Match Center

That's all from this game! Afghanistan take the series 2-0 with one game to spare. Ireland will play for pride and they need to improve in both the departments. The third game will be played on 10th March at 1400 Local (0830 GMT). Join us then. Until then, cheers.

Afghanistan skipper, Asghar Afghan says that the series is very important and the opening partnership did the job for them. He mentions that when they are set in the middle then hitting the ball becomes easy. Further says that they started slow as they knew that the pitch was slow and then they went on after the bowling after settling the eyes in. He ends by saying that they would look to play it the same way as they have played in the series and further says that they would look to end it on a high.

For his 3-wicket haul Mujeeb Ur Rahman is the Man Of The Match.

Ireland skipper, Andy Balbirnie says that they bowled well but Afghanistan are better side . He further says that T20 is all about batting in the middle overs which his team did not do. He further says that it is a great learning as it is a year of the T20 World Cup.

Ireland bowled well at the start, not giving them many runs but once the Afghan players started attacking, they faltered and lost their lines and lengths. They gave away a lot of runs at the death and that was what costed them in the end. Stay tuned for the presentation...

Earlier, in the game, Afghanistan, after a slow start, went hammer and tongs at the death scoring 120 runs in the last 10 overs. They ended up with 184 on the board which was a massive target. Asghar Afghan was the chief destructor with the bat as he scored 49 off just 28 balls and he was well supported by Nabi. Gulbadin Naib hit some lusty blows in the end as well.

Ireland started well with the bat with Kevin O'Brien going all guns blazing at the start but Ur Rahman started the procession, pegging them back with two quick wickets. Andy Balbirnie and Harry Tector tried to bring them back but once Balbirnie fell, it was always going to be a steep ask for the Irish. Tector played really well for his 37 but it was not enough. They could never get going with the bat in the end and they eventually fell short by 21 runs.

2-0, it is for Afghanistan with a game to spare. What a brilliant performance from them! They were brilliant with the ball and have managed to take an unassailable lead in the series. Ireland raced to 29 in three overs but Mujeeb picked up two wickets in quick succession to peg the Irish back. The bowlers used the slower balls to perfection and the Ireland batters could not pick it and succumbed. Mujeeb Ur Rahman picked up three wickets while the other bowlers supported him well.

19.6

.

Beautiful ball to end the innings by Shapoor. He bowls a perfect yorker and Singh can do not much about it as he digs it out. AFGHANISTAN WIN BY 21 RUNS!

19.5

1

NOT OUT! Full and driven to long on for a single. Some drama there as Dockrell was looking for a couple but was sent back by Simi Singh. There is a direct hit at the bowler's end and the umpires take it upstairs and Dockrell is well in. A single is what they settle for.

A run out check! It is referred upstairs.

19.4

1

Length ball on off, pulled towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

19.3

.

Slower and outside off, Singh goes for the drive but misses it.

19.2

1

Length ball on off, pulled towards mid-wicket for a single.

19.1

1

Length ball on off, pulled towards long on for a single.

18.6

1

Flighted delivery on middle, Singh flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. 15 from the over and Ireland need 26 runs in 6 balls.

18.5

6

SIX! That is huge! Tossed up delivery on off, Simi Singh comes down the track and lofts it over long off for a maximum.

18.4

1

Loopy delivery on off, Dockrell plays it towards covers for a single.

18.3

2

Floated delivery on middle, Dockrell flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen get two runs.

18.2

4

FOUR! Nice shot! Tossed up delivery on off, Dockrell drives it through mid off for a boundary.

18.1

1

Full delivery on middle, Simi Singh sweeps it through square leg for a single.

George Dockrell is the new man in. Rashid Khan is back on.

17.6

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Lorcan Tucker also departs and Ireland are on the cusp of a series loss. Slower and on a length around off, Tucker lofts it over mid on but fails to get underneath the ball this time. The ball goes straight to the man at long on where Mohammad Nabi takes the catch.

17.5

1

Short and on middle, Singh pulls it to mid-wicket for a single.

17.4

2

Length and on leg, Singh pulls it to deep square leg where Mujeeb saves a couple of runs.

17.3

1

Short ball on middle, Tucker pulls it towards wide long on for a single.

17.2

4

FOUR! Full and outside off, Tucker drives it straight down the ground for a boundary at long off.

