single to end! On the pads, SS works it through square leg for one. End of the Powerplay and it is even-stevens after it. Afghanistan are 58 for 3. They were cruising along at one stage but now are pegged back with three wickets in no time. 115 needed in 84 balls.

5.5

1lb

A leg bye! On the pads again, Janat looks to flick but misses. He gets hit on the pads. The ball rolls on the leg side and a run is taken.

5.4

1

Shinwari is off the mark! It is on a length and around off, SS guides it through point for one.

5.3

W

OUT! Yes, he is! A direct hit and Afghan bags a diamond duck! Three wickets in quick succession and Afghanistan are in trouble now! Simi Singh is the man again, he is on fire at the moment. Two wickets in the last over and now a run out. It is shorter and around middle, Janat works it towards mid-wicket and takes off. Singh there gets to the ball quickly. Picks it up and hits the bull's eye at the bowler's end. Afghan seems to be well short but just to be sure, the umpire takes it upstairs and replays show that he has to take the long walk back.

Samiullah Shinwari is the next man in.

Run out appeal taken upstairs. Looks like Simi Singh has found Afghan short with his direct hit.

5.2

.

Well fielded! Shorter in length and around off, Janat cuts but the fielder at point dives to his right and stops it. Saves a boundary.

5.1

.

Good length and on off, it is kept out. This is a good time for the visitors to build some pressure.

Skipper Ashghar Afghan joins Karim Janat out in the middle. Change in bowling too as Joshua Little has been brought on to bowl.

4.6

W

OUT! Timber! Simi gets the second wicket of the over and it is the big wicket of Zazai. Singh bowls this quicker and around off, it keeps quite low as well. Zazai looks to keep it out but misses. The ball goes behind and uproots the off pole. Both the openers are dismissed in the same over. 118 more needed in 90 balls.

4.5

1

Flatter and around off, pushed towards the leg side for a run.

4.4

.

Floated on middle, pushed back to the bowler.

Karim Janat is in at 3.

4.3

W

OUT! LBW! Simi Singh strikes and gets the first breakthrough. Singh bowls this slower through the air around off and middle, Gurbaz once again goes for the sweep but fails to connect. He gets hit on the pads. The bowler and the Irish players appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Ireland have got the first one and they would now look to choke the hosts in the run chase.

4.2

4

FOUR! Swept away! Tossed up ball outside off, Gurbaz is sitting deep inside the crease as he sweeps it towards the deep square leg fence for a boundary.

4.1

.

Short and wide outside off, Gurbaz cuts but finds the point fielder.

Simi Singh is back on! Just the one over for him before.

3.6

1

50 up for Ireland in just 4 overs. A length ball around off and middle, Gurbaz works it towards mid-wicket and takes a single. Top start for the hosts.

3.6

1wd

WIDE! It is for height as Ranking dishes a bouncer outside off. Gurbaz does not offer any shot to it as he expects it to be called wide as it was way over his head. The umpire agrees as he wides it.

3.5

1

Landed around off and middle, worked behind square leg for a run.

3.4

4

FOUR! Now, a boundary. Runs coming thicks and fast for the Afghans. A back of a length ball on middle, Zazai does well to pull it towards the fine leg fence.

3.3

.

Swing and a miss this time! Another fuller ball, this one is angled away further from outside off, Zazai tries to reach out but misses.

3.2

6

SIX! Massive! This is excellent batting from Zazai. Just stand and deliver stuff from the big man. He gets a fuller ball in his slot, he whacks it over deep mid-wicket for a huge six.

3.1

.

Good length ball on middle and leg, Zazai keeps it out off his back foot.

2.6

2

A couple to end! Back of a length and on off, Gurbaz guides it through point. The fielder at third man runs to his right, dives and pushes it back in. Saves a couple for his side. Another big over for Afghanistan. They need 136 in 17 overs.

