आयरलैंड vs अफगानिस्तान, चौथा वनडे, सिविल सर्विस क्रिकेट क्लब, स्टोर्मोंट, बेलफास्ट, 12 August 2026 - लाइव कमेंट्री

Short of a length, around off, Liam McCarthy hangs back and guides it to the right of the backward point fielder. Hashmatullah Shahidi dives and makes a half-stop, parrying the ball to the deep for a single.

Four! Played towards covers.

OUT! IN THE AIR...GONE! Yamin Ahmadzai gets his second. He hits the deck hard, on off, and shoots up a bit. Gavin Hoey backs and tries to slap it away but gets it high on the bat. It goes straight up in the air towards cover, where Rahmat Shah settles under the high ball and takes a good catch. Ireland are 256/8, needing 88 runs.

Back of a length and around off, holds its line, Liam McCarthy tries to guide it away but misses.

Fuller and on middle, Liam McCarthy drills it past the bowler for a single. He opens his account in ODI cricket.

FOUR! Not sure how to describe that shot! Pitched up and around off, takes pace off. Curtis Campher changes his stance early to play the reverse scoop, but he gets it from the outer half of the bat as the ball flies over short fine for a boundary.

SIX! Straight as an arrow! Fuller once more, on middle, in the slot as well. Curtis Campher clears his front leg away and tonks it over the bowler's head for a biggie.

FOUR! 15 runs off the over! A slower bumper, on off, Curtis Campher waits for it and pulls it away wide of deep square leg. Rashid Khan runs to his right and slides but fails to stop the boundary.

OUT! ABSOLUTE SCREAMER! Rashid Khan, you beauty! Azmatullah Omarzai lands this back of a length and around off, Mark Adair backs away and tries to punch it over extra cover but ends up slicing it. It flies towards extra cover, where Rashid sticks out his left hand and plucks the ball out of thin air. He is off and running in celebration. Ireland slip further, still needing 97 runs in 41 balls.

Good length and on off, Gavin Hoey stabs it out to short cover.

Fuller and angling in on leg, Gavin Hoey backs away and tries to play at it but misses. Rahmanullah Gurbaz dives to his left but only makes a half-stop and the batters set off for the bye. Gurbaz picks up and has a shy at the batter's end but misses. Campher would have been a goner if that had hit.

Put down! Azmatullah Omarzai bangs this into the pitch, outside off, gives no pace. Curtis Campher backs away and tries to reach out for it but gets a top edge. The fielder from deep third runs forward and dives but fails to hold on to it. Two taken.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR CAMPHER! Off just 35 balls. Fuller delivery, on middle, angling in. Curtis Campher whips it away towards deep square leg, where the fielder makes a meal of it and lets it through for a boundary. This has been a quickfire knock from him, but Ireland needed a lot more from the others.

Pitched up and around off, Curtis Campher lofts it towards sweeper cover for a brace.

Goes short and around leg, Mark Adair flicks it through square leg for a single.

Floated, full and on off, Curtis Campher pushes it through covers for a run.

Dragged back, on off, Mark Adair pats it back to the bowler.

SIX! Mark Adair joins the fun! A googly, full and on middle, turns in. Mark Adair clears his front leg away and smokes it with spin over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Flatter, shortish and on middle, Mark Adair blocks it out.

Floated, full and on off, Mark Adair drives it to sweeper cover for one. Rashid Khan finishes a fine spell of bowling, with figures of 10-1-49-3.

Back of a length and around off, Mark Adair slaps it towards sweeper cover for a single.

WIDE! Short of a length, outside off, takes pace off. Curtis Campher goes for the reverse ramp but does not connect. Called a wide.

Goes fuller and on off, Curtis Campher bunts it past the bowler, to the right of long off for a run.

Slower one, full and around off. Mark Adair throws his hands at it but slices it in the air. It drops safely between the sweeper cover and extra cover for another run.

SIX! Excellent shot! A low full toss, on middle. Curtis Campher stays deep inside his crease and clobbers it over the long on fence for a biggie.

SIX MORE! Ziaur Rahman bangs this into the pitch, on middle. Curtis Campher picks the length early and pulls it away. It sails massively over the deep square leg fielder for half a dozen more.

FOUR! Powered away! Slower one, hard length and just outside off. Curtis Campher backs away, extends his arms and smacks it over extra covers for a boundary. 20 runs off the over.

OUT! CAUGHT! Is that the final nail in the coffin for Ireland? Rashid Khan gets his second here. He tosses it up, full and around middle. Andy Balbirnie gets down for the slog sweep but fails to get the elevation or the placement. It flies straight towards deep square leg, where Darwish Rasooli gets behind it well and takes a fine catch. End of an excellent knock from Balbirnie.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Two in two for Rashid Khan. This is a flatter, leg-break, full and on middle, turns in sharply. Ben Calitz backs away to punch it but gets cramped for room. He plays all over it as the ball goes through and rattles the leg pole. Rashid will be on a hat-trick now. 216/4 becomes 216/6 for Ireland.