17.1

.

Length ball on middle, Tucker looks to play the reverse sweep but misses it as the ball goes past the outside edge and the leg pole towards the keeper.

Shapoor Zadran is back on. 2-0-13-0 are his figures so far.

16.6

.

BEATEN! Loopy delivery outside off, Singh looks to defend but misses it.

Simi Singh is the new man in.

16.5

W

OUT! BOWLED! Mujeeb Ur Rahman gets his third! After being hit for a six and a four earlier in the over, Mujeeb has his revenge! Flighted delivery on off, Tector looks to cut but misses it and gets bowled. It hits the off stump and Tector starts walking back to the pavilion after playing a good knock.

16.4

.

The batsman fails to put bat on ball.

16.3

6

Flatter and on off, Tector pulls it through mid-wicket and gets a maximum this time.

16.2

2

Floated and on off, Tector drives it through covers but a spirited effort in the field there saves a couple.

16.1

4

FOUR! That is a clean hit. Floated and on off, Tector lofts it over mid on for a boundary.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman is back on. 3-0-26-2 are his figures so far.

15.6

4

FOUR! Nice improvisation! Full delivery on middle, Tucker plays a paddle sweep over fine leg for a boundary.

15.5

1

Length delivery on off, Tector punches it towards covers for a run.

15.4

1

On a length on middle, Tucker flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

15.3

1

Length delivery on off, Tector plays it towards covers. The fielder goes for a direct hit at the bowler's end but misses it. The batsmen take a single.

15.2

2

DROPPED! Rashid Khan is the culprit! Short delivery on middle, Tector pulls it over mid-wicket but does get the timing on it. It goes towards Rashid Khan who tries to take the catch but spills it. The batsmen get two runs.

15.1

1

On a length on off, Tucker plays it towards point for a single.

Karim Janat is back on. 2-0-22-0 are his figures so far.

14.6

.

Another googly and the Irish batters have failed to read it. It is bowled around off and turning away from the flick of the batter and the ball goes off the pads towards the off side. There is an appeal for LBW but the umpire is unmoved.

14.5

1

Floated and on off, pushed towards mid off for a single.

14.4

2lb

GOOGLY! It beats everyone there. Tucker skips down the track and looks to tuck floated ball on the pads round the corner. He though misses it and the keeper too fails to collect it. The ball rolls towards fine leg where Shapoor Zadran gives the chase and pulls it just inches ahead of the ropes. The batters sneak a couple of leg byes.

14.3

1

Floated and on middle, pushed back past the bowler for a single.

14.2

.

Flighted and around off, Tector drives it to the left of the bowler where Rashid dives and saves some runs.

14.1

1

Floated on leg, tucked towards mid on for a single.

13.6

1

Tossed up delivery on middle, Tucker sweeps it through square leg for a run.

13.5

1

Floated delivery on off, Tector guides it towards third man for a single.

13.4

1

Loopy delivery on off, Tucker plays it towards point for a run.

13.3

1

Flighted delivery on middle, Tector plays a reverse sweep towards third man for a single.

13.2

1

Edgy! Flighted ball outside off, Lorcan looks to flick but gets a leading edge which goes towards long off. A single.

13.1

.

Floated on off, Tucker defends it to cover.

12.6

.

On middle, Tector keeps it out.

12.5

.

Floated delivery on off, Tector plays it towards point.

Lorcan Tucker is the next batsman in.

12.4

W

OUT! The skipper is the new addition to the dressing room. Rashid Khan strikes and he is pumped up. Andy Balbirnie was going superbly but a false shot or one should say, a brilliant piece of fielding has seen the back of the Irish skipper. It was floated on off and middle, Balbirnie gets down on one knee and slogs it towards deep mid-wicket where Samiullah Shinwari runs to his right and takes a tumbling catch.

12.3

1

Floated on off, Tector plays it uppishly towards the vacant long on region for a single.

12.2

1

Full delivery on middle, Balbirnie drives it through mid on for a single.

12.1

1

Tossed up delivery on middle, Tector looks to drive but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It goes towards the leg side. The batsmen cross ends.

11.6

.

Flatter and outside off, Andy looks to cut it towards point but gets an inside edge which rolls back to the bowler.

11.5

2

Flatter and on off, punched off the back foot towards covers for a couple.

