Ireland vs Afghanistan AFG in IRE, 5 ODIs, 2026, Full Score Card

OUT! b Rashid Khan.

No run.

OUT! c Mohammad Saleem b Rashid Khan.

No run.

1 run.

1 run.

No run, just a mere push. But no space for a run.

No run, just a mere push. But no space for a run.

Short and outside off, Moondra cuts it to deep point for a single.

No run, that is punched off the back foot but straight to the fielder.

1 run.

OUT! b Rashid Khan.

No run.

No run.

2 runs.

No run.

DRINKS BREAK. We would like to apologize again for the lack of continuous flow in commentary. The broadast stream is facing some issues and everyone is trying their level best to sort it out. Appreciate your patience in adjusting and understanding. As far as this game is concerned, only a miracle can take Ireland past the finish line. Afghanistan are on track for a win and a major win at that. Rashid Khan finding his form back could not have come at a better time.

Full and outside off, Gavin Hoey drives it straight to cover. A WICKET MAIDEN for Farooqi! His bowling figures now read 6-1-29-1.

No run, a gentle push by the batter but cannot pierce the gap.

Gavin Hoey walks in next, at number 9, replacing Mark Adair.

OUT! STRAIGHT TO MID OFF! The run chase is disintegrating now. On a length, around off, angling away, Mark Adair looks to go over the top but does not connect it well at all. The ball hits the toe end of the bat and lobs towards mid off where Rahmat Shah makes no mistake. From 198/5, IRELAND ARE NOW 201/7! 99 more needed from 98 balls.

No run.

No run, played towards covers.

Full and straight, pushed towards mid on.

After 30 overs, Ireland  are 201/6. At the same stage, Afghanistan were 170/2. So the Irish are 31 runs ahead but have lost 4 extra wickets. Fazalhaq Farooqi is back on. 5-0-29-0 so far.

1 run, that is just a mere push for a run.

2 runs.

No run, just a mere push. But no space for a run.

OUT! Dragged on! The batter has played that onto the stumps.

No run.

No run.

5 Wides!

Apologies once again, as we have lost the feed. Trying to get it back as soon as possible.

1 run, this is worked away for a run.

More chats with the bowler. Almost after every ball, Rahmat Shah has been in his ear. Now, Hashmatullah Shahidi has a word, and even Rashid Khan comes up woth some tips.

FOUR! Make that a hat-trick of boundaries! Mohammad Saleem's day keeps getting worse. He lands this short again, on middle. Ben Calitz expects that length and moves across to get inside the line of it before hooking it to the deep backward square leg fence for four more runs.

FOUR MORE! Nothing streaky about this one. On a length, around off, Ben Calitz backs away, then gets in line and punches it to the right of point for consecutive boundaries!

FOUR! Streaky but they all count! Good length and just around off, Ben Calitz looks to play away from his body but gets an outside edge. It races to the deep third fence and beats Fazalhaq Farooqi to his right for a boundary.

Outside off, worked through mid-wicket for a single.

Back of a length and around off, Ben Calitz punches it through covers for a single.

On a length, around middle and leg, Calitz tucks it through mid-wicket for a single. 16 from the over, 26 in the last 2!

SIX! Makes full use of the Free Hit! Short of a length and on middle, but not short enough to trouble the batter. Ben Calitz clears his front leg away and whacks it over the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen more.

No ball.

On a good length, outside off, Campher defends it towards cover.

SIX! Goes all the way! Azmatullah Omarzai bangs this into the pitch, around middle. Curtis Campher goes for the pull shot but gets rushed on it. The ball takes the top edge and flies over the keeper's head for a biggie.

On a length, outside off, Curtis Campher guides it towards backward point.

1 run, that is just a mere push for a run.

Short, outside off, Ben Calitz punches it through point for a single, to make it a 10-run over.

FOUR! Second of the over! Mohammad Saleem hits the deck hard and just around off. Ben Calitz opens the bat face and uses the pace of the ball to steer it past point. He timed it so well that it races away to the fence for a boundary. Ireland need 139 runs in 121 balls.

Ooohh... if the fielder has picked that up... Full, on middle, Campher pushed it straight to mid on and called for the run. The fielder came chaging in, but at the point of picking the ball, looked up at the batters and fumbled the ball.

FOUR! Cut away! Short of a length and outside off. Curtis Campher gets the chance to free his arms and crunches it past the diving point fielder for a boundary.

Dropped short, outside off, Campher pulls it straight to mid-wicket.

Fuller and on off, Curtis Campher drives it to mid off.

On a length, around middle and off, Ben Calitz defends it down the pitch. 7 runs from the over, but a wicket as well. 6-1-26-2 are the bowling figures of Azmatullah Omarzai.

Ireland are self imploding now. 2 wickets in 10 balls. Ben Calitz, on ODI debut, walks in next, at number 7, replacing the set Cade Carmichael.

OUT! CAUGHT! Azmatullah Omarzai gets the set batter and Ireland are in big trouble now. He bangs this into the pitch, outside off. Cade Carmichael backs a bit too far away and slashes his bat at it, trying to reach out. He cannot handle the bounce and gets a top edge that flies towards deep third. AM Ghazanfar moves to his left and takes a fine running catch. It almost popped out but he managed to hold on to it. It's the end of Carmichael's fine knock, and Ireland lose half their side now.

1 run, played towards mid on.

Four! Played towards covers.

Oopss.. there are some broadcast issues from the stadium. Please bear with us.

Full, outside off, Curtis Campher drives this towards mid off.

Short of a length and outside off, Curtis Campher cuts it wide of point, but the fielder dives to his right to get a good hand on it. It still rolls behind, but Fazalhaq Farooqi in the deep runs to his left to cut it out. Two taken.

Comparison. After 25 overs, Ireland are 145/4. At the same stage, Afghanistan were 156/2.

On a length, outside off, Carmichael opens the face of his bat and guides it towards point.

Full and outside off, Cade Carmichael leans and drives it straight to cover.

Short, outside off, cut through point for a single.

Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

Curtis Campher walks in next, at number 6, replacing Lorcan Tucker.

OUT! MASSIVE SHOUT FOR LBW, NOT GIVEN, BUT TUCKER IS RUN OUT! You can either call it unlucky for the batter or exceptional alertness from the fielder. On a length, around off, angling down, Lorcan Tucker looks to flick it away but misses and is hit on the pads. Saleem roars an LBW appeal but the umpire moves away. Now, here comes the drama. Tucker does not know where the ball is and is wandering out of his crease. And the next thing he knows, the stumps are hit by a throw at his end and he has to walk back! Actually, the ball went off his pads towards point and Sediqullah Atal fielded and fired a direct hit at the striker's end. What a lucky break for Afghanistan. The 38-run stand is broken and IRELAND ARE 144/4 CHASING 300!

A short ball, outside off, Cade Carmichael pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Outside off, worked through mid-wicket for one.

NEARLY STRAIGHT TO THE MAN! Short and wide outside off, Tucker slashes hard and almost hits it straight down the throat of Fazalhaq Farooqi at deep cover. The ball lands just in front. A single taken.

More steep bounce. Short, outside off, Carmichael is taken aback by the extra bounce but manages to fend it awkwardly behind point, for one.

Just short of good, outside off, steep bounce, Lorcan Tucker rises with the bounce and dabs it to the off side for a run.

On a length again, outside off, Cade Carmichael eases this through the covers for a single.

On a length, around off, defended from the crease.

Much much better over from Saleem this time. He looks a lot more comfortable from this end. Good news for Afghanistan as AZMATULLAH OMARZAI IS BACK ON THE FIELD AND READY TO BOWL TOO. Since it was an external injury, he does not have to wait for the time he spent off the field. 4-1-14-1 so far.

FOUR! Spoils a relatively good over. Banged in short, outside off, Lorcan Tucker picks the length in a trice and pulls it, albeit without much timing, to the mid-wicket fence. The stand moves to 32 (36).

Fuller, around off, Cade Carmichael works it towards mid on for a quick single.

Fuller, outside off, CC leans and drives it through cover-point but cannot get it through! Fourth dot ball on the trot.

On a good length, outside off, Cade defends it solidly.

On a length, outside off, Carmichael pushes it towards cover and Tucker charges through for the single but is stopped just in time by the striker. The fielder was charging in as well.

Full and outside off, Cade Carmichael drives it down the ground but the bowler gets down low to his left in his followthrough and stops the ball.

That's 17 off the last 2 overs without much risk. And that's forced a bowling change. Mohammad Saleem is back on. 3-0-34-0 so far. This time, he comes on from the end from where Rashid was bowling. The previous time he bowled from Ghazanfar's end and was taken a tour around the park for 21 runs in 1 over.

Around off, pushed through mid on for another single.

A long hop, outside off, LT cuts it through point for one.

Fuller, outside off, Cade Carmichael lunges and works it towards short fine leg for a run. 169 more needed from 152 balls.

Shorter, outside off, Lorcan cuts it through point for a single.

FOUR! PLUNDERED! A rare loose ball, a full toss, around middle, Tucker swings it wide of long on, to his right, getting the second boundary in the last 4 balls.

Full and around off, Lorcan Tucker defends.

Short, outside off, Lorcan goes back and cuts it through point for one more. A bit of a breathing space for Ireland from that over, earning 9 runs.

FOUR! A BOUNDARY AFTER 40 BALLS! On middle, Lorcan Tucker drills it straight back down the ground, past the bowler, to his right, beating long off to his right. 176 more needed from 157 balls.

Dropped short, around off, Carmichael rocks back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for another single.

Full and down the leg side, Tucker clips it to deep mid-wicket for one.

On middle and off, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.

Full, outside off, driven through the covers for a single.

Drastic change of events. Overs 11-20 - Afg - 61/0 | Ire - 59/2. But in the last 6 overs, Ireland have managed only 20/2.

Full, outside off, Lorcan Tucker drills it towards long off for a run.

Short, outside off, CC punches it through point for a single.

A touch short, around off, punched towards long on, but this time Kharote comes in quickly and stops the ball to his left.

On middle and off, this time Cade does get the single, working the ball through mid-wicket. In fact, he will get more, as the fielder fumbles, the substitute, Nangeyalia Kharote, on for Azmatullah Omarzai. The ball goes behind and by the time he retrieves it, the batters return for the second.