No hat-trick! A googly, short and on middle, turns in, Mark Adair clips it through square leg for a single.

Flighted, full and on off, Curtis Campher goes down and drags it wide of long on for a run.

Slows it up, full and on off, Mark Adair lunges out and blocks it out.

Drops it short and on middle and leg, Mark Adair tucks it towards mid-wicket for one more.

Low full toss, on off, Curtis Campher goes for a premediated scoop shot by shuffling across, but makes a last second adjustment and opens the bat face to ease it to backward point.

Short and slow, wide outside off, on a length. Curtis Campher throws his bat at it and chops it to the point region.

Wide yorker, outside off, carved through cover for a single.

Another attempted yorker, on off, Andy Balbirnie exposes the stumps, converts it into a full toss and squeezes it to Rashid at extra cover for a single.

Very full, around off, Curtis Campher drills it straight back at the bowler. Ziaur bends low to his left on the follow-through and stop with his left hand.

Full and wide outside off, Curtis Campher throws the bat at it and hammers it to the left of deep cover and they hare back for the second run.

The leg break, full on middle, Balbirnie creates room by moving leg side and tries to loft it inside out over cover, but gets a fat inside edge towards mid on.

OVERTHROWS! A bit untidy from the visitors in the field. Tossed up, very full and outside off, Andy Balbirnie drills it to deep cover for a couple of runs. The throw from the sweeper is a wild one towards the bowling end, and wide of the bowler. It rolls to the leg side and allows the batters the third run. 200 UP FOR IRELAND!

Fires it full and on the leg stump, Curtis gets low for a sweep, but misses.

SIX! Dumped into the crowd! Googly, full on middle, Curtis Campher picks the length early and slog sweeps it powerfully behind deep mid-wicket for a huge six.

Full and around off, driven through covers for a single.

FOUR! Threads it through neatly! Runs are now coming at a good pace for the hosts. Dropped short by Rashid, outside off. Andy Balbirnie hangs deep in the crease and slaps it past cover-point for a cracking boundary. 14 runs off the over. 137 runs needed from 66 balls for Ireland.

CENTURY FOR ANDY BALBIRNIE! From 113 balls and he gets to his 10th ODI ton! Gets a warm ovation from each and every one in the crowd and a warm hug from his partner. A knock of real class from the Irish opener. He works the fuller delivery away towards deep backward square leg for a single to get there. Started watchfully, but has shifted through the gears seamlessly over the last few overs. The job now is to bat deep and drag his side as close as possible to an improbable finish.

Flat and full, around off, smashed to the cover fielder.

SIX! That's a good strike! A half-volley on the stumps, Curtis shimmies down a bit and launches it handsomely over long on for a biggie!

Length ball, drifting on the pads, Campher skips down the track and flicks the ball to the right of short midwicket.

Fullish and fired in outside off, Campher shuffles across, looking for the paddle but completely misses it. The ball raps him high on the front pad, and rolls away to the left of short fine leg for a leg bye.

Around off, heaved off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Back of a length, wide outside off, Andy slashes it to deep backward point for a single.

Beaten! A smidge fuller and in line of the stumps. Curtis Campher charges down the track to give it a mighty whack over mid-wicket, but the ball nips in with bounce, beats the inside edge and passes over the sticks on its way to the keeper.

Low full toss at shin height, Curtis Campher whips it on the bounce to Ibrahim Zadran at deep backward square leg for a single.

Nervy! Ahmadzai takes the pace off it, length ball outside off. Andy Balbirnie stays tall and taps it towards short third, setting off for a single, but seeing the fielder swoop in and fire a throw, he changes his mind, turns back and slides his bat in just as the ball crashes into the stumps. It then cannons away to the leg side, and the batters scamper through for a single anyway. Replays confirm Balbirnie's bat was in just in time before the bails were disturbed.

Skids through from a length, outside off, Curtis Campher tries to cut it away, but gets a bottom edge and it rolls to deep third for a single.

On a length, outside off, slashed away to deep cover for a single. Balbirnie moves to 99!

Floated up, on the stumps. Campher hangs back and chop-cuts it to point for a single.

Dips on the batter, full on off, Andy Balbirnie slices it wide of backward point for a quick single.

Nicely tossed up, short and outside off. Curtis Campher gives himself room by backing away. Tries the cut shot but gets beaten.

Short outside off, Curtis slaps it to sweeper cover for a run.

Quick and full, on middle, Andy Balbirnie slogs it over mid-wicket. The fielder from deep square leg comes dashing across to his left and makes a fantastic sliding stop. Two runs taken.