11.4

1

Floated and on middle, driven towards long on for a single.

11.3

1

Full and on leg, swept towards square leg for a single.

11.2

1

Flatter and outside off, cut through point for a single.

11.1

1

Floated around middle, tucked towards mid-wicket for a single.

10.6

1

Short and outside off, Balbirnie cuts it through point for a single.

10.5

1

Full delivery on middle, Tector drives it through mid on for a run.

10.4

1

Short delivery on off, Balbirnie cuts it towards point for a single.

10.3

.

BEATEN! Loopy delivery outside off, Balbirnie looks to guide it but misses.

10.2

1

Floated delivery on middle, Tector flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen cross ends.

10.1

1

Tossed up delivery on middle, Balbirnie flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Rashid Khan is into the attack.

9.6

1

Flatter and outside off, Andy cuts it through point and retains the strike.

9.5

.

Full and down the leg side, Balbirnie looks to tuck it to the leg side but misses it to get hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards short fine leg. There is an appeal too for LBW but the umpire is unmoved.

9.4

.

Flatter and outside off, Andy cuts it but finds point to perfection there.

9.3

4

FOUR! Flatter and outside off, Andy cuts it powerfully past point and into the fence for a boundary. The fielder from sweeper cover runs to his left but fails to keep the ball in play there.

9.2

1

Floated and around off, the batter looks to flick it to the leg side but gets an outside edge which rolls towards short third man for a single.

9.1

1

Flatter and on off, pushed towards covers for a single.

Mohammad Nabi is on.

8.6

1

Short delivery on middle, Balbirnie pulls it through mid-wicket for a single. 13 runs have come from the over.

8.5

4

FOUR! Nicely played! Full delivery on off, Balbirnie lofts it over mid off for a boundary.

8.4

1

Full delivery on off, Tector drives it through point for a run.

8.3

1

Length delivery on off, Balbirnie slaps it over covers for a single.

8.2

6

SIX! Amazing shot! Short delivery again, Balbirnie comes down the track and pulls it over mid-wicket for a maximum.

8.1

.

Play and a miss! Short delivery outside off, Balbirnie looks to pull but misses it.

7.6

4

FOUR! Excellent batting from Tector! It is full and outside off, Tector leans and drives it handsomely through covers for a boundary.

7.5

.

Short ball on leg, Tector goes for the pull but misses it.

7.4

1

Short and outside off, Balbirnie pushes it off the back foot towards covers for a single.

7.3

1

Full and outside off, Tector drives it to covers for a single.

7.2

4

FOUR! Fractionally short outside the off stump line, Tector cuts it past point for a boundary. The third man fielder is a spectator there as the ball crosses the fence.

7.1

.

Length ball on middle, flicked to mid-wicket.

6.6

4

FOUR! Good shot! Length delivery on leg, Balbirnie flicks it towards fine leg for a boundary.

6.5

1

On a length on off, Tector guides it towards third man for a single.

Harry Tector is the next batsman in.

6.4

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Delany too goes. It is once again a slower one and on a length. Delany goes for the pull but lack of pace means that he fails to generate enough power on it. The ball can only go towards the deep mid-wicket region where Rashid Khan takes the catch with ease.

6.4

2wd

Short ball down the leg side, Andy looks to flick it but misses it. The keeper fails to collect it and the batters take a bye. Wided.

6.3

.

Full and slower outside off, Andy plays it back to the bowler.

6.2

1

Slower ball on leg, pulled towards mid-wicket for a single.

6.1

1

Length ball on off, driven through covers for a single.

Gulbadin Naib is into the attack.

5.6

1

Full and on off, driven to the man at covers for a run. Ireland are 51/2 at the end of Powerplay.

5.5

2

Length ball outside off, Delany cuts it to backward point for a couple.

5.4

.

Short of a length ball outside off, Andy cuts it to point.

5.3

4

FOUR! Once again it is bowled full and outside off, Balbirnie drives it through covers for a boundary.

5.2

1

Short of a length ball on off, pushed towards point for a single.

5.1

4

FOUR! Delany welcomes Janat into the attack with a hit to the fence. It is full and outside off, Delany drives it through covers and fetches a boundary.

Karim Janat is on.

4.6

.

On off, Balbirnie keeps it out.