Mixup between the batters. Carmichael works it to the right of mid-wicket and sets off for what should have been a comfortable single but Tucker is not sure and sends him back.

Full, outside off, Cade Carmichael lunges and pushes it towards cover.

Outside off, punched straight to cover.

Outside off, a quicker leggie, LT looks to cut but misses.

MAIDEN ODI 50 FOR CARMICHAEL! Has not been convincing against spin, but he becomes extremely important in this run chase now. A reasonably quick 50, in just 44 balls. Gets there with a punch through mid on for a run.

Down the leg side, Lorcan goes back and nudges it through square leg for a single. 189 more needed from 171 balls.

The googly, around off, Tucker works it towards mid-wicket.

Landed outside off, Lorcan Tucker pushes it towards cover.

Problems. More and more people walking in front of the sightscreen, holding up play.

Stays on 49. The quicker ball, on middle, skids through, Cade gets across to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. Possibly spinning down the leg side.

Carmichael on 49...

Nicely done. The carrom ball, outside off, Lorcan picks it, lunges and pushes it towards cover for another single.

Fuller, on middle, Carmichael eases this down to long on for one, to move to 49.

Short, outside off, Tucker goes back and cuts it through point to get off the mark with a run.

Fuller, outside off, Lorcan Tucker lunges to block it to the off side.

Short, outside off, Cade Carmichael goes back and punches it down to long on for a single.

The game is turning big time. Lorcan Tucker walks in next, at number 5, replacing Harry Tector.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! The magician strikes again. Rashid Khan tosses up the leg break, full and on off, and gets it to grip and turn away just enough. Harry Tector is drawn forward into his defensive stroke but only manages to get a thin outside edge behind. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the keeper, reacts sharply, fumbles once but grabs it on the second attempt. Ireland are 106/3, still needing 194 runs in 180 balls.

Outside off, CC flicks it through mid-wicket for one.

Fuller, around off, Harry Tector pushes it through point for a run.

Full and straight, Cade comes forward and drives it towards long on for a single.

Quicker ball, short in length, the googly, outside off, Carmichael looks to cut but misses.

Landed outside off, Cade Carmichael defends it to the off side.

Full and outside off, driven straight back to the stumps at the other end. No appeal for a run out as Ghazanfar did not get any hand on that.

Landed outside off, spinning in, Tector looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge to short fine leg.

Dropped short, outside off, Harry punches it in front of point for a couple.

A touch short, outside off, Tector punches it towards short cover.

Outside off, Harry Tector pushes it back to the bowler.

Full, around off, Cade Carmichael flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. 199 more needed from 191 balls.

AM Ghazanfar returns. From the same end from where he started. 1-0-5-0 so far.

Outside off, worked through the leg side for one more. 100 UP FOR IRELAND. A wicket and 4 runs from the over, Rashid's bowling figures read 2-0-9-1 so far.

Overpitched, outside off, driven through mid off for one.

Outside off, punched to the right of the bowler who dives to make a wonderful stop.

Short, around off, punched down to long on for a run.

On middle and off, worked through mid-wicket for a single.

DRINKS BREAK. What a bizarre passage of 3 overs. Spin was starting to choke the batters, then suddenly pace came back on and released the pressure, before spin eventually struck. The home side seems to be comfortable against pace but is just not able to pick either of Rashid or Ghazanfar. And one feels, that the match lies just there. If the spin twins are seen off, the Irish will back themselves to chase even 100 off the last 10 overs. Harry Tector walks in next, at number 4, replacing Andy Balbirnie.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! King Khan strikes. It is a short ball, but a quick one and a leg break at that, Andy Balbirnie probably did not pick it because his feet did not move. He tried a flat-footed punch and only succeeded in getting a thick outside edge to the keeper, Rahmanullah Gurbaz. A dramatic period of 3 overs at last results in a wicket for Afghanistan. The 72-run stand is broken and IRELAND ARE 96/2, CHASING 300.

FOUR! 21 FROM THE OVER! Wow. All the pressure built over the last couple of overs has been washed away. One more short ball, outside off, Cade Carmichael expects that length, gets into position early and pulls it all along the ground to the mid-wicket fence!

On a length, outside off, Cade pushes it towards point.

SIX MORE! Carmichael is loving this after the stern examination against spin. Another short ball, outside off, again Cade Carmichael picks the length and hooks it over the backward square leg fence! 208 more needed from 200 balls.

SIX! POWERFUL! Saleem is struggling with something here. Not an injury, but something in his runup or something else. He is just not able to get any rhythm. A short ball, outside off, Carmichael gets into position quickly and this time, controls the pull, sending the ball high over the square leg fence! 214 more needed from 201 balls.

WIDE. A wayward bouncer, well outside off, let through.

FOUR! JUST OUT OF REACH! A short ball, outside off, Cade Carmichael goes for the pull but cannot control his shot. It flies uppishly towards mid-wicket where the fielder dives to his left but the ball escapes through, to the fence behind.

Reload. Saleem comes running in but loses his runup at the time of delivering the ball and bails out.

On a length, around off, pushed to the leg side.

Change of ends? For one of the spinners, it looks like. Because Mohammad Saleem has been brought back into the attack. After what happened in the previous two overs, don't think we will see pacers for some time now. 2-0-13-0 so far.

Brilliant running. Andy Balbirnie goes back and knocks it into the leg side with soft hands and charges back for the second. Rashid kicks the turf in frustration. 50-RUN STAND IS UP, IN 48 BALLS!

Outside off, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

Another LBW appeal. Turned down again. The googly, outside off, fuller in length, Carmichael lunged to flick but missed and was hit on the pads. Maybe, spinning down the leg side.

A small break in play. It seems like Rashid has passed a comment on the previous LBW decision and the umpires are certainly not pleased. They have a chat and then raise it to Rahmat Shah. At the end of the day, we need to respect the umpire's decision.

Massive shout for LBW! Almost like a celebrappeal. But the umpire is firm and shakes his head. Rashid and Gurbaz share a smile. They feel it was close. Full, outside off, Cade Carmichael got a long way outside the line of the stumps and looked to defend but missed and was hit on the pads. From the replay, it seemed as if the impact was outside off. But the bowler is certainly not happy with the decision.

Fuller, around off, Andy Balbirnie pushes this through mid on for a run.

Short, outside off, Cade Carmichael rocks back and punches it towards long off for a single. 229 more needed from 209 balls.

Interesting first over of spin. Balbirnie was okay but Carmichael seemed to be picking the ball off the pitch. Here comes a tougher test in Rashid Khan.

Ooohhh... full and around off, seemed like the carrom ball, Cade came forward to flick but the ball landed and straightened, taking the leading edge. The ball went towards point and while Balbirnie called for the single, Carmichael was a bit slow to react. Eventually he ran across but a direct hit at the bowler's end would have got him.

Fuller, outside off, Andy drives it through the covers for a run.

Short of full, outside off, Balbirnie pushes it towards cover.

Full and wide outside off, Andy Balbirnie reaches out and steers it behind point for a couple.

Full, around off, Carmicheal leans and works it through mid-wicket for a single.

AN LBW APPEAL FIRST UP! Not given. That was very close. Ghazanfar starts off on a length, just outside off, Cade Carmichael looks to work it off the pitch to the leg side but misses as the ball comes back in and hits the pads. The replays make it seem even more closer and maybe, the umpire denied it on height.

Right. The spin challenge begins for Ireland. AM Ghazanfar to bowl now.

FOUR! MURDERED! Saleem decides to test Balbirnie with the short stuff again but this time, Balbirnie is ready. Picks the length early, gets on top of the bounce and pulls it to the mid-wicket fence.

A good, sharp bouncer, around middle, Andy Balbirnie initially thinks about hooking but then bails out.

On a length, at the stumps, AB defends it towards mid-wicket.

Full and straight, Andy pushes it towards mid on.

On a length, tighter to the off stump, Balbirnie defends.

FOUR LEG BYES! Err in line, on a length, down the leg side, Andy Balbirnie misses his tuck but the ball clips his pads on its way to the fine leg fence. 239 more needed from 221 balls.

Nearly neck-and-neck in Powerplay 1. Ireland's 57/1 plays Afghanistan's 65/1. POWERPLAY 2 time. 4 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the 38th over.

FOUR! Two in two! Fazalhaq Farooqi goes fuller and way outside off. Cade Carmichael extends his arms to reach out for it and drills it through covers for four more runs.

FOUR! Put away! Short of a length and on middle, sits up nicely for the batter. Cade Carmichael swivels, rolls his wrists and pulls it away to the deep square leg fence for a boundary. 50 comes up for Ireland.

No run, the batter lets the ball go outside off stump.

No run, just a mere push. But no space for a run.

No run, a gentle push by the batter but cannot pierce the gap.

No run, the batter shoulders arms to let that one through.

No run, the batter has just watchfully blocked this out.

FOUR! Loose and punished! Short of a length but down the leg side, there to be put away. Andy Balbirnie clips it away through square leg to collect another boundary.

WIDE! A bouncer but way down the leg side, Andy Balbirnie ducks under it. Wided.

FOUR! Nicely done! Mohammad Saleem sticks to the fuller length but strays onto the pads of the batter. Andy Balbirnie brings his wrists into play and flicks it with superb timing through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Back of a length and angling in once more, Cade Carmichael makes no contact as the ball goes off his pads towards short fine. A leg bye is taken.

Good length and on middle, nips back in again, Cade Carmichael fails to work it away and gets hit high on the pads.

Appeal for LBW, but turned down! Fuller one and on middle, shaping in sharply. Cade Carmichael gets beaten by pace on his flick and gets hit on the pads. Probably just going down the leg side.

Looks like Azmatullah Omarzai has injured himself here. It is his left pinky finger and he is walking off with the physio to get some attention. That means a bowling change is necessary, and it will be Mohammad Saleem to replace him.

Just short! Fazalhaq Farooqi bangs this into the pitch, around off, and it takes off a bit. Cade Carmichael looks to pull it away but the ball gets big on him. He miscues it to the left of mid-wicket, where Azmatullah Omarzai dives but the ball just drops wide of him. They cross.

Almost dragged on! Just short of a length and around off, nips back in. Cade Carmichael looks to punch it away but gets a bottom edge. It just bounces over the stumps behind.

Hard length and around off, Cade Carmichael stabs it out towards short cover.

A bit fuller and on off, Cade Carmichael defends it on the front foot.