2.5

4

FOUR! This is very nicely played! It is a slower short ball around off, Gurbaz waits for it and then pulls it behind square on the leg side. No chance for the fielder in the deep.

2.4

2

Slightly shorter and around off, Gurbaz looks to pull but the ball skids through. He mistimes it through mid-wicket for two.

2.3

4

FOUR! Hit away with disdain! Take that, says Gurbaz. It is full and on middle, Gurbaz smashes it down the ground through long on and it races away. Raining boundaries here.

2.2

.

Length and outside off, it is left alone.

2.1

1

On a good length and around off, it is kept out.

Josh Little is on now!

1.6

4

FOUR! That is a very stylish flick! End of a very expensive over and Afghanistan are off to a flier. It is full and on the pads, Gurbaz lifts his back leg up and flicks it over mid-wicket for one more boundary. 17 from the first over of Rankin.

1.5

1lb

Another single! On the pads, Zazai looks to flick but misses. It hits the pad and rolls on the leg side. A run taken. Leg bye.

1.4

4

FOUR! Poor ball and put away! A short one on the body with fine leg up, easy pickings as Zazai pulls it fine down the leg side and it races away.

1.3

1

A quick run! On a length around off, Gurbaz taps it towards point and gets to the other end. The fielder does have a shy from point but misses.

1.2

6

SIX! Top edge and it goes all the way! A short one outside off, Gurbaz looks to pull but gets a top edge. It goes well over the third man fence. Afghanistan are dealing in maximums. He too is off the mark with a biggie.

1.1

1lb

A little too straight, Zazai looks to flick but it hits the pads and rolls on the off side. A single taken. Leg bye signaled.

Pace from the other end as Boyd Rankin is into the attack.

0.6

.

A dot to end! 4 dots in the over but still 7 from it. On middle, it is worked back towards the bowler.

0.5

1

Sensible batting! He now pushes this one down to long on and follows the biggie with a single.

0.4

6

SIX! Hammered! That is some shot and some way to get off the mark! A little too full this time and outside off, Zazai gets a chance to extend his arms, he lofts it well over mid off and it carries all the way.

0.3

.

Slightly quicker and on the pads, Zazai looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

0.2

.

Attacks the stumps this time, it is defended nicely.

0.1

.

Floats it up on off, Zazai keeps it out nicely. Good start by Simi Singh.

We are back for the run chase! Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz are the two openers for Afghanistan. Spin to start the proceedings first up as Simi Singh will bowl the first over of the innings. Here we go...

Craig Young into the attack now.

Now then, the wicket is a good one to bat on, Afghanistan will fancy their chances of chasing this down. Ireland, on the other hand, need to bowl well. Can they defend it? Stay tuned to find out.

The Afghanistan bowling was expensive to begin with but they did well in the middle overs. Rashid Khan, once he came on, got crucial wickets and also kept a check on the run-flow. He was the pick of the bowlers. Zadran also finished strongly. Janat and Naib also did a decent job but Mujeeb had a day to forget. Overall though, they will be happy with their effort.

172! Under par? Above par? Par? We will find out later but at the moment, Afghanistan will surely be the happier side of the two, especially after the start Ireland got. After electing to bat, Kevin O'Brien and Paul Stirling got them off to a flier. O'Brien departed but Stirling continued. He got to his half ton and at that time, Ireland looked set for something around 190. However, once he fell, run scoring got difficult, they lost wickets at crucial intervals and fell well short of where they could have got judging at one stage.

19.6

2

A couple to end! A length ball angled into the batter from outside off, Tector whacks it towards long on. They go for the risky second and complete it as the throw is a little wayward one. Ireland finish with 172/6.

19.5

2

Innovation now! Shapoor tries for the yorker but ends up bowling a full toss outside off, Tector reverse paddles it past the short third man fielder. The fielder chases it down and makes a sliding stop. Two taken.

19.4

.

A dot now! This one is a brilliant bouncer and Tector can only connect with thin air. It is short and just around off, Tector goes for the pull but fails to connect.