4.5

1

Loopy delivery on middle, Delany flicks it towards square leg for a single.

4.4

.

Floated delivery on middle, Delany looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

4.3

1

Flighted delivery on middle, Balbirnie drives it through mid on for a single.

4.2

.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Balbirnie keeps it out.

Gareth Delany is the next batsman in.

4.1

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Paul Stirling the danger man is out of here. Mujeeb strikes once again and he has accounted for both the Irish openers in quick succession. Mujeeb floats one around middle and leg, Stirling goes for the slog but gets it off the top half of the bat. It goes towards deep square leg where Najibullah Zadran settles himself under it and takes the catch. Ireland in dire straits as they have lost both their experienced batsmen in quick time.

3.6

1

Direct hit might have been close! Full on middle, Stirling pushes it to mid on and takes off for a single. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. It might have been close.

3.5

1

Length ball on off, Balbirnie guides it to the point region for a single.

3.4

4

FOUR! Lovely shot from Balbirnie! Good length ball outside off, Balbirnie plays the lofted extra cover drive to the extra cover region for a boundary.

3.3

1

Good length ball on the pads, Stirling flicks it to short fine leg for a single.

3.2

1

Balbirnie is underway! Full on off, Balbirnie drives it to mid off and takes a single.

3.1

.

Just short! Good length ball on off, Balbirnie looks to drive but it goes uppishly. Luckily for him, it lands safely in front of the cover fielder.

Andy Balbirnie is the next man in.

2.6

W

OUT! CAUGHT! HUGE WICKET FOR AFGHANISTAN! Tossed up delivery on off, O'Brien looks to loft it over mid off but mistimes it. It goes towards Karim Janat who runs and takes a good catch at long off. Big wicket as O'Brien was going all guns blazing.

2.5

6

FOUR! Another slog and another boundary. This is tossed up around leg and once again O'Brien sweeps it through fine leg for a boundary.

2.4

4

FOUR! That is swept nicely. Floated and on middle, O'Brien sweeps it through backward square leg for a boundary.

2.3

6

SIX! This time he connects and it is floated and on middle, O'Brien lofts it over the long off fence for a biggie.

2.2

.

Play and a miss! Floated and on off, Kevin looks to slog it but mises it as the ball sneaks between the bat and the pad and also the keeper fails to collect it.

2.1

.

Huge appeal but turned down. It is floated on off, O'Brien looks to slog it but misses it to get rapped on the pads. There is an appeal made for LBW but nothing from the umpire.

1.6

.

Length ball outside off, punched towards covers once again.

1.5

4

FOUR! Clean hit. Slower ball on off, Stirling gets to the pitch of the ball and lofts it over the covers and into the fence.

1.4

.

Full and on off, punched straight to the man at covers.

1.3

.

Full and around off, Stirling improvises as he looks to play the slog. The ball raps him on the pads and there is an appeal only for the umpire to shake his head.

1.2

1

Full delivery on off, O'Brien drives it towards covers for a single.

1.1

.

BEATEN! Short delivery outside off, O'Brien looks to pull but misses it.

Shapoor Zadran to bowl from the other end.

0.6

4

FOUR! That is lofted over. Floated and on off, Stirling lofts it cleanly over mid off and the ball bounces a couple of times inside the ropes before going over the fence. 8 runs from the first over.

0.5

1

Flatter and around off, Kevin punches the ball off the back foot towards long off for a single.

0.4

1

Floated and on middle, Stirling gets an inside edge on it and the ball goes towards fine leg. A single taken.

0.3

1

In the air...but safe! Flighted ball on middle, O'Brien looks to go over long on but does not time it well. It lands safely in front of the fielder. A single taken.

0.2

.

Floated and on middle, tucked towards mid-wicket.

0.1

1

Floated on leg, Stirling tucks it towards wide long on for a single. The batters look for the second but the fielder comes across and sends in a good throw at the bowler's end, making the batters decide against the second. STIRLING AND IRELAND ARE OFF THE MARK!

We are back for the chase. The Afghanistan players are out in the middle. Kevin O'Brien and Paul Stirling will open the innings for Ireland. Mujeeb Ur Rahman will start the proceedings for Afghanistan.

So, the target for Ireland is 185 in their 20 overs. They would need their batters to come good here and take this series to the decider. Stay tuned for the chase on the other side of the break.