Back of a length and on off, Cade Carmichael gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.

FOUR! Just wide! Good length and angling down the leg side, Cade Carmichael tickles it but a bit too fine. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the keeper, dives to his left but the ball just evades his outstretched glove and races to the fence behind for a boundary.

Another dot! Short of a length and outside off, Andy Balbirnie lets it go.

Full again and on leg, Cade Carmichael glances it towards deep fine for a single.

FOUR! Gets it away! Fuller delivery and well outside off. Cade Carmichael goes chasing after it. The ball flies off the outside edge over backward point for a boundary.

Back of a length and on off, jags back in sharply. Cade Carmichael gets across to play at it but the ball zips past the inside edge and hits him on the midriff.

On a length and angling into the pads, Cade Carmichael clips it to short mid-wicket.

Good-length delivery, in the channel outside off, Cade Carmichael watches it through and leaves it alone.

WIDE. Omarzai errs in line and serves this full and down the leg side, Cade Carmichael fails to glance it away. Given as a wide.

FOUR! Finds the gap this time! Fuller in length again and around off. Andy Balbirnie leans on to his drive nicely and creams it through covers for a boundary.

Farooqi follows up the bouncer with a very full delivery, on off, Andy Balbirnie drives it firmly but straight to mid off.

The physio is in for the mandatory concussion check. Everything seems fine and we are good to go again.

A slower bumper, on middle, Andy Balbirnie goes through the pull early and misses. It goes off his right shoulder onto his helmet.

Short of a length and around off, Andy Balbirnie dabs it down to point.

Back of a length and on middle, Andy Balbirnie pats it towards short mid-wicket.

Beaten! Good length and around off, angling away, Andy Balbirnie has a poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Early blow to Ireland. Cade Carmichael walks out to bat at number 3.

OUT! TAKEN! Azmatullah Omarzai draws first blood and it is a WICKET MAIDEN. The pressure of the dot balls got to the Irish skipper here. This is on a nagging length, on middle, angling in a bit. Paul Stirling looks to force the flick but gets it from the toe end of the bat. He ends up chipping it towards mid-wicket, where Mohammad Saleem backtracks a bit and grabs it well above his head. Ireland are 24/1, chasing 300 runs.

Omazai hits the deck hard, on off, holds its line. Paul Stirling looks to play at it but takes his bottom hand off due to the extra bounce. It takes the shoulder of the bat and rolls towards point.

Back of a length and on off, Paul Stirling tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Hard length and around off, Paul Stirling looks to drive it on the up but gets an outside edge along the ground towards first slip. The fielder fumbles a bit but it does not cost anything.

Fuller and on middle, angling in, Paul Stirling looks to defend it with a straight bat but gets an inside edge towards short mid-wicket.

On a length and on off, Paul Stirling pushes it towards cover.

EDGED AND FOUR! Spoils the over a bit! Fazalhaq Farooqi goes fuller and around off, angling away. Andy Balbirnie throws his hands at it and gets an outside edge. It flies well wide of first slip and beats deep third to his left for a boundary.

Farooqi hits the deck hard, on middle, and shapes it back in, Andy Balbirnie gets hurried and stabs it out to the leg side. Five dots in a row!

A bouncer now, on middle and leg, Andy Balbirnie ducks under it.

Back of a length and around off, Andy Balbirnie looks to cut it away but this is too close to his body. He ends up chopping it off the bottom half of the bat towards short cover.

Landed short of a length and on middle and leg, jags back in sharply. Andy Balbirnie looks to play it from his crease but misses and gets hit high on his body.

Good-length delivery, on off, straightens a bit, Andy Balbirnie stays back and pats it down firmly towards short cover.

Nips back in from outside off again, AB looks to drive but gets it off the inner half of the bat through fine leg. A run taken.

Full and outside off, Andy drives it straight to cover.

On a good length, around middle and leg, Balbirnie tucks it straight to square leg.

On a length, outside off, left alone.

FOUR BYES! Bonus runs. On a good length, outside off, Andy Balbirnie stays back to defend but the ball seams back in a long way, stays a touch low and goes between bat and pad. Just goes above the off stump and the keeper. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, tries diving to his left to stop that. But he misses the ball and it races to the fence behind.

On a good length, around middle, Paul Stirling nudges it behind square leg for a single.

FOUR! Second boundary of the over. Short and wide outside off, Andy Balbirnie reaches out and punches it through cover-point. 286 more needed from 270 balls.

On a length, outside off, angling away, AB shoulders arms.

Farooqi shifts to over the wicket and bangs it short and down the leg side. Andy hops and nudges it towards mid-wicket.

FOUR! HANDSOME! Second bite of the apple. Similar ball to the previous one, full and outside off, this time Andy Balbirnie drives it to the right of cover and gets the gap and the boundary.

Full and wide outside off, Balbirnie leans and drives it straight to cover.

On a length, around off, Andy Balbirnie defends.

It will be Fazalhaq Farooqi from the other end, with the second new ball.

FOUR! The first boundary of the chase. Slightly short of a half volley, outside off, Paul Stirling comes half forward and just plays a half punch. But the pace on the ball takes it through the covers towards the ropes.

WIDE. Radar lost. Omarzai probably wants to go full and straight, for the inswinger, but drifts it way too down the leg side. The ball pitches and then moves even further. Paul lets it be and it is an excellent diving stop to his left by the keeper.

Similar line and length, this time Stirling pushes it towards point.

On a length, outside off, Paul Stirling punches it straight to cover.

A touch short, but a bit too straight. Balbirnie gets outside the line, hops and tucks it through mid-wicket for the first run of the chase.

On a good length, outside off, angling in, Andy Balbirnie pushes it towards cover.

On a good length, outside off, left alone.

And the Afghans fall just short of 300. On middle and leg, Shahidi works it straight to deep backward square leg and can only get a single. AFGHANISTAN END ON 299/8!

FOUR! Full, outside off, Hashmatullah Shahidi gets across and hammers it through the covers for a boundary!

Banged into the deck, following the batter, Hashmatullah Shahidi gets across and pulls but misses.

On middle, swung through mid on for a single.

EDGED, FOUR! On a length, outside off, extra bounce, Mohammad Saleem fends at it. The ball takes the outside edge but flies past the diving keeper, to his right, to the deep third fence!

Mohammad Saleem walks in next, at number 10, replacing AM Ghazanfar.

OUT! GHAZANFAR IS RUN OUT! Not sure whether we can blame Ghazanfar here. Given that this is the last over of the innings, one might have expected Shahidi to keep the strike. And one believes that Ghazanfar thought the same too. On a length, around off, Ghazanfar heaved it towards deep square leg. The ball went in the gap and deep backward square leg got to his left, dived and parried it wide of deep mid-wicket. That gave the room for the second and Shahidi wanted it. Ghazanfar was not at all for the idea and it came as a surprise for him. He took off late and by then, Harry Tector had returned the throw to the keeper who whipped the bails off. The run out was referred upstairs and the replay showed Ghazanfar well short. AFGHANISTAN ARE 289/8 AFTER 46.1 OVERS!

Run out? Looking by Shahidi's reactions, this might be gone. And it is a wicket. Of his partner.

FOUR! That last over spoils what would have been a brilliant bowling display for Adair. Short, outside off, Shahidi backs away and slaps it over point for the second boundary of the over. 14 from the over and Mark Adair finishes with bowling figures of 10-2-40-2!

Outside off, HS looks to go inside out but miscues it. The ball goes in the air but clears cover running back. Two runs taken.

FOUR! IMPERIOUS! Full and straight, Hashmatullah Shahidi hammers it straight back down the ground, this time beating long on to his right!

Good running, but not the best bit of cricket by the bowler. Full, on middle and leg, Hashmatullah digs it down to long on. He wants the second but Ghazanfar is very slow in turning back. The fielder gets to the ball and returns a decent throw to Mark Adair but he is standing way away from the stumps and takes a lot of time to take the bails off. Despite being way short at the throw time, Ghazanfar manages to scrape in.

On middle and leg, Shahidi wrists it through mid-wicket for a couple.

Excellent stop. Adair comes from around the wicket and bowls it full and around off. Hashmatullah Shahidi looks to flick but misses. The ball goes off the outside edge behind, dropping short of the keeper and going past, but he does well to get his left glove to stop the ball.

Dropped short, Hashmatullah pulls it over mid-wicket for a single. Just 10 runs in the last 2 overs.

Outside off, angling away, Shahidi backs away and punches it to the left of deep third and comes back for the second. The throw hits the stumps direct at the keeper's end and deflects away but both batters have overrun and do not take the overthrow. The umpire wants to check for the short run and the end in question is at the non-striker's end, when Shahidi turned blind for the second. But the replays show that Shahidi just about got his bat behind the crease and hence, the second run is given.

Full on middle and off, Ghazanfar works it through mid-wicket for one.

Another short ball, around off, steered towards deep third for a run. So he is not farming the strike yet.

Banged in short, down the leg side, Hashmatullah Shahidi crouches and the ball goes over. The ex skipper wants the wide call but does not get it, as he was standing outside the leg stump.

On a length, following the batter down the leg side, AM Ghazanfar tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

3 overs left. Will Shahidi farm the strike from here on? Byron McDonough returns. 7-0-41-0 so far.

Back of a length and on off, AM Ghazanfar dabs it towards point for one. Mark Adair's figures so far read 9-2-26-2.

A bouncer now, on middle, AM Ghazanfar sways away from it.

AM Ghazanfar walks in next, at number 9, replacing his former skipper, Rashid Khan.

OUT! IN THE AIR...GONE! Mark Adair makes a double strike and he gets rid of the dangerman now. He hits the deck hard and just around off, gets some steep bounce. Rashid Khan tries to heave it across the line but goes a bit too hard at it. The ball also gets big on him and takes the top edge. It flies over short third, where Byron McDonough runs backwards, keeps his eyes on the ball and takes a fine catch. 265/5 becomes 267/7 for Afghanistan.

Touch fuller and on middle, Rashid Khan tucks it through mid-wicket with soft hands and comes back for the second run.

On a length and on off, Rashid Khan pats it to short cover.

The skipper, Rashid Khan, walks in next, at number 8, replacing Darwish Rasooli.