19.3

6

SIX! WHACKED! This is excellent stuff from Tector. He is making sure that Ireland finish on a high. A slower shortish ball around middle, Tector spots it early and slogs it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

19.2

1

Good length ball angled into the batter, it is worked towards square leg for a single.

George Dockrell is the next man in.

19.1

W

OUT! RUN OUT! Excellent throw from the deep! A full ball on middle, Simi flicks it towards deep mid-wicket. The call is for two but Nabi from the deep picks up the ball and fires a flat throw towards the keeper who takes the bails off quickly. Singh dives to make his ground. The replays roll in and show that the dive was a good one but Simi's bat was in the air. So he has to depart.

Run out appeal taken upstairs. Looks really close.

Shapoor Zadran will continue his spell and bowl the final over of the innings! Can he keep Ireland under 170?

18.6

1

A single to end! 9 runs and a wicket from the over. A very good spell by Rashid comes to an end. He ends with figures of 4-0-22-3. On the pads, it is worked on the leg side for one.

18.5

2

Very good running! On middle, Singh plays it with soft hands towards long on and takes two.

18.4

1lb

A leg bye now! On off, Tector looks to play the reverse sweep. He misses, it hits him high on the pads and rolls on the leg side. A single taken.

18.3

4

FOUR! Nails the sweep shot this time! He manages to drag it from outside off, it is right off the middle and in the gap through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Simi Singh joins Harry Tector out in the middle.

18.2

W

OUT! TAKEN THIS TIME! Mujeeb gets a chance to redeem himself and he does it brilliantly. This catch is a lot harder than the last one and it is taken outstandingly. Once again the sweep shot comes out from Tucker this time. It goes right off the top edge and lobs towards Mujeeb who runs in, slides and takes it inches above the ground. Another wicket for Rashid Khan.

18.1

1

DROPPED! Another one put down! Mujeeb is the culprit this time! It is on middle, Tector looks to sweep but there is extra bounce. Another top edge which goes towards deep square leg. Mujeeb is a touch late to pick it. He though gets to the ball but spills it. A single taken.

Rashid Khan to bowl the penultimate over of the innings. 3-0-14-2 are his figures so far. Can he strike one more time in this innings?

17.6

1

Audacious! Tector looks to play the reverse sweep. He does get bat to it but it is not off the middle. It lobs over covers for one. End of a very good over from Shapoor Zadran.

17.5

1

On the stumps, Tucker looks to force it through the off side but gets an inside edge. It rolls to the off side for one.

17.4

2

Nicely played! He uses his feet and makes room. It is shorter and around off, the batter guides it through point for two.

Lorcan Tucker is the next man in.

17.3

W

OUT! KABOOM! You miss, I hit stuff from Shapoor Zadran. This is on the stumps and it is on a length. Delany swings but the ball does not bounce as much as he expected it to and he is cleaned up. Another wicket at the right time for the hosts. Also, a good wicket as Delany can be quite destructive.

17.2

1

A slower one outside off, Tector looks to loft it but he mistimes it towards deep cover for one. Singles won't harm the hosts.

17.1

1

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

Shapoor Zadran is back into the attack. 2-0-21-0 from him so far.

16.6

.

One more dot! It is very full and on the pads, HT looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. A dot to end but a good over for the visitors. A day to forget comes to an end for Mujeeb. 4-0-49-1 from him.

16.5

1

A little too short, it is slapped down to long on for one.

16.4

.

Flatter and outside off, the batter looks to guide it towards point but misses.

16.3

1

A single now! This is on middle, it is swept towards deep mid-wicket for one.

16.2

4

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Ireland! This is tossed up outside off, it is a little too full. Tector lofts it well over the cover fielder and it races to the fence. 8 from the first two balls, pressure on Mujeeb.