Talking of the Irish bowling, they started well with the ball but once the batters had their eyes in, the ball was flying over the fence regularly. Overall the bowling was good at the start but fizzled out in the last ten overs and the Irish bowled in the right areas too. But credit goes to the Afghanistan batters as there was nothing much the Irish could do with the ball. They would also rue that their fielding was below par. They would now hope that their batters show some spirited effort and take them over the line.

Afghanistan live upto their skipper's word as he had said at the toss that they will look to put up a score on the board during the toss. The Afghan batters started slowly and steadily but soon picked up pace as the duo of Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz stitched a 57-run stand. Though Gurbaz's stay was cut short due to a well-effected run out but skipper Asghar Afghan and Mohammad Nabi joined forces and runs started to flow like a river flowing at its full glory. Both the experienced campaigners were involved in a 74-run stand which took the game away from the Irish bowlers. Afghan too departed well one short of his half ton but by then he had taken his side over to a above par total.

19.6

6

SIX! Yes, he can! What a finish from the Afghanistan batters. Full delivery on middle, Naib lofts it over long on for a biggie. 26 from the last over. AFGHANISTAN FINISH WITH 184/4!

19.5

6

SIX! Brilliant! This is turning out to be a big, big over for Afghanistan. Short delivery on middle, Naib pulls it over mid-wicket for a maximum. Can he finish with another maximum?

19.4

1

Short delivery on middle, Najibullah pulls it over mid-wicket for a run.

19.3

6

SIX! This is even better! Full delivery on middle, Zadran lofts it over long on for a biggie.

19.2

6

SIX! That is huge! Length delivery on off, Najibullah lofts it over the bowler's head for a maximum.

19.1

1lb

Short delivery on middle, Naib looks to pull but misses it and gets hit on the thigh pad. It goes towards the off side. The batsmen take a single. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.

18.6

.

Short and on middle, Zadran goes for the pull but can only manage to connect with thin air.

18.5

1

Full and on off, Naib drives it to mid on for a single.

Gulbadin Naib is the new batsman in.

18.4

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Afghan misses out on a well-deserved half ton. It is bowled full and around off, Afghan lofts it over mid on but he fails to get the elevation as the ball goes towards long on where Harry Tector takes a well judged catch right inside the ropes.

18.3

1

Short and down the leg side, Zadran plays it towards the leg side for a single.

18.2

.

Full and outside off, Zadran looks to squeeze it out only to get beaten on the outside edge.

18.1

1lb

Full and on the leg stump, Afghan misses the flick. The ball goes off the pads towards square leg. A single.

17.6

1lb

On a good length on leg, Afghan looks to flick but gets hit on the thigh pad. It goes towards the leg side. The batsmen take a single. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.

17.5

1

Full delivery on off, Zadran drives it through mid off for a run.

17.4

.

Good length delivery outside off, Zadran looks to go after it but misses it.

17.3

1

Short delivery on middle, Afghan pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.

17.2

1

On a length on middle, Zadran flicks it through square leg for a run.

17.1

1

Short delivery on middle, Afghan pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.

Najibullah Zadran is the new man in. Also, there is a bowling change as Joshua Little comes back on. 2-0-13-0 so far from him.

16.6

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Nabi departs! Short delivery on middle, Nabi pulls it over square leg but does not get the timing on it. It goes towards the fielder where Dockrell takes a good catch in the deep. End of an excellent partnership between Nabi and Afghan.

16.5

2

On a length on middle, Nabi flicks it through square leg. The batsmen get two runs.

16.4

2

Short delivery on middle, Nabi pulls it over square leg but does not get the distance on it. It goes towards the fielder where he takes the catch but it will not matter as it was a Free Hit.

16.4

2nb

NO BALL! NOT OUT! Full delivery on off, Afghan looks to loft it over mid off but gets a top edge. It goes towards mid off where the Balbirnie takes the catch. The Irish players start celebrating but the on-field umpire go upstairs to check for a No Ball. The replays then roll in and show that Rankin has overstepped by a big margin. A Free Hit will follow.

The umpire has gone upstairs for a No Ball check as the catch has been taken cleanly. Let's see what the replays show. Ohh! That is a huge No Ball.

16.3

1

Full delivery on middle, Nabi flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

16.2

4

FOUR! Nicely played! On a length on middle, Nabi flicks it through square leg for a boundary.