OUT! TAKEN IN THE DEEP! Mark Adair has deserved this wicket for the way he has bowled in this game. He bangs this into the pitch, and takes pace off, on middle. Darwish Rasooli tries to pull it away but the ball just holds up on the surface a bit longer. He goes through the shot early and gets it more from the toe end of the bat. It flies straight to deep square leg, where Cade Carmichael does not have to move much and takes a good reverse cup catch. Rasooli cannot believe he has picked out the fielder but has to walk back. Afghanistan are 265/6 now.

Gone? Ireland are celebrating but Darwish Rasooli wants this checked. Did the fielder touch the ropes? Oh no, not at all. The first replay is crystal clear.

WIDE! Adair tries the wide yorker but spills this just over the tramline, outside off. Darwish Rasooli lets it go. Wided.

Fuller, around middle, eased through mid on for a couple. 12 from the over.

A good firing bouncer this time, Shahidi ducks.

SIX! Good shot, actually. Banged in short, from over the wicket, coming into the left-hander, Hashmatullah Shahidi is cramped for room but manages to rise with the bounce. Slashes hard and cuts it off the outside edge towards deep third. Deep backward point races to his right but the ball beats him. The ball lands very close to the ropes and the third umpire is summoned for a check. The angles are pretty inconclusive but in the end, the third umpire is convinced that the ball tipped past the ropes.

FOUR? OR SIX? Referred to the third umpire. The replays are pretty inconclusive. Given a maximum.

On middle and off, punched past the bowler for a run towards long off.

JUST OVER! Dug into the pitch, around off, Darwish Rasooli looks to slap it over the off side but does not hit it cleanly. The ball flies off the toe end and Mark Adair from mid off tracks it, running back. He leaps, stretching out his left hand, but the ball just about goes past. Adair does well to continue running and stop the ball, keeping the batters to a couple.

On a length, around off, angling in, Hashmatullah Shahidi pushes it towards cover for a quick single.

A quick and sharp bouncer, on middle, Darwish Rasooli lets it go to the keeper.

Lucky to get away with this one! This is on a good length but down the leg side, Hashmatullah Shahidi glances it straight to short fine for just one more.

Fuller and angling into the pads, Darwish Rasooli clips it to deep mid-wicket for one.

A wide yorker, outside off, Hashmatullah Shahidi squeezes it out to deep point for another run. 250 up for Afghanistan!

Short of a length and on middle, pace off again. Darwish Rasooli has a big swipe across the line but gets an inside edge through square leg. A run taken.

Slower one, full and on leg, Hashmatullah Shahidi tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Interesting. With 6 overs left, Mark Adair has been brought back. One thought he would have come from the other end. 7-2-17-0 so far.

Down the leg side, helped through mid-wicket for a single. A wicket and just 4 runs from the over.

Hashmatullah Shahidi walks in next, at number 7, replacing Azmatullah Omarzai.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Or, is he? Omarzai looks amused and has a word with the umpire on his way out. Almost a carbon copy of the second ball of this over. Omarzai shuffles across his stumps and then backs away to the leg side. But Moondra is focused and bowls it very full and wide outside off. The batter has to reach out to hit that and misses. Seemingly. The ball goes through to the keeper who appeals for the catch and the umpire raises his finger. The 43-run stand is broken and another batter does not convert his start. AFGHANISTAN ARE 246/5 AFTER 40.5 OVERS!

Banged in short now, around off, Rasooli goes for the pull but is done in by the bounce. Gets it high in the air but there is no one in the circle to catch it. By the time long on can get around, the ball plonks in the outfield and the batters take a single.

This one shoots up now. Moondra bends his back, landing the ball into the pitch, and generates extra bounce outside off. Omarzai is surprised but manages to adjust, pushing the ball towards point for a run.

Change in angle and pace. Moondra switches to around the wicket and bowls it very full and wide outside off. Azmatullah Omarzai looks to squeeze it through the off side but misses. The keeper collects and puts in half an appeal for the catch but neither the bowler nor the umpire is interested.

Full, outside off, Darwish Rasooli reaches out and drives it to sweeper cover for a single.

Jai Moondra is back on. 7-0-62-1 so far.

Landed outside off, AO pushes it towards cover. 12 from the over.

FOUR! Supreme timing! On a length, outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai just uses the pace of the ball and opens the face of the bat, guiding it through point. The ball simply races away, beating sweeper's dive to his left.

Where is the ball? It is definitely on the ground and the crowd is frantically trying to search for it. Well, seeing the delay, one of the two umpires himself goes to choose a ball from the box of replacement balls. Usually, the fourth umpire brings out the box, but on this occasion, it looked like self service.

SIX! HUMONGOUS! Stand and deliver this time. After moving early on the previous ball, this time Azmat stands his ground. Gets a length ball and smashes it, almost like a forehand smash, over long off!

Excellent ball. Omarzai backs away way too early and Campher bangs it in, wide outside off. The batter lets it go, thinking it will be wided but it is a legal ball.

Dropped short, around off, Darwish Rasooli pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run. The stand moves to 30 (23).

On a length, around off, Azmatullah Omarzai pushes it through point for a single.

We will have a bowling change from Gavin Hoey's end. Curtis Campher has been given the ball. 6-0-38-1 so far.

Low full toss, around off, DR can only push it back to the bowler. Just 4 runs from that over.

Tap and run. On a good length, around off, Omarzai pushes it towards point and sprints through for another single.

Full and straight, Darwish flicks it through mid-wicket for one.

A low full toss, down the leg side, Azmatullah Omarzai flicks it to deep square leg for a run.

On middle and leg, Rasooli clips it through mid-wicket for a single.

On a good length, around off, Darwish Rasooli punches it straight to cover.

POWERPLAY 3. 5 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the end. 162/3 in 28 overs of Powerplay 2. Byron McDonough returns. 6-0-37-0 so far.

SIX! HAMMERED! Just about spoils Hoey's bowling figures. A tad short, around off, Azmatullah Omarzai gives himself room to the leg side and powers it over long off for a biggie! 11 from the over and Gavin Hoey finishes with bowling figures of 10-0-54-1.

Short and outside off, spinning away, Darwish goes back and punches it down towards long off for one.

A flipper, very full, wide outside off, Omarzai reaches out and carves it over point for a run.

Dropped short, around off, spinning away, Azmatullah Omarzai punches it through mid on but short mid-wicket dives to his left and prevents the single.

Short, and around off, Rasooli goes back and cuts it towards short third for a single.

Tossed up, around middle, Darwish Rasooli swings it off the inner half of his bat over mid-wicket for a couple, by the time deep mid-wicket can get across to his left.

FOUR! GLORIOUS! On a length, around leg and middle, angling away, Azmatullah Omarzai comes forward and just caresses the punch through the covers for the second boundary of the over. 12 runs from it.

Good comeback. Another short delivery, but this is better directed. At the head of the batter, pitching around leg stump, angling away, Azmat sways away from the line.

WIDE. A wayward bouncer. Short, well above the batter's head and even down the leg side. Luckily, there is no concept called double wide.

Outside off, now Omarzai pushes this past the bowler, down the ground, through mid off for a brisk couple.

FOUR! Lovely shot. Fractionally short of a length, outside off, angling away, Azmatullah Omarzai stands tall and punches it through covers, sending the ball racing to the fence.

Similar ball, this time Rasooli connects with his punch, finding a single to deep point.

On a length, outside off, angling away, Darwish Rasooli pushes but misses.

On middle and leg, pushed to the leg side. A wicket and just 3 runs from the over, Gavin Hoey's bowling figures read 9-0-43-1.

Full and around off, Azmatullah Omarzai defends.

Tossed up, around middle and off, Darwish Rasooli stays leg side of the ball and drives it through the covers for a single to get off the mark.

Darwish Rasooli walks in next, at number 6, replacing his skipper, Rahmat Shah.

OUT! CAUGHT! Straight to the man once more. Full, around middle and off, Rahmat Shah gets down on a knee and looks to play the slog sweep. He connects well but is unable to find the gap. Andy Balbirnie is patiently waiting at the mid-wicket fence and takes it calmly. Quick wickets for Ireland as FROM 198/2, AFGHANISTAN ARE NOW 203/4!

Down the leg side, Rahmat Shah leans and clips it through square leg for a couple. Paul Stirling has actually appealed for a run out here. At both ends. The first angle shown is that of Rahmat, not dragging his bat at the keeper's end but well in. Now, the second angle is shown at the bowler's end, where Omarzai is equally lazy in dragging his bat, but still, he does drag his bat and gets it in by the time the bowler disturbs the bails. After numerous replays, finally, the third umpire presses the green light.

Tossed up, around middle, Rahmat Shah stays leg side of the ball and works it straight to short mid-wicket.

Spin is back. Gavin Hoey likely will bowl out here itself. 8-0-40-0 so far.

Falls short! Jai Moondra bowls this on a nagging length, around off, angling away again. Azmatullah Omarzai slashes at it and gets an outside edge but it does not carry to the keeper.

On a good length, around leg stump, angling away, with extra bounce, Omarzai rides the bounce and pushes the ball towards point.

Moondra hits the deck hard and on off, Rahmat Shah guides it towards deep third for a run.

On a good length, around middle, Rahmat Shah looks to defend but the ball pitches and whizzes past the outside edge.

Back of a length and around off, Azmatullah Omarzai reaches out and slaps it to sweeper cover for a single. 200 UP FOR AFGHANISTAN!

On a good length, outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai looks to cut but is beaten by the steep bounce.

Jai Moondra returns. 5-0-48-1 so far.

Hard length and on off, Azmatullah Omarzai punches it through covers for a run to get off the mark.

Azmatullah Omarzai walks in next, at number 5, replacing Ibrahim Zadran.

OUT! CAUGHT! Straight to the man this time! A wicket falls right after the break. Again, another wicket with nothing special about it. It was a length delivery, outside off and Ibrahim Zadran just looked to repeat his previous stroke, aiming to clear mid off. But this time, he ended up playing a bit early and hit it straight to Cade Carmichael at cover. Ibrahim misses out on a well-deserved century and another budding stand of 43 is broken. AFGHANISTAN ARE 198/3 AFTER 33.5 OVERS!

FOUR! Up and over! Curtis Campher bangs this into the pitch, on off. Ibrahim Zadran stands tall and flat-bats it over the bowler's head. Cade Carmichael from mid off runs back, dives in to push the ball back inside but fails to stop the boundary.

Good stop. On a length, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it on the up back down the ground but rhe bowler does well to stop it against his followthrough, to his right.