16.1

4

EDGY FOUR! Ireland won't mind how they come as long as they come. It is outside off, Tector swings but it goes off the outside edge, past short third man and into the fence.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman is back on. 3-0-39-1 from him so far. Can he end well here?

15.6

4

FOUR! Good end to the over! A fuller ball outside off, Delany reaches out and squeezes it past the point fielder for a boundary.

15.5

1

Slightly shorter one and around off, Tector opens his bat face and runs it down to third man for a single.

15.4

1

Just a single as Delany mistimes his drive towards covers to this length ball outside off. 3 off the first 4 balls of the over.

15.3

.

Another length ball angled in. It is slightly shorter in length, Delany finds cover.

15.2

1

Short and wide outside off, Tector looks to cut but ends up chopping it towards covers. They take a quick run.

15.1

.

Play and a miss! A length ball angled in from outside off, Tector looks to force it towards the off side but misses.

14.6

1

Straightaway looks to play the reverse sweep to this delivery outside off. He though almost plays it onto the stumps. It goes agonizingly close past the off pole and towards short third man for one. End of another successful over for Afghanistan.

Harry Tector is the new batter in.

14.5

W

OUT! TIMBER! Rashid Khan gets his man! Balbirnie's luck runs out! He never looked convincing in his stay out there and now departs. It is the googly that does him in. It lands outside off and then turns back in. Balbirnie fails to pick it, it goes past his bat and hits the off pole. Another timely wicket for the hosts.

14.4

4

FOUR! Top edge but a boundary this time! Once again Balbirnie goes for the sweep. There is extra bounce on the delivery this time. It takes the top edge and goes wide of short fine leg. The fielder there hares after it, dives and tries to push it back in but his effort goes in vain.

14.3

2

In the air... safe! Two taken! This is tossed up outside off, Balbirnie looks to sweep but gets a top edge. It lands safe in the mid-wicket region and two is taken.

14.2

.

On the shorter side again, it is guided to point.

14.1

1

On off, it is pushed through covers for one.

13.6

4

FOUR! Nicely squeezed away! Spoils the over! A low full toss on middle, Balbirnie makes room and squeezes it through point and it races away to the fence.

13.5

2

A slower short ball around off, Balbirnie drags it through mid-wicket and takes an easy two.

13.4

1

A full toss, it is hit down to long off for one.

13.3

1

Shorter and outside off, Balbirnie looks to cut but he gets an outside edge down to third man for one.

13.2

.

Fuller and around middle, it is driven towards the bowler who gets his hand down and stops it.

13.1

.

Shorter and around off, Balbirnie mistimes it towards cover. Another dot.

Karim Janat is back on. 2-0-13-0 are his figures so far.

12.6

.

Huge appeal for LBW but there was an inside edge. Rashid bowls a quicker one around off, Delany looks to keep it out but is late in bringing his bat down. It takes the inside edge and thuds on the pads. There is a loud appeal from the Afghan players but it dies down quickly too.

12.5

1

Loopy ball around off, Balbirnie this time pushes it through covers for a run.

12.4

.

Another flatter ball around off, Balbirnie once again finds point.

12.3

.

Shortish and around off, Balbirnie cuts but finds the point fielder.

Gareth Delany is the next man in.

12.2

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Rashid strikes and sends Stirling packing. This can be a huge moment in the game. Rashid bowls this one slower through the air around off, Stirling looks to slog it over long on but the ball takes a leading edge and balloons high in the air. Rashid calls for the catch, settles under it and catches it over his head. Very good catch as it is never easy catching these skiers. A top knock from Stirling comes to end but he would've loved to keep going.

12.1

1

Shorter and closer to the off pole. Balbirnie cuts towards point and takes a run.

11.6

4

FOUR! End of a very expensive over for Afghanistan! Shorter and outside off, this is slapped through covers for one. 14 from it.

11.5

1

One more run! Shorter and around off, it is cut towards point where the fielder makes a half stop. A single taken.

11.4

1

Follows the biggie with a single as it is pushed down to long off.