Landed full and around off, driven off the front foot to long off for a single.

Angles it on the pads, Andy Balbirnie chips it to the left of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Full and straight on the stumps, Balbirnie stays rooted in the crease and stabs it to cover.

How has that missed the stumps? Andy shows his cards early as he shuffles outside off to play the scoop shot and seeing that, Yamin spears on a length, aimed at the leg pole. Balbirnie misses to lay bat on the ball and the ball scarily flies over the leg stump.

Beaten! Back of a length, outside off, nipping away with bounce. Andy Balbirnie stays put and tries to cut it square on the off side, but the ball zings over his angled bat.

 SIX! Gets on away this time around and Balbirnie moves into his 90s! Full from Ahmadzai, around off, Andy Balbirnie moves across the stumps, gets the bat underneath the ball and plays the scoop shot, managing to sail it over deep fine leg for half a dozen runs. 167 runs needed off 91 balls.

Sharp response from Yamin. He bends his back and bangs in a short ball, on top of off. Andy Balbirnie sways out of the firing line, drops his wrists and leaves it alone. 28 runs from the last 3 overs for Ireland.

SIX! Welcomes Ghazanfar with a quality shot! Landed full and outside off. Andy Balbirnie gets down on a knee and unleashes the slog sweep, clearing the deep mid-wicket fence for a cracking six.

Short around off, Andy stabs it to deep cover for a single. 181 needed from 100 balls.

Pitched full and around off, Curtis drills it to long off for a single.

FOUR! Swept in the gap! Tossed up, full and on middle, Andy Balbirnie is not in control of the sweep shot. It goes in the air off the top edge, but into the deep square leg and deep mid-wicket gap. And trickles to the ropes for a four.

In front of the stumps, Andy Balbirnie clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Overpitched and on the stumps, Curtis Campher carves it straight back at the bowler. AM Ghazanfar can't hide his frustration after leaking 13 runs on his return to the attack. He gathers the ball in his follow through and fires it back to the keeper, with Campher swaying out of the firing line just in time.

Slides it on leg, full in length, drilled away to long on for a single. 150 COMES UP FOR IRELAND! It is met with a ripple of cheers from the Irish faithful. Still, a long, long way to go.

Bowls a full ball, around off, Curtis Campher sits on a knee and slogs it to deep square leg for a single.

On the stumps, full in length, knocked straight back to Rashid.

Drifts on the pads, full in length, Andy Balbirnie brooms it to deep backward square leg for a single.

 FOUR! Pinned through the gap! Loopy googly from Rashid, full and around off. Curtis Campher reads the variation, gets on the front foot and creams it through extra cover for a boundary.

Rashid replies with a quick leg break, full outside off, Curtis Campher keeps it out to the off side. 7-1-23-1 so far for Khan.

Full on middle and leg, Andy Balbirnie punches it on the rise to mid on. The fielder picks and scores a direct hit at the bowling end. The replay shows that Campher just planted his bat inside the crease before the stumps are hit.

Bangs it short, on top of off, Andy Balbirnie swings across to pull, only to miss.

Another sharp bouncer, outside off, Andy Balbirnie takes his eyes off the ball and sways from the line to leave.

SIX! Goes the distance! Short from Omarzai, angled into the body line with extra bounce. Andy is hurried on the pull shot and hooks it off the top edge and it clears the long leg fence for a six.

Tries the yorker but slips in a low full toss. Andy Balbirnie backs away to carve it through cover, but gets a thick inside edge through square leg for a run.

Nip-backer on a length, Curtis Campher rides the bounce and chops it onto the pitch.

Full and quick, on the stumps, clipped to mid-wicket.

Short on middle, the googly, Tucker punches it back to the bowler.

Drops it full and around off, Lorcan Tucker drives it to the cover fielder.

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! It was inevitable at some point, as they needed to get a move on. Rashid opens his account with the ball. He bowls from well behind the popping crease and dishes out a googly, on a length, on the stumps. The ball lands and just refuses to rise up. Lorcan Tucker rocks back and goes for the pull shot, but the ball beats the inside edge, shoots low and rattles the timber. Tucker is dejected as he walks off and Ireland are 142/3, needing 202 runs.

On a length, around middle, Curtis whips it to mid-wicket.

Tempting flight from Rashid. Another googly, full on the stumps. Curtis Campher lunges and blocks it out. WICKET MAIDEN FROM RASHID! Simply outstanding from the wizard.

SIX! Goes all the way! Short of a length and around leg. Lorcan Tucker looks to hook it away but it flies off the top edge and sails over fine leg for a biggie.

Good length and on middle, angling in, Lorcan Tucker blocks it out.

A slower bumper, on middle, Lorcan Tucker goes through his pull early and misses. It hits the grill of the helmet and deflects to the right of the keeper. Leg bye taken.