Back of a length and on off, Ibrahim Zadran stabs it out to short cover. Paul Stirling fumbles a bit but no harm done.

A touch short, outside off, Rahmat Shah cuts it through point for a single.

DRINKS BREAK. It does appear as if Afghanistan are looking for the knockout punch now. They played the phase between overs 21-30 very cautiously and slowly but seem to have decided to turn it on in the last 3 overs. 23 runs have come post over 30 and it also appears as if the skipper is looking to hog most of the strike. This partnership has faced 50 balls and Rahmat has faced 27 of those, but in the last 18, he has faced 11. Ireland might have slowed things down a touch, but without wickets, they will still be facing a massive total.

A bit fuller and on middle, angling in, Ibrahim Zadran uses his feet to play at it but gets an inside edge through backward square leg. Two runs taken.

On a length, just outside off, angling in, Ibrahim defends it back to the bowler.

WIDE. A bouncer, well above the head of the batter, left alone and wided.

Back of a length and on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran keeps it out to the leg side.

On a good length, around off, Zadran blocks it to the off side.

Dug into the surface, on middle, takes off a bit, Ibrahim Zadran stays back and pats it down the pitch.

On middle and off, Rahmat Shah clips it through mid-wicket for a single.

Slowly but surely, Rahmat Shah is growing in confidence. He has scored 18 runs in his last 10 balls.

Hard length and just around off, Rahmat Shah looks to punch it away but gets another outside edge. The ball races to the left of deep third but the fielder is quick to move to that side to cut it out. They cross.

FOUR! DUCK FOR COVER! On a length, around off, coming in with the angle, Rahmat Shah moves to the leg side slightly and hits this straight back. The ball goes straight towards the umpire who ducks in time to allow the ball to rocket to the fence behind.

Back of a length and on off, Ibrahim Zadran runs it down to deep third for another run.

On a length, outside off, Rahmat Shah stays leg side of the ball and punches it to the left of point for a run.

FOUR! A bit streaky! Short of a length and well outside off. Rahmat Shah flashes his blade hard at it. Gets an outside edge that flies to the deep third fence for a boundary.

A short ball to start a new spell. Pulled to deep square leg for a single.

Curtis Campher is back on. 4-0-20-0 so far.

Dug into the surface, outside off, Rahmat Shah stabs it on the bounce towards point.

FOUR! Second of the over. McDonough drifts down the leg side and Rahmat tickles it to the fine leg fence.

Just back of a length and on off, Rahmat Shah swats it but not from the middle of the bat towards mid-wicket.

FOUR! FETCH THAT! Easily his best shot so far. Banged in short, outside off, good bounce, but Rahmat Shah gets on top of the bounce and pulls it over mid-wicket for his first boundary.

Good length and on middle, Rahmat Shah gets on his toes and tucks it to short mid-wicket.

On a length, outside off, Rahmat Shah looks to punch this on the up through the off side, but misses.

The game seems to have slowed down a touch. 44/1 in the last 10 overs and only 14 in the last 5. Byron McDonough returns. 4-0-26-0 so far.

Full and around off, Ibrahim Zadran gets a long stride in to defend.

Landed around off, short of full, Rahmat goes back and punches it through the covers for another single.

Short and wide outside off, IZ reaches out and cuts it to sweeper cover for one.

WIDE. Down the leg side, Ibrahim cannot get it away.

Fuller, around off and middle, Rahmat Shah stays leg side of the ball and drives it inside out past cover for a run.

On middle and leg, Zadran drives this towards long on for a single.

Fuller, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it straight to cover.

On middle and off, on a good length, Rahmat works it towards mid-wicket. SECOND MAIDEN OF THE INNINGS, BOTH BY ADAIR!

SHORT OF THE BOWLER! All of a sudden, things are happening here. A short ball, outside off, Rahmat Shah goes for the pull but plays way too early. The ball goes off the toe end back to the bowler. Adair goes for the catch to his left, in his followthrough but the ball lands just in front.

BEATS THE OUTSIDE EDGE. Another absolute beauty. On a length, in the avenue of apprehension, just outside off, RS looks to defend but the ball just about holds its line after pitching and beats the outside edge.

Outside off, on a length, Shah punches it through the covers where it is stopped well.

EXTRA BOUNCE. On a good length, around off, Rahmat looks to defend from his crease but the ball suddenly shoots up, catching him by surprise. He ends up fending at it and the ball nearly flies off the outside edge, landing just short of backward point.

Fuller, on middle, Rahmat Shah drives this towards mid on.

A beauty to finish. Landed around off, Ibrahim looks to drive it through the off side but the ball pitches and spins away past the outside edge.

Another long hop, around off, Zadran goes back to pull but cue-ends it towards short mid-wicket.

Now, the length is dragged short. Outside off, Shah goes back and cuts it past cover, to his left, for one.

A full toss now, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it past the bowler, to his left, for a run towards long off.

Around off, pretty full, Rahmat drives it through the covers for a single.

LBW appeal, turned down. Beautifully bowled. Fuller, outside off, Rahmat Shah lunges to defend but misses and is hit on the pads. Maybe, doing too much.

Almost a carbon copy of Mark Adair's first over of his first spell. Only that was a maiden, while this had a single on the first ball. The lines and lengths were different but Adair kept it reasonably tight.

Another bouncer to end the over, around off, Ibrahim Zadran sways away from the line.

Fuller, outside off, IZ drives it straight to mid off.

On a good length, around off, Ibrahim defends it compactly.

A bouncer now, around off, Zadran allows it to go over.

Fuller, around off, hint of away shape, Ibrahim Zadran drives it solidly towards mid off.

On a good length, around off, Rahmat Shah works it through mid on for a single.

It won't be spin from both ends. Stirling keeps chopping and changing his bowlers. Mark Adair is back into the attack. 5-0-16-0 so far.

Outside off, Rahmat eases this towards Ben Calitz at deep point for a run.

The googly, tossed up outside off, spinning in, IZ drives it through mid off for a single.

Tossed up, around leg stump, Ibrahim gets a big stride forward to defend.

Fuller, around off, Zadran comes forward and works it straight to short mid-wicket.

Down the leg side, Ibrahim Zadran gets across and nudges it through fine leg for a couple.

Ohhh... what happened there? Short, outside off, spinning away, Rahmat Shah looks to cut but probably gets a bottom edge. The ball lands short of Paul Stirling at first slip who is late in getting down to his left and the ball goes through. A single taken and well, BYE signalled.

Gavin Hoey returns. 5-0-28-0 so far. The sun also makes a re-entry.

Quicker one, short again and around off, Rahmat Shah backs away and steers it past point for a run. He wants the second but Zadran sends him back.

Shorter in length, on off, Rahmat Shah stays back and fends it to the off side.

Skipper Rahmat Shah walks in next, at number 4, replacing Sediqullah Atal.

OUT! BOWLED! History repeats itself. Flashback, the 6th over bowled by Jai Moondra. The first ball went for a six, the second for a four, the third was a dot and the fourth resulted in a wicket. Full and straight, Sediqullah Atal looks to flick it away but somehow, misses the ball. There was nothing special about the delivery, but he just missed a straight one. The ball went past the pads and clipped the leg stump. Atal falls 5 short of a half century and the 116-run stand is broken. AFGHANISTAN ARE 155/2 AFTER 24.4 OVERS!

Flighted, full and around off, Ibrahim Zadran prods forward and taps it towards cover for a single.

FOUR! Full again, outside off, this time Zadran hammers it back past the bowler, down the ground. Mid off has no chance to his right.

SIX! FEROCIOUS! Tossed up, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran gets down on a knee and slog-sweeps it massively over deep mid-wicket! 150 COMES UP FOR AFGHANISTAN!

Hard length and around off, Sediqullah Atal stays back and punches it firmly, but cannot beat Andy Balbirnie at short cover.

Campher hits the deck hard, on middle, Ibrahim Zadran punches it down to long on for one.

Good effort in the deep! Back of a length and around off, Ibrahim Zadran opens the bat face and uses the pace to steer it towards deep third. Byron McDonough runs to his left and puts in an excellent dive to push the ball back inside. Two taken.

Slightly fuller in length and on off, Sediqullah Atal knocks it off the inner half of the bat towards mid on for a quick run.

Good-length delivery, on middle, Sediqullah Atal stays back and pushes it back to the bowler.

Short of a length and outside off, Ibrahim Zadran cuts it away hard but straight towards deep point for just a single.

Dragged back and around off, Ibrahim Zadran moves back and punches it through covers for one. That also brings up the 100-RUN STAND between these two batters in 104 balls.

Tector fires this one, full and on middle, Ibrahim tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Tossed up, full and on off, Sediqullah Atal gets a good stride out and drives it through covers for another run.

Quicker, short again and down the leg side, Ibrahim Zadran tickles it away to the right of short fine for a run.

Floated, shortish and just outside off, stays a bit low. Ibrahim Zadran looks to cut it away but misses.

Flatter, full and on leg, Sediqullah Atal flicks it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Bowler number 6. Harry Tector will bowl his offies now.

Gets away with it! Pitched up and down the leg side, Ibrahim Zadran glances it away but straight to short fine. A bit to either side and it would have been a boundary.

Short again and outside off, Ibrahim Zadran reaches out and slaps it towards sweeper cover for a brace.

Uppish but safe! Just short of a length and outside off, Sediqullah Atal punches it a bit aerially but wide of extra cover for a single.

Much better! Curtis Campher bowls this on a good length and on the fifth stump line, Sediqullah Atal keeps it out to the off side.

FOUR! On a length, outside off, Sediqullah Atal walks down the track and swings hard. Gets it off the bottom of the bat but clears cover and finds the fence.

Back of a length and on off, Sediqullah Atal does not have much room to work with and pats it back to the bowler.

Nicely bowled! Hoey slows it up, full and on off, turning it away just a shy bit. Ibrahim Zadran looks to push it away but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Floated, full and on off, Sediqullah Atal drives it down to long on for one.

Flatter, full and around off, Ibrahim Zadran drills it to sweeper cover for a single.

Appeal for LBW, but turned down! Flatter, full and around off, Ibrahim Zadran gets down and across for the sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads. The impact probably is outside off here.

Dropped a bit short, on off, Ibrahim Zadran pats it in front of short cover.