11.3

6

SIX! Fifty up in style! Excellent attacking innings from him. Still a lot of overs left so he can make it big here. Shorter and around middle, Stirling goes back and pulls it well over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. 100 up for the Irish.

11.2

1

Flatter and on off, it is pushed down to long on for one.

11.1

1

Angled into the pads, it is worked through mid-wicket for one.

Mohammad Nabi into the attack now.

10.6

1

Full and wide outside off, Stirling sweeps it to deep mid-wicket for a single. Good tight start from Rashid in his first over.

10.5

1

Top edge but safe! Khan bowls a flighted ball on middle, Balbirnie looks to sweep but gets a top edge on this one. The ball lobs towards square leg. Gurbaz runs after it and then dives forward but the ball falls short. A single taken.

10.4

.

BEATEN! Beautifully bowled from Rashid! Quicker one outside off, Balbirnie looks to defend but the ball whizzes past the outside edge of the bat and goes into the mitts of the keeper.

10.3

.

NOT OUT! Balbirnie is safe! A shorter one from Rashid, it is wide outside off. Balbirnie cuts it well but goes for the single but Stirling sends him back. The throw from point is a good one as it comes over the stumps. Gurbaz collects the ball quickly and whips the bails off quickly. The Afghanistan players appeal and the umpire refers it upstairs. The replays roll in and show that Balbirnie had dropped his bat but kept his foot inside the crease. It could've been a disaster.

Run out appeal taken upstairs. Balbirnie's body language looks negative here. Let's see what the replays show.

10.2

1

Floated on middle, Stirling lifts it over Rashid for a single down to long off.

10.1

1

He starts with a quicker one on middle. It is fuller too. Balbirnie goes for the slog sweep but the ball takes the inner half of the bat and goes wide of the man at long on. A run taken.

Here comes the superstar, Rashid Khan.

9.6

.

A dot to end! Shorter and on middle, this is kept out towards the bowler. Another good over for Ireland, 18 from the last two.

9.5

1

A slower one on off, it is pushed towards point for an easy run.

9.4

4

FOUR! Poor delivery with third man up. Width on offer outside off, Balbirnie waits for it and then cuts it through point. No chance of stopping that.

9.3

1

Outside off again, Stirling looks to cut but chops it towards point for one.

9.2

.

Full and wide outside off, PS goes after it but misses.

9.1

1

Crunched but just for one! Shorter in length and on middle, this is pulled through square leg for one.

8.6

1

DROPPED! Shapoor puts down a relatively easy chance! That had to be taken, it would have been a big wicket. One more slower one outside off, Balbirnie slashes at it but it flies off the outside edge towards short third man where Shapoor Zadran spills it. A single is taken. This could prove very costly.

8.5

1

Another single as this ball is hit through covers again.

8.4

1

Slower and way too wide outside off, the batter reaches out for it and hits it through covers for one.

8.3

1

Length and around off, PS pushes it through covers for one.

8.2

6

SIX! That has gone all the way! Shorter in length and on middle, Stirling stays back and pulls it well over the square leg region for a biggie.

8.1

1

Fuller and around off, it is hit down to long off for one.

7.6

1

Once again a boundary scored in the over but just 6 from it! Length and around off, it is pushed through covers for one.

7.5

.

What was Stirling doing there? This is a length delivery around off, AB looks to push at it but it goes off the inner half to the right of the bowler. There is no danger whatsoever but Stirling still dives to get back in his crease.

7.4

.

Close! On a length and around middle, Balbirnie looks to push at it but gets an inside edge onto the pads. A half appeal but nothing.

7.3

1

Shorter in length and this one skids through. It is hit down to long on for one.

7.2

4

FOUR! Put away! Full and right in the zone for Stirling. He clears his front leg and thrashes it through covers. No chance of stopping those.

7.1

.

A swing and a miss! Shorter in length and outside off, it skids through. Stirling looks to cut but is beaten.