16.1

2

Short ball on middle, Nabi pulls it to the deep mid-wicket region for a couple.

15.6

6

SIX! That is huge! Full delivery on middle, Afghan lofts it over long on for a maximum. 25 runs from the over. A highly productive one for Afghanistan.

15.5

4

FOUR! Afghan is on a carnage. Short ball outside off, Afghan opens the face of the bat and cuts it uppishly over the slip cordon to fetch a boundary at third man.

15.4

6

SIX! Floated and on off, Afghan lofts it handsomely over long on and clears the fence with ease.

15.3

4

FOUR! Misfield there. Poor from the Irish fielder. Afghan lofts it towards mid-wicket. The ball goes on the bounce towards the fielder but it goes between his legs for a boundary.

15.2

1

Short and on off, pulled to short mid-wicket for a single.

15.1

4lb

FOUR! LEG BYES! A loud appeal but to no avail. It is bowled full and outside off, Nabi looks to flick it but it goes of the bat and past the keeper and into the third man fence.

Craig Young is back on. 2-0-4-0 are his figures so far.

14.6

1

Floated and on the pads, Nabi tucks it towards square leg for a single.

14.5

1

Full and on middle, pushed towards long on for a run.

14.4

1

Floated and on the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket for a single.

14.3

6

SIX! Nabi is into his zone. It is floated and on middle, Mohammad pulls it with disdain over the deep mid-wicket fence for a single.

14.2

.

Full and on off, pushed back to the bowler.

14.1

1

Floated on off, pushed towards mid off.

13.6

1

Full toss on middle, Afghan lofts it over mid on. It goes towards the long on fielder who collects it on one bounce. The batsmen cross ends.

13.5

4

FOUR! This is even better! Short delivery on middle, Afghan pulls it towards the deep mid-wicket region to get the third boundary of the over.

13.4

4

FOUR! Good shot! Short of a length delivery, Afghan waits and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

13.3

6

SIX! Amazing shot! Short delivery on leg, Afghan pulls it over square leg for a maximum.

13.2

1

On a length on middle, Nabi flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.

13.1

1

Short delivery on middle, Afghan pulls it through square leg for a single.

Boyd Rankin is back on. 2-0-7-0. So far from him.

12.6

1

Short delivery on middle, Afghan pulls it through mid-wicket for a run.

12.5

1

Tossed up delivery on middle, Nabi drives it through mid on for a single.

12.4

.

Floated delivery on off, Nabi blocks it well.

12.3

4

FOUR! Hammered! Short delivery on middle, Nabi pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

12.2

1

Loopy delivery on middle, Afghan flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.

12.2

1wd

WIDE! Delany bowls it down the leg side, Afghan looks to flick but misses it.

12.1

1

Tossed up delivery on middle, Nabi flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Mohammad Nabi is the next batsman in.

11.6

W

OUT! RUN OUT! Gurbaz goes against the run of play. Big mix up there. Afghan is the culprit there. Rahmanullah was going so well there but a miscommunication from them and he has to take the long walk back. Young dishes a full paced yorker and Gurbaz digs it out towards the off side. Afghan calls for a single and Young who is in his followthrough hares towards the ball and looks to score a direct hit but then decides against it as he sees his skipper running towards the bowler's end from extra cover. He throws the ball to him and Balbirnie there whips the bails off. The umpire takes it upstairs and the replays show that even the full length dive from Gurbaz could not save him.

A run out check! It is referred upstairs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is the man in question. It seems out. Let's see what happens.

11.5

1

Full and on middle, slogged towards mid-wicket for a single.

11.4

.

Short ball on leg, Afghan looks to pull but he connects it with thin air.

11.3

1

Slower ball outside off, pushed to point for a single.

11.3

1wd

WIDE! Full and down the leg side, Gurbaz misses the pull but he fails to connect. Wided.

11.2

.

Short ball outside off, Gurbaz looks to pull but the ball goes underneath the bat and towards the keeper.

11.1

.

BEATEN! Full and outside off, Gurbaz looks to lay bat on ball but he fails to get anything behind it.

Craig Young is back on. 1-0-1-0 are his figures so far.

10.6

1

Full and on middle, Gurbaz pushes it to mid on for a single.