Tossed up, full and on off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes it wide of short cover. Harry Tector quickly moves to his right and makes a good diving stop.

65/1 in 10 overs of the fielding restrictions. 61/0 in 10 overs without the fielding restrictions. Afghanistan have laid down a really good platform for a big total.

On a length, around leg stump, angling away, Sediqullah Atal pushes it towards cover.

On middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran works it through mid-wicket for a run.

Full and straight, SA pushes it towards mid off and straightaway sets off the run, completing the single easily.

Tight line again, around off, on a length, Sediqullah looks to dab it to the off side but gets too close to the ball and ends up jabbing it back down the pitch instead.

The length is pulled back a touch, around middle and off, this time Atal punches it towards cover.

FOUR! GORGOEUS! Full, around off, coming in slightly, Sediqullah Atal comes forward and lofts it over cover for a boundary!

Consistent Ibrahim. This is Ibrahim Zadran's 10th half century in ODIs and 6 times previously, he has converted those 50s into a 100!

Good half stop. Outside off, Sediqullah Atal goes back and punches it through the covers where Cade Carmichael dives to his right and gets a hand on the ball, slowing the pace down, keeping the batters to a run.

50 UP FOR IBRAHIM ZADRAN! In just 52 balls. Gets there with a gentle push through mid off for a single.

FOUR! The strong wrists come into play again. Fuller, on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran comes forward and whips it through mid-wicket. The ball races to the fence.

A touch short, on middle and leg, Atal goes back and nurdles it through square leg for a run.

Outside off, punched through mid-wicket for a single.

A full toss, outside off, Sediqullah Atal decides to play a prematured paddle. Misses the ball totally and is hit on the pads, prompting an LBW appeal. But it is turned down as the impact was well outside off. The ball rolls past the keeper towards short third and the batters take a leg bye. Nelson nearly helped Ireland get a wicket there...

Not a bad start from Campher. Will McDonough also continue? Nope. Gavin Hoey gets a change of ends. 3-0-18-0 so far.

On a good length, just outside off, angling in, Ibrahim Zadran punches it towards mid off.

On a length, around off, IZ pushes it towards short mid-wicket.

On a length, around off, angling away, Sediqullah Atal waits for the ball to arrive and dabs it with the away angle towards deep third for a run. Nelson on the board. Hop, skip and jump, if you are a David Shepherd fan?

Back of a length, around off, extra bounce, but Ibrahim rides the bounce nicely and punches it towards long on for a single.

On a length, outside off, Zadran punches it towards cover.

Full and straight, Ibrahim Zadran flicks it straight to short mid-wicket.

Bowler number 5. Here's Curtis Campher.

A touch short, outside off, Ibrahim cuts it through point for a run. The stand moves to 70 (68).

On middle and off, defended to the leg side.

FOUR! FLAMBOYANT! Not a bad ball at all. On a length, outside off, but Ibrahim Zadran gets on top of the bounce and just place-punches this between cover and mid off. Both the fielders dive to their right and left respectively, but the ball threads through the tiny gap. Zadran moves to 42 (42).

On a good length, just around off, Ibrahim Zadran defends solidly again.

On middle and off, solidly defended.

Ooohhh.. NEARLY A WICKET AFTER THE BREAK! Full and wide outside off, Sediqullah Atal looks to drive but ends up slicing it. The ball goes off the outside edge and point dives to his right, but cannot quite get to the ball. The batters take a single towards deep point and Atal looks at the heavens, thanking his stars, but admonishing himself on the shot.

DRINKS BREAK. We stand corrected. The on-air commentators finally inform us about the bifurcation of the Powerplays - PP1 - Overs 1-10 | PP2 - Overs 11-38 | PP3 - Overs 39-47. This has been a really solid start from the visitors. There is nothing in the pitch and we have not even seen much swing either. If any, we have seen a bit of a drift for the leg spinner. Having said that, Ireland have not landed the ball in the right areas and have struggled with their lines and lengths, allowing the batters to score freely. With the pitch not giving anything, maybe cutters and change of pace could be the order of the day.

Outside off, fuller, pushed towards cover. 10 from the over.

Outside off, punched straight to mid on this time.

SIX! CREAMED! Tossed up, around middle and off, with mid on up, Zadran goes up and over mid on with a big slog over the fielder, clearing the ropes at long on too! 100 IS UP FOR AFGHANISTAN!

FOUR! A rank long hop, around middle and off. Ibrahim Zadran rocks back and pull-heaves it to the right of mid on. The fielder tries to track it down from mid-wicket, gives it a good chase but the ball wins the race. Zadran moves to 32 (36).

Fuller, around middle and off, Zadran gets right forward to defend.

Landed around middle and off, short of full, Ibrahim Zadran goes back and punches it back to the bowler.

Much fuller and on off, Sediqullah Atal blocks it down the pitch.

Hard length and around off, Ibrahim Zadran strides out and punches it through cover-point for one.

Short of a length and on off, gets some steep bounce. Ibrahim Zadran tries to ride the bounce but the ball hits the shoulder of the bat and rolls towards point.

OVERTHROWS! Messy. On a length, outside off, Sediqullah Atal punches it towards cover and takes a quick single. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but ends up going way too wide and the ball rockets towards deep mid-wicket. By the time a fielder can get to it, the batters take two extra runs, which means, a total of 3 runs on this delivery.

EDGED, DID IT CARRY? Only Paul Stirling can answer that. On a good length, around off, moving away, Zadran pokes at it but is squared up. The ball flies off the leading edge towards Stirling at gully, who dives to his right and ends up deflecting it towards deep third. Hard to see from the replay whether the ball carried or not. A single taken and the 50-RUN STAND IS UP, IN 52 BALLS!

FOUR! Shot of the day, as per one of the commentators on air. A leg stump half volley, on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran flicks it through mid-wicket and the ball simply races away. Deep square leg races to his left and dives, gets a hand to it, but can only parry the ball beyond the ropes.

Hoey goes short again, on middle, Ibrahim works it off the inner half of the bat to the right of mid-wicket for one.

A bit short and around off, Ibrahim Zadran moves back and stabs it to short cover.

Floated, full and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran flicks it away wide of short mid-wicket. Cade Carmichael dives to his left to make a fine stop.

On middle and leg, Sediqullah Atal helps it through square leg for a run.

Similar ball, this time Zadran meets his flick and gets a single towards square leg.

Tossed up, around leg stump, Ibrahim Zadran looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. There is an LBW appeal but it is turned down. Seemed to be pitching outside leg.

Back of a length and around off, takes off a bit. Ibrahim Zadran throws his hands at it but gets an outside edge along the ground towards deep third. A single taken.

Banged into the pitch, just outside off. Atal steps across and plays the short-arm jab towards deep mid-wicket for one.

Short of a length and on off, Sediqullah Atal stays back and dabs it down towards point.

On leg and middle, back of a length, Sediqullah Atal pushes it back to the bowler.

Excellent batting. After the boundary, Zadran calmly rotates the strike, by bunting the length ball towards point for a single. The stand moves to 40 (40).

FOUR! CRASH! A short ball, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran picks the length quickly, swivels and pulls it all along the ground, bisecting fine leg and deep mid-wicket.

So far, no demons seen on the pitch. Afghanistan would be reasonably happy with their start here.

Hoey drags his length back, on off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it down to long off for one more. Good start from Hoey!

Slower through the air, full and around off, Sediqullah Atal gets forward, opens the bat face and guides it towards point for one.

Flighted delivery, full and on off, Sediqullah Atal lunges out and knocks it to the right of the bowler.

Even better. More flight, tossed up full outside off, drifting in, Zadran lunges to defend but the ball goes off the inner half of the bat towards short fine leg. A single taken.

Just short of full this time. Generously looped up around middle and off. Sediqullah Atal goes back and gently nudges it through square leg for a run.

A short ball to start, around middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran goes back and whips it through mid-wicket for a single.

Double bowling change. Gavin Hoey comes on from the end of Moondra. First look at spin.

Good length and on middle, keeps a tad low, Sediqullah Atal blocks it out to the off side.

Back of a length and around off, Ibrahim Zadran cuts it away through backward point for one.

Play and a miss! Short of a length and just outside off, shapes away a bit with some bounce. Ibrahim Zadran slashes at it but fails to connect.

Better from the bowler. The line is outside off this time, on a length. Atal pushes it through point for one.

A bit too straight again, now Ibrahim Zadran works it towards fine leg for a run.

On middle and leg, Sediqullah Atal helps it towards fine leg for a single.

Finally, a bowling change. Debutant Byron McDonough gets the ball now. Powerplay 2 has been signalled as well. 4 fielders can be allowed outside the 30-yard circle.

Good running. On middle and leg, SA taps it towards mid-wicket and takes a quick single. 13 from the over and AFGHANISTAN END POWERPLAY 1 ON 65/1.

Second slip comes out to extra cover as a result of that shot. Andy Balbirnie it is.

SIX! CRACK! Banged in short, outside off, Sediqullah Atal swivels quickly and pulls it above deep square leg for a biggie!

Full, around off, Sediqullah pushes it towards the off side.

FOUR! Moondra strays in line, bowling it down the leg side and Sediqullah Atal helps it to the fine leg fence.

Outside off, Atal punches it through the covers for a couple.

Full, around middle and leg, coming in with the angle, Sediqullah Atal flicks it straight to short mid-wicket.

On a length, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran shoulders arms.

On a length, outside off, IZ looks to play straight but is early into the shot. The ball goes off the inner half of the bat towards mid on.

On middle and leg, Sediqullah Atal looks to tuck it to the leg side but misses. The ball goes towards square leg and Ibrahim calls him through for a quick single. The fielder comes charging in from short mid-wicket but misses his shy at the striker's end. Had he hit, Zadran was a goner. Leg bye signalled.

A touch short, down the leg side, Ibrahim helps it towards fine leg for a single. First run after 7 dots in succession.

EDGED, BUT SHORT AGAIN! That's the second time in this innings, both times off Adair. On a length, outside off, Zadran pokes at it away from his body and gets a healthy outside edge. But the ball lands just in front of first slip. Is the keeper standing a bit too far?

On a length, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran defends it solidly.

Adair will continue in his 5th over of this spell. He has some issues with the ball, which might have got wet by landing on a damp patch perhaps. The umpire helps him clean the ball and we are good to go.