Karim Janat is on now. The drizzle has stopped for now and but it is quite overcast right now.

6.6

1

On the bounce to the fielder! So despite going for a boundary, just the five from the over. Stirling waits back for this slower one and pulls it towards deep square leg for one.

6.5

.

One more dot! Another slower one outside off, PS is guilty of going a little too hard at it. He mistimes it towards cover.

It has started to drizzle. It has been raining across the Northern part of the country and this was on the cards. There is some breeze around too so let's hope it gets blown away.

6.4

.

One more slower one which sticks in the surface a touch. Kevin looks to drive but mistimes it towards cover.

6.3

.

Goes back to bowling the slower one, it is on the pads, Stirling misses out as he fails to flick and it hits the pads.

6.2

4

FOUR! Cracking shot! A little bit of width on offer and it is put away! Short and wide outside off, Stirling stands tall and crashes it through point for a boundary.

6.1

.

This one is angled into the pads, Stirling looks to flick but is early into the shot. A soft leading edge towards mid off.

Andy Balbirnie is the next man in.

5.6

W

OUT! Timber! Afghanistan get the big wicket of O'Brien. Good end to the Powerplay for the Afghans. Mujeeb has something to show against the hammering that he has received in his first 3 overs. He bowls this full and on the pads, O'Brien looks to sweep but he misses. It is the quicker one. The ball goes behind and disturbs the stumps. He departs but he has given a brisk start to the visitors. 63/1 at the end of the Powerplay.

5.5

4

FOUR! Another boundary. Runs are coming thick and fast here. Flatter and around off, O'Brien looks to clear the long off fence one more time but he does not time it well. But it is good enough to take the ball to the fence.

5.4

2

A couple now! On the pads, Kevin looks to sweep but gets a faint inside edge. Zadran from short fine leg runs after it. He picks the ball and then looks to parry it to the fielder at short third man. He though throws it a little away and hence, an extra run is taken.

5.3

6

SIX! Hammered! Rahman is getting some treatment here. He bowls a fuller ball outside off, O'Brien makes room and powers it over long off for a biggie.

5.2

.

Floated on off, defended.

5.1

4

FOUR! Slammed! 50 up for Ireland in quick time. Shorter and around off, O'Brien slams it through covers for a boundary.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman has a change of ends. 2-0-23-0 are his figures so far.

4.6

.

Fuller and around off, driven to mid off. A dot to end the over.

4.5

1

Good length ball on middle, O'Brien strokes it to long on for a single.

4.4

.

Swing and a miss! Good length ball around off, O'Brien goes for the slog but fails to connect. It wasn't too far away from the off pole.

4.3

.

Good length ball around off, pushed towards mid off.

4.2

1

Good length ball on middle, Stirling pushes it to long on for a single.

4.2

1wd

Good length ball outside off, Stirling lets it be. Wided by the umpire.

4.1

.

Full and wide outside off, Stirling reaches out and goes for the drive but finds the cover fielder.

Gulbadin Naib is into the attack now.

3.6

1

Quick run to end the over. A length ball around off, Stirling taps it towards the off side and calls for a quick single.

3.5

1

Good length ball on middle, O'Brien tucks it towards short fine leg and takes a run.

3.4

1

Good length ball just outside off, Stirling works it towards wide long on for a single.

3.3

4

FOUR! Bouncer but on a poor line and Stirling does not miss out. It is down the leg side from Zadran. Stirling stays still and pulls it towards deep square leg. The ball bounces once and then goes to the fence.

3.2

.

Good length ball around off, Stirling strokes it to mid on.

3.1

4

FOUR! Very nicely played! Zadran dishes a short of a length ball outside off, Stirling rides the bounce and guides it through the gully and point fielder for a boundary.

2.6

4

FOUR! 16 from the over! This is a top start for Ireland. Mujeeb once again drifts down the leg side. O'Brien sweeps it past the short fine leg fielder for another boundary. This is poor stuff from Mujeeb.