10.5

1

Tossed up on leg, Afghan flicks it to the leg side for a single.

10.4

.

Flatter and on off, cut straight to point where Paul Stirling fields it.

10.3

1

Floated and around off, pushed to covers for a single.

10.2

6

SIX! Beautiful swing of the bat. It is floated on off, Gurbaz pulls it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie as the fielder there is a mere spectator.

10.1

.

Tossed up delivery on off, Gurbaz comes down the track and drives it towards covers.

9.6

1

Full and on the pads, Gurbaz flicks it to the leg side for a single.

9.5

1

Once again, it is short and on the body, Afghan looks to pull but gets it off the inner half of the bat towards mid-wicket for a single.

9.4

1

Another short ball on middle, Gurbaz pulls it to mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

9.3

1

Short and in middle, pulled towards fine leg for a single.

9.2

1

Full and outside off, Gurbaz drives it through covers where the fielder cuts it off. Just a single.

9.1

1

On a length on middle, Afghan flicks it through square leg for a single.

Joshua Little is back on. 1-0-7-0 are his figures so far.

8.6

1

Loopy delivery on middle, Afghan flicks it through square leg for a single.

8.5

.

Flighted delivery on middle, Afghan defends it off the back foot.

Asghar Afghan is the new batsman in.

8.4

W

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Brilliant take by the bowler off his own bowling. Delany floats one on the pads of Zazai. Zazai at the last moment checks his shot as he looks to flick it. The ball flies off the blade and to the left of the bowler. Delany runs to that side and pulls out a stunner as he takes it just inches above the turf with his left hand. He had got off to a start but he needed to continue.

8.3

1

Full and on off, Gurbaz pushes it to long on for a single.

8.2

6

SIX! Floated and in the arc for Gurbaz. He just lofts it handsomely over long on for a big hit. It sailed into the crowd there.

8.1

.

Floated on off, pushed towards mid-wicket.

Gareth Delany is on now.

7.6

.

Good length delivery on off, Zazai keeps it out.

7.5

2lb

On a length on leg, Zazai looks to flick but gets it off the pads. It goes towards fine leg. The batsmen get two runs. The umpire gives it as a leg bye. 50 up for Afghanistan.

7.4

.

Full delivery on off, Zazai drives it towards mid off.

7.3

1lb

On a good length on middle, Gurbaz looks to flick but gets it off the pads. It goes towards the leg side. The batsmen cross ends. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.

7.2

.

Length delivery on off, Gurbaz plays it to point.

7.1

1

On a length on middle, Zazai flicks it through square leg for a single.

Craig Young is into the attack.

6.6

2

Floated on the pads, Gurbaz tucked it to the leg side for a couple.

6.5

1

Flatter and on off, Zazai punches it off the back foot through the off side for a single.

6.4

.

Floated and on off, Zazai pushes it to the off side.

6.4

1wd

WIDE! Full and wide outside off, Zazai looks to cut but misses it. Wided.

6.3

1

Full and on middle, pushed to mid on for a single.

6.2

1

Floated and on middle, Zazai looks to flick it to the leg side but gets an inside edge towards square leg for a single.

6.1

6

SIX! Floated on off, Zazai takes the aerial route as he lofts it over mid on and into the fence at long on for a maximum.

George Dockrell is on now.

5.6

1

Length delivery on middle, Zazai punches it towards mid on for a single. End of the Powerplay. Afghanistan are 34/0.

5.5

.

On a length on off, Zazai plays it to point.

5.4

.

Full delivery on middle, Zazai drives it towards mid on.

5.3

.

Full again on off, Zazai drives it to covers.

5.2

2

DROPPED! That can prove to be costly! Full delivery on off, Zazai looks to loft it over covers but gets a top edge. It goes towards the point fielder where he runs and tries to take the catch but spills it. The batsmen get two runs. Will Zazai make Ireland pay for this?

5.1

2

Short delivery on middle, Zazai pulls it through mid-wicket. The batsmen get two runs.

Boyd Rankin is back on. 1-0-2-0 so far from him.

4.6

1

Loopy delivery on middle, Zazai lofts it over mid-wicket for a single.

4.5

1

Tossed up delivery on middle, Gurbaz drives it through mid on for a run.