Moondra goes straight this time and Sediqullah Atal is forced to put bat on ball now. Flicks it through mid-wicket where Byron McDonough does well with a dive to his right.

Cut, copy, paste. From ball 2 to ball 5. Effort from the bowler, no interest shown by the batter.

Wider outside off, short of full, SA is not interested in playing that either.

Fuller and closer to the off stump, outside off, Sediqullah lets it go again.

On a length, slightly wider outside off, Atal lets it go.

FOUR! 50 UP FOR AFGHANISTAN! Class personified. Half volley outside off, Sediqullah Atal leans and drives it through the covers. There is not much power on that but the timing takes the ball to the fence.

On middle and leg, Atal works it through square leg for a single to get off the mark.

A theatrical appeal for a catch from the bowler. Full and down the leg side, Sediqullah Atal looked to flick but to the naked eye itself, the bat seemed to come down well after the ball went past. The keeper dived to his right and did well to stop the ball but showed no interest in appealing. Adair was screaming his lungs out and the replay later on shows that maybe, the ball missed both, the bat and the pad. So maybe, Adair was screaming to distract the umpire from giving it a wide.

Fuller, outside off, driven to the left of mid off for a run.

On a length, outside off, Ibrahim shoulders arms.

FOUR! CLOUT! Adair goes short but it is not short enough to trouble a batter of Ibrahim's height. It comes around shoulder level and Zadran comfortably gets on top of the bounce quickly and pummels the pull along the ground through mid-wicket for a boundary. His first hit to the ropes.

On a good length, around off, Ibrahim Zadran defends.

On a length, outside off, Sediqullah Atal punches it towards point. 11 runs from the over, of which 10 came in the first 2. But eventually, Moondra has the last laugh with the big wicket of Gurbaz. 3-0-31-1 so far for the left-arm seamer.

WIDE. Down the leg side, Atal misses his flick.

Full, around off, pushed towards mid-wicket.

Sediqullah Atal walks in next, at number 3, replacing Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

OUT! CAUGHT! Struggling? Maybe. But the first wicket of the match goes to Ireland's new-found star. Overattacking costs Gurbaz here. Moondra, who has gone for 30 runs in his 16 deliveries so far, including two no balls, just got a bit of T20 mode into this ball. Rolled his fingers over the ball and took the pace off. Gurbaz looked to go after this one as well, swinging across the line but ended up playing a bit too early. As a result, he just got elevation and not the distance at all. The ball hovered around mid-wicket where Mark Adair took the catch comfortably, running across to his right. AFGHANISTAN ARE 39/1 AFTER 5.4 OVERS!

The length is held back a touch, outside off, angling away, Rahmanullah keeps his bat inside the line this time.

FOUR! 10 runs in 2 balls and the attack has begun. Full again, outside off, Gurbaz gets down a touch and swings it over mid on for a boundary. Moves to 32 (28).

SIX! CLUNK! Just a bit too full, around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz stands his ground, gets under the ball and swings it massively over long on for his second six! The stand moves to 35 (33).

Just short! Adair hits the deck hard and around off, shaping it away. Rahmanullah Gurbaz pushes at it with soft hands but gets a thin outside edge behind. Lorcan Tucker, the keeper, dives to his right but the ball just falls short of his right glove.

Sharp bowling! Mark Adair steams in and bangs in a quick bouncer on middle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz just about ducks under it.

On a length and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz taps it towards short cover.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Mark Adair bowls this on a good length but going down the leg side. Rahmanullah Gurbaz just has to get some bat on it and he tickles it nicely to the fine leg fence for four more runs.

Back of a length and around off, Ibrahim Zadran cuts it through backward point for a single.

Fuller delivery, on middle and leg, angling in. Ibrahim Zadran misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. A half-hearted appeal for LBW, but turned down. Clearly going down the leg side.

5K is here! After 55 years, we are witnessing the 5000th One-day International. Not this one. Scotland and Canada are currently involved in a match in Dundee, in the Men's Cricket World Cup League division 2. That is ODI match number 5000. The first ODI was played way back in 1971, between Australia and England at the iconic MCG. Have come a longggg way since then.

Moondra goes fuller again and on off, shaping in, Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks for the big booming drive but gets beaten on the inside edge.

Moondra lands this on a good length in the channel outside off, Gurbaz offers no shot at it.

FOUR! Makes full use of the Free Hit! Fuller in length and just outside off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz extends his arms to reach out for it and lofts it over covers for another boundary.

ANOTHER FREE HIT!

The intent is there from Rahmanullah Gurbaz, but not the execution. This is on a hard length and around off, shoots up off the deck. Gurbaz skips down the track and has a swipe across the line but misses. Uh..oh! Moondra has overstepped again. It is another No Ball.

WIDE! On a length but down the leg side, Rahmanullah Gurbaz misses his flick. Wided.

FOUR! Gets it away! Much fuller and on middle, swings in a bit. Rahmanullah Gurbaz backs away but loses his footing. He gets his hands through the shot and carves it just wide of the diving point fielder for a boundary.

Back of a length and around off, angling away, Rahmanullah Gurbaz leaves it alone.

Appeal for caught behind, but turned down! Jai Moondra goes fuller on length on leg, and shapes the ball in a touch. Rahmanullah Gurbaz comes down the track and tries to slog it away but misses, with his bat scuffing the ground. Lorcan Tucker grabs it behind the stumps. Moondra looks very interested but does not get much support from the keeper.

Pitched up again, on middle, angling in, Ibrahim Zadran drills it towards mid on.

Risky single! Fuller delivery, on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz knocks it towards mid on and takes off for the run. The fielder is quick to the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Gurbaz had to put in a dive but that would not have saved him if it was a direct hit.

Short of a length and just around off, shapes away a bit. Rahmanullah Gurbaz watches it through and offers no shot at it.

Landed on a hard length and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz dabs it towards point and sets off for the run. But he is sent back by Zadran, with Curtis Campher quickly getting to the ball.

WIDE! Mark Adair errs in line and lands this on a good length, outside off, shaping further away. Rahmanullah Gurbaz backs away early and lets it go. Called a wide.

On a length and around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz guides it away but fails to beat backward point.

Back of a length and on off, Ibrahim Zadran opens the bat face and runs it down to deep third for a single.

Moondra hits the deck hard, on middle and off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz uses his feet and stabs it out towards short cover. 10 runs off the over!

FOUR! Two in two! Slightly agricultural from the Afghan this time. Back of a length and around middle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz shovels it off the inside half of the bat as the ball races through square leg for another boundary.

FOUR! Nice shot! A bit too full and shaping into the pads as well. Rahmanullah Gurbaz brings his wrists into play and whips it over mid-wicket for the first boundary of the game.

A low full toss, on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz drills it hard down the pitch. Jai Moondra, in his followthrough sticks out his left hand to make the stop.

Hint of movement! Jai Moondra serves this full and around leg, swinging into the batter. Rahmanullah Gurbaz uses his feet to clip it away but yorks himself and misses.

Moondra gets away with it! Back of a length and on the pads, Ibrahim Zadran flicks it away through backward square leg for just a single.

FREE HIT TIME...

No Ball! Jai Moondra begins with a hard-length delivery, shaping down the leg side, Ibrahim Zadran fails to glance it away. The umpire signals a wide but later gets confirmation from the third umpire that Moondra has overstepped here. Free Hit up next.

A very impressive start by Mark Adair. Could not see much movement from that end, but the pace off the pitch looks pretty good. And here comes the star against India - Jai Moondra!

Mark Adair starts with a maiden over! A good-length delivery, on the sixth stump line, Rahmanullah Gurbaz steps across and keeps it out to the off side.

Dug into the surface, on off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz hops up and pats it in front of point. He wants the run but is sent back.

Four dots on the trot! Short of a length and just around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz stays back and steers it away towards backward point.

Mark Adair sees the batter back away and bashes the length hard, on middle, getting some extra bounce as well. Rahmanullah Gurbaz tries to cut it away but misses.

Goes much fuller this time, on middle and leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz knocks it towards mid on.

Mark Adair starts with a back-of-a-length delivery, on off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz rides the bounce and dabs it down to point.

Time for action, at last - The sun is out in full glory and we are ready for the game and series to begin, finally. The Irish get into a huddle and then disperse. Out walk the two Afghan openers - Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. It will be Mark Adair with the first new ball and Gurbaz to face. Here we go!

National anthems - The players and match officials line up for the national anthems of the two teams. It will be Afghanistan's first, followed by that of the home side.

PITCH REPORT - Former England and Irish international, ED JOYCE, is inspecting the deck. A family affair at the ceremony, with sister Isobel handling the toss duties. Ed says that despite the rain over the last couple of days, the deck looks pretty dry. Feels that there might be some turn due to some bare patches on the surface. Concludes by saying that there is not much grass and we could see some turn in the second innings.

Happy to bat first - That's the reaction of the captain of Afghanistan, RAHMAT SHAH. On a particular score, Rahmat says that he is not thinking about any specific number, and is just looking to get as many partnerships as possible. On his vision for his side as captain, Shah says that he just wants to give positive vibes to the players to play their natural game and give their best. On his team combination, the skipper informs that they are going in with 3 spinners and 3 fast bowlers.

First match in 18 months! That's the expression of the skipper of Ireland, PAUL STIRLING, when asked about how is the team taking the bitter fact of not being able to qualify directly for the 2027 ODI World Cup. He admits that there are some mixed emotions but asserts that the squad is looking for a fresh start. Is excited about three debutants coming in and not having played an ODI for 18 months (they last played in May 2025), the unit is eager to go out there and perform. On the toss decision, Stirling says that the pitch has been under the covers for quite a while and hence, is not sure which way it is going to go, but suspects that there would be some assistance for the bowlers. Adds that he would love to have some early breakthroughs. On the team combination, Paul informs that they are going in with an extra batter and 1 spinner, along with 4 seamers.

Good toss to win? In all likelihood. After all the rain in the morning and also with the skies getting overcast again, opting to field was a no-brainer. There is some rain forecast, so there could be some stoppages in play. Hopefully, we don't get any but looking at the weather, you would certainly want to bowl in these conditions.

Ireland (Playing XI) - Paul Stirling (C), Andy Balbirnie, Cade Carmichael, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Lorcan Tucker (WK), Ben Calitz, Mark Adair, Gavin Hoey, Jai Moondra and Byron McDonough.

Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Sediqullah Atal, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmat Shah (C), Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Mohammad Saleem and Fazalhaq Farooqi.

It's TOSS time - The two captains finally get ready for the first spin of the coin of this series. Rahmat Shah will be leading the Afghans while for the home side, it will be Paul Stirling. The big Paul will flip the coin, with Rahmat calling. The breeze has suddenly picked up and it has grown a touch dark out there. Sshhh... keep the negative thoughts away. Not quite sure what has happened there. But we have come to know from our sources at the ground that IRELAND HAVE WON THE TOSS AND ELECTED TO BOWL.

11.15 AM GMT START, 47 OVERS PER SIDE - Cricket Ireland have just confirmed this via a tweet. Since we would be losing 90 minutes of play, the officials have deducted 6 overs from the initially allotted 100 overs. Now that we are sure of a game happening, let's hope we get a cracker. If my math is correct, 2 bowlers can bowl a maximum of 10 overs each while 3 others can bowl a maximum of 9 overs apiece. Accordingly, the Powerplay overs could be split into 9, 29 and 9 respectively, but we will wait for the official announcement.

TOSS AT 10.45 AM GMT! Yippee! We are not sure about the start time and for now, we suspect it could be at 11 or 11.15 am GMT. So that's roughly time lost of about 75-90 minutes. Since this is a day game, and there are no floodlights here, the over-reduction policy could come into play, but we will let the umpires take a call on that first. Enjoy this first good news for now.

Stumps being erected now - The news just keeps getting better. The umpires were supposed to hold an inspection at 10.15 am GMT and one of the umpires is in a chat with the head curator. Meanwhile, players from both sides have begun their warmup routines. So we could be looking to start in another three-quarters of an hour hopefully. The sun, on the other hand, has been covered by the clouds again.

The sun is out! More good signs. Just what we needed for a quickening of the process. Also, Paul Stirling and I suspect, Andy Balbirnie, come out there to have some warm-ups, in training clothing, probably intending to start with rugby. Now, we are able to see an Afghan batter, think it is Darwish Rasooli, doing some shadow practising behind the wickets. We are definitely not that far away now, from the ultimate good news. The next inspection is almost around the corner...

All covers off! Now, that's fantastic news. The main pitch was never covered but there were some sheets kept on either side. Now, they have been removed. And now, the umpire is in deep conversation with the head curator. We can see Rashid Khan come out to probably have a hit or a bowl but he is not in his national clothing yet. Still, the signs are pretty encouraging.

Next inspection at 10.15 am GMT - Not entirely surprising, as suspected earlier. The very fact that the umpires were not satisfied with their own inspections and took a long time to chat with the groundstaff indicated that we might not start any time soon. There are still quite a few damp patches on the outfield and we suspect that they are not around the 30-yard circle alone. There are some other areas too, which is why the match officials want another inspection. If the sun can grace its presence for even half an hour, the drying process could speeden up. For now, we continue waiting.

It's time for Africa? We just mentioned a few minutes back about the schedule for the Women's T20 Asia Cup. On the same note, the shouts and demands for the Africa T20 Cup are growing higher and higher. We are coming to understand that there could be the realistic possibility of the Africa T20 Cup in 2027, which could feature South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. As a precursor to that, Namibia have just announced a tri-series involving themselves, South Africa and Zimbabwe later this month. After that, the Proteas will stay back in Namibia for a 3-match ODI series against the hosts.

Inspection underway - Live visuals from the ground see the umpires having a look at certain areas of the ground. The pitch is not covered but on its two adjacent sides, there are sheets kept. It is overcast, so the process of natural drying is not available right now. The groundstaff is trying to use blowers to dry the ground. The hover covers are kept ready in place, just in case the heavens open up. Don't see any umpire having a chat with the groundstaff, which could probably mean that we are still some time away from getting underway. We shall update you as soon as we receive any official update. At last, one of the umpires is having a chat with the groundstaff and one of the side sheets is being removed slightly.

TOSS DELAYED, AGAIN - There is still some time left for the toss but the official word coming from the ground is that we will definitely not have the toss at the scheduled 9.15 am GMT because the ground is wet from the early morning rain. The good thing though, is that even though we may not start on time, it is currently not raining. So we definitely have chances of getting a game in prospect sometime today, hoping that the sun shines brightly and the ground dries out quickly. Fingers crossed. Cricket Ireland have tweeted that the next inspection is scheduled at 9.30 am GMT.

Women's Asia Cup from August 28 - After a long wait, the fixtures for the 2026 Women's T20 Asia Cup have been announced. The tournament will be staged entirely in Dubai from the 28th of this month, with the high marquee clash between India and Pakistan (at least, the first) scheduled on 5th September. The 8-team tournament will be split into two groups of four, with each team playing against the others from the same group once. The top two teams from each group will contest the semifinals. The final is set to take place on September 13.

One door closed, but fight continues - Very few of us actually realize the importance of bilateral ODI series. For the teams who are ranked in the top 4 or 5, these series are more of testing themselves and finalizing their squads for the next World Cup. However, for teams that are ranked below 6, such series are actually the pathway for direct qualification into the global event. Unfortunately, with the first ODI being washed out, Ireland can no longer qualify directly and have to take the longer route through the qualifiers. But that does not mean Ireland don't take this series seriously. Every match and every series is a point for them to prove to the ICC that they belong to this level. Defeating India was a big thing but to prove that it was not a fluke, they would want to win this series and win it convincingly. At the same time, Afghanistan are not safe either. Currently ranked 8th, they need to ensure that they need to keep improving or at least, don't slip below their current ranking for their direct qualification.

A better day in prospect - Yes, that's what we are hearing. After the first ODI was abandoned way too early due to persistent showers and later, the deluge caused by those showers, game number 2 promises to have a much better weather. The skies could be overcast but the chances of precipitation seem minimal. Let's hope we get cricketing action today. On that note, hello and a warm welcome to the second of 5 ODIs between Ireland and Afghanistan in Bready.

... MATCH DAY ...

Back to Bready once again - After persistent rain denied both teams a ball in the opening ODI, Ireland and Afghanistan return to the Bready Cricket Ground hoping for better fortunes in the second match of this five-game series. With crucial ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League qualification points on offer, the stakes remain as high as ever. Afghanistan currently occupy eighth place, the final automatic qualification spot for the 2027 ODI World Cup, and will be eager to strengthen their position. Ireland, meanwhile, sit 12th and with the washout in the first game, it confirmed that they will have to play the Qualifiers. While the weather forecast once again threatens interruptions, both teams will hope the rain stays away long enough for this important rivalry to finally get underway. Ireland banking on home advantage - Ireland have enjoyed some memorable battles with Afghanistan over the years, and home conditions could provide them with the platform to reverse recent trends. Afghanistan have won the last two ODI series between the sides, but when they last contested a five-match series, back in India in 2019, honours ended even at 2-2. Playing in familiar conditions at Bready and later Stormont, Ireland will believe they have an opportunity to swing the rivalry back in their favour. There is plenty of experience for Ireland to lean on despite an injury-hit squad. Captain Paul Stirling returns to lead the side after missing recent action through injury, while the dependable trio of Andy Balbirnie, Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker forms the backbone of the batting. All-rounders Curtis Campher, Mark Adair and Andy McBrine give Ireland valuable balance, while a new generation also has the chance to make an impression. Jai Moondra, Ben Calitz and pace bowler Byron McDonough have all earned opportunities after impressive domestic performances, highlighting the depth Ireland are beginning to build despite several key absentees. A chance for the bowlers to set the tone - Irish conditions have traditionally rewarded disciplined seam bowling, and that could once again prove central to the hosts' hopes. With several frontline quicks unavailable through injury, greater responsibility falls on the likes of Mark Adair and the emerging pace attack to make the most of any movement on offer. The all-round strength of Campher and McBrine also gives Ireland flexibility, while their familiarity with local conditions could become a decisive factor if overcast skies continue to dominate proceedings. A new era begins for Afghanistan - Afghanistan arrive with a new leader but the same ambition of cementing their place among the automatic World Cup qualifiers. Veteran batter Rahmat Shah begins his tenure as ODI captain following Hashmatullah Shahidi's decision to step down, marking the start of a new chapter for one of international cricket's fastest-rising teams. With an experienced core and exciting young talent around him, Rahmat will be eager to begin his leadership journey with a series victory. Afghanistan's batting continues to revolve around one of the most settled top orders in international cricket. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran remain capable of taking games away from the opposition inside the powerplay, while Rahmat and Hashmatullah Shahidi provide calmness through the middle overs. The dynamic Azmatullah Omarzai adds another dimension with his ability to influence matches in all three departments, making Afghanistan a side with both stability and explosiveness. Firepower with ball in hand - Afghanistan's greatest strength, however, remains their bowling. Rashid Khan arrives in Ireland fresh from claiming his first five-wicket haul in The Hundred, a spell that underlined his enduring match-winning ability. Having spent the past few weeks bowling in English conditions, he will also be well accustomed to the surfaces and weather awaiting him at Bready. Alongside him, the exciting AM Ghazanfar provides another potent spin option, while the return of Fazalhaq Farooqi and Yamin Ahmadzai significantly strengthens the pace attack. With Azmatullah Omarzai also capable of making breakthroughs, Afghanistan possess a bowling unit capable of adapting to a variety of conditions. Another chapter in a familiar rivalry - Few rivalries have been as competitive in recent years as Ireland against Afghanistan. Although Afghanistan hold a narrow 18-13 advantage in the overall ODI head-to-head and have won the last two bilateral series, the contests between these sides have rarely been one-sided. The last time they met in a five-match ODI series, back in 2019, honours ended even at 2-2, while Ireland have repeatedly shown they are capable of matching Afghanistan, particularly in home conditions. With the opening match washed out, both teams effectively head into this contest knowing the series is still waiting for its first defining moment. Team form (Last 5 completed ODIs, recent first) - IRE - LWLWL | AFG - LLLWW. Hoping for cricket at last - Before either side can think about gaining an advantage in the series, they will first need the weather to cooperate. Rain once again features in the forecast after the first ODI was abandoned without a ball being bowled, but if the conditions allow, fans should finally be treated to another closely fought battle between two evenly matched sides. With World Cup qualification points carrying extra significance and a new era beginning for Afghanistan under Rahmat Shah, there is plenty riding on what promises to be an important day at Bready.