2.5

.

Flatter and outside off, Kevin looks to force it through the off side but misses.

2.4

6

SIX! First one of the game. Mujeeb bowls it on the pads, O'Brien moves inside the crease and hammers it over fine leg for a maximum.

2.3

4

FOUR! O'Brien is getting into the action now. A full ball outside off, he slams it past the diving cover fielder for a boundary.

2.2

1

Loopy ball on middle, Stirling slog sweeps it towards long on for a run.

2.1

1

Floated on middle, pushed to long on for a run by O'Brien. He is giving the strike to Stirling.

1.6

4

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries. Excellent way to finish the over. Slightly shorter in length and around off and middle, Stirling makes room and slashes it through covers. The ball races away to the fence.

1.5

4

FOUR! Slammed down the ground! This is a brilliant shot from him. Zadran overpitches it outside off, Stirling hammers it through mid off for a boundary.

1.4

1

Shorter in length and on middle, O'Brien pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

1.3

1

Another risky run! Shortish ball on the body, Stirling tucks it towards short fine leg and calls for a quick run.

1.2

.

Landed on middle on a fuller length, pushed back to the bowler.

1.1

.

Fuller and around off, Stirling pushes it towards covers.

Shapoor Zadran will bowl from the other end.

0.6

1

Excellent fielding at point. Shortish and around off, it is cut to point. The fielder there dives to his right and makes an excellent stop. They go for the quick run. The fielder fires the throw at the keeper's end who whips the bails off quickly but O'Brien was good enough to get to the crease. 7 from the first over.

0.5

.

Flatter and on middle, worked towards square leg.

0.4

1

O'Brien gets off the mark on the first ball. He pushes this tossed up ball on middle down to long on for a single.

0.3

1

Fuller and on middle, Stirling pushes it towards mid on and takes a run.

0.2

4

FOUR! Smashes this one to get off the mark in style! Slightly shorter and just outside off, Stirling goes on the back foot and punches it through covers for a boundary.

0.1

.

Huge appeal first up. A flatter ball around off, Stirling goes for the sweep shot first up. He fails to connect and gets hit on the pads. Huge appeal but it was probably pitching outside off.

Done and dusted with the National Anthems. The two Irish openers, Kevin O'Brien and Paul Stirling, walk out to open the innings. Mujeeb Ur Rahman with the ball first up. Here we go...

Before the action, the players from both the sides are out for the National Anthems of their respective countries.

Pitch report - Ajay Mehra says that there is grass on this wicket and there is a strong breeze blowing around.

Asghar Afghan, the Afghanistan skipper, says that the toss doesn't really matter. On their record against Ireland, Afghan says that they have done well but it is a new day.

Andy Balbirnie, the Irish skipper, says that 1000th game of cricket for Ireland. The skipper says that the credit goes to all the people in the administration and fans back home. Tells that the surface is looking good. Wants to put runs on the board and put some pressure on Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Playing XI - Hazratullah Zazai, Najibullah Zadran, Asghar Afghan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Samiullah Shinwari, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan, Shapoor Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Ireland Playing XI - Andrew Balbirnie (c), Gareth Delany, Paul Stirling, Kevin O Brien, Simi Singh, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Craig Young, George Dockrell, Boyd Rankin, Joshua Little.

TOSS - Up goes the coin and it lands in favour of Ireland. THEY WILL BAT FIRST.

It's almost time for the 3-match T20I series between Afghanistan and Ireland. With T20 World Cup 2020 approaching, both the sides will be eager to start the series on a winning note. Spin-heavy Afghanistan will start as favourites in more familiar conditions but Ireland have been to this ground quite a few times too. While the hosts have an upper hand over Ireland, they will not be treating the visitors any lesser. Let's see who comes out on top in this first encounter. Team and toss updates in a while.

Match Center

1st T20I, Greater Noida, March 06, 2020, 02:00 PM

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