4.4

1lb

Flighted delivery on middle, Zazai looks to flick but gets hit on the pads. It goes towards third man. The batsmen take a single. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.

4.3

1

Full and on off, pushed towards long on for a single.

4.2

6

SIX! That is as clean as a whistle. Floated around off, Gurbaz stands and lofts it high and handsome over wide long on for a biggie.

4.1

1

Floated around off, Zazai drives it towards long on for a single.

3.6

1

On a length on middle, Zazai flicks it through square leg for a single.

3.5

4

FOUR! That is put away with disdain! Short delivery on middle, Zazai pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

3.4

.

FOUR! Hammered! Short delivery on middle, Zazai rocks on his back foot and then pulls it through square leg for a boundary.

3.3

.

Length delivery on middle, Zazai tucks it towards mid-wicket where Gurbaz wants the run but Zazai sends him back. The keeper picks up the ball and goes for a direct hit at the bowler's end but misses it.

3.2

2

On a length on middle, Zazai looks to flick it but gets it off the inside half of the bat. The ball goes towards deep square leg. The batsmen get two runs.

3.1

.

On a good length on off, Zazai plays it back towards the bowler.

Joshua Little is into the attack.

2.6

1

Tossed up delivery on middle, Zazai drives it through mid on for a run.

2.5

1

Full delivery on middle, Gurbaz drives it through mid on for a single.

2.4

2

Floated delivery on middle, Gurbaz flicks it through square leg. Joshua Little in the deep does well to stop it. The batsmen pick up a couple.

2.3

.

Loopy delivery on off, Gurbaz plays it to covers.

2.2

1

Floated and around middle, Zazai flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

2.1

.

Floated on off and middle, Zazai looks to tuck it to the leg side but get rapped on the pads. The bowler appeals but it is of no use.

Simi Singh is on.

1.6

1

Length delivery on off, Zazai plays it towards covers for a run.

1.5

1

On a length on middle, Gurbaz flicks it through square leg for a single.

1.4

.

Good length delivery on off, Gurbaz defends it off the front foot.

1.3

.

BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Gurbaz looks to defend but misses it.

1.2

.

Good length delivery on off, Gurbaz keeps it out.

1.1

1lb

On a good length on middle, Zazai looks to flick but gets hit on the thigh pad. It goes towards the leg side. The batsmen take a single. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.

0.6

.

Tossed up delivery on leg, Gurbaz looks to sweep but gets hit on the pads. The bowler appeals for lbw but the umpire shakes his head. Good start from Stirling. Only 3 from the first over.

0.5

1

Floated delivery on middle, Zazai flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.

0.4

.

Loopy delivery on middle, Zazai drives it towards mid on.

0.3

1

Full delivery on middle, Gurbaz drives it through mid on for a run.

0.2

1

Zazai and Afghanistan are underway!!! Floated delivery on middle, Zazai flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

0.1

.

Stirling starts with a tossed up delivery on off, Zazai defends it off the front foot.

We are all set to begin. The Ireland players are out in the middle. Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz follow them out to the middle. Paul Stirling will start for the visitors.

Ireland skipper, Andy Balbirnie says that they would have bowled first looking at the surface. He says that they did not play the strokes from the middle of the bat and would look to rectify it today.

Afghanistan skipper, Asghar Afghan says that they will bat first. He says that the wicket is good and they want to put up a score on board.

Pitch Report - Ajay Mehra is there for the pitch report. He says that the tinge of the grass is much more brownish and the track is very good to bat on. Adds that the captains will not hesitate to bat on this wicket.

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

Afghanistan (Unchanged 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.

TOSS - It is time for the spin of the coin. Afghanistan win the toss and elect to bat.

Hello and welcome to the 2nd T20I between Afghanistan and Ireland in Greater Noida. The Irish will be a shade disappointed after the outcome of the last match which was assisted by the rain gods. They did reasonably well in all the departments of the game but still ended on the wrong side of the result, mainly due to rain and also Najibullah Zadran's blitz with the bat. Today is a new day and there is very little to no chance of rain and hence they would be hopeful of winning this tie and take it to the decider. Afghanistan, on their part, would try to become more clinical with their performance and register a thumping win this time around to seal the series. Promises to be a close match. Stay tuned for the toss and the teams.

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2nd T20I, Greater Noida, March 08, 2020, 02:00 PM

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