Fuller and on middle, Andy Balbirnie drills it to the left of mid off for a single.

Pitched up and around leg, Lorcan Tucker tucks it towards mid-wicket for one.

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

Short and on middle, Andy Balbirnie flicks it off the back foot to deep square leg for a single.

Tossed up, full and around off, Lorcan Tucker miscues his drive off the bottom edge to short cover.

A googly, full and on off, turns in, Lorcan Tucker defends it on the front foot.

Flatter, full and around off, Lorcan Tucker drills it away, but Rahmat Shah at short cover makes a fine diving stop to his left.

Goes short and on off, Lorcan Tucker punches it towards cover.

Short again, on off, Lorcan Tucker guides it away towards point for a run.

Good length and around leg, Andy Balbirnie glanes it towards short fine for a single.

OUT! STRAIGHT TO THE FIELDER! Azmatullah Omarzai strikes on his return to the attack. He bangs this into the pitch, on middle, angling into the batter. Harry Tector looks to pull it away but gets cramped up to free his arms. He does not get the elevation and hits it much flatter towards deep square leg, where Yamin Ahmadzai does not have to move an inch and takes a good catch. Ireland are 129/3, chasing 344 runs.

Short of a length and on off, Lorcan Tucker dabs it to point.

Dug into the surface, on middle, Lorcan Tucker rolls his wrists and pulls it to deep square leg for a run.

Close! Hits the deck hard, on middle, angling in a bit. Andy Balbirnie uses his feet and has a heave across the line but misses. The ball just goes over the stumps.

Back of a length and on leg, Andy Balbirnie clips it through square leg for one more.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Harry Tector defends it back to the bowler.

Floated, full and on off, Harry Tector drills it down to long on for a single.

Drops it short and around off, Andy Balbirnie punches it through cover-point for a un.

Flatter, full and on leg, Harry Tector flicks it to deep square leg for another run.

Dragged back, outside off, Andy Balbirnie cuts it to point.

Another short delivery, on leg, Andy Balbirnie nudges it through square leg one.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR BALBIRNIE! A gritty knock as he gets to his 18th half-century in ODIs. However, he will know they need a lot more. Hard length and on middle, nips back in. Andy Balbirnie looks to push it away but gets an inside edge as the ball races to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Back of a length and on off, Andy Balbirnie keeps it out to the off side.

Fuller one and on middle, Andy Balbirnie backs away and lofts it over extra cover for a single.

Short of a length and outside off, Harry Tector cuts it away to deep point for a run.

Dug into the surface, outside off again. Andy Balbirnie slashes hard but misses due to the extra bounce.

FOUR! Connects well this time! Ziaur Rahman goes short again and well outside off. Andy Balbirnie does not miss out this time and spanks it over point for a cracking boundary.

Tossed up, full and on off, Harry Tector pushes it back to the bowler.

Flighted, full and on middle, Harry Tector knocks it back to the bowler. Rashid Khan picks up and fires in a throw at the batter's end.

Drops it short, on middle, Harry Tector punches it down to long on for a single.

Goes short again, on off, Andy Balbirnie steers it away towards point.

Dragged back, on off, turns away, Andy Balbirnie punches it to the right of the bowler. Rashid Khan quickly moves to his right to make a fine diving stop.

Wrong'un, full and on middle, turns in, Andy Balbirnie clips it through square leg for one.

Fuller and on middle, Harry Tector uses his feet and drives it to mid off.

Back of a length and on off, Harry Tector stabs it out towards short cover.

Short of a length and on off, Harry Tector dabs it down to point.

Hard length and on off, Harry Tector punches it towards extra cover. Still Nelson on the board.

Touch fuller and on off, Harry Tector knocks it towards mid off for a quick single.

Pitched up and on middle, angling in and keeping low. Andy Balbirnie does well to gets his bat down to keep it out.

Shorter in length, on middle, Harry Tector swipes it away to deep square leg for a single.

Flatter, short and on off, Andy Balbirnie opens the bat face and steers it towards short third for a quick run.

Shorter once more, on middle, Harry Tector flicks it off the back foot through mid-wicket for another run.

Another short delivery, on middle, Andy Balbirnie punches it down to long on for one.

Tossed up, full and on off, Harry Tector defends it on the front foot.

Goes back to the shorter length, on leg, Harry Tector works it through mid-wicket for one more.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Harry Tector eases it down to long on for a single.

Floated, full and on off, Andy Balbirnie knocks it back to the bowler.

Drops it short and on off, Andy Balbirnie punches it through covers for a run.

Slows it up, full and on off, Harry Tector prods forward and blocks it out.

Dragged back, around off, Harry Tector stabs it out to short cover.

Flatter, full and on middle, Harry Tector clips it through square leg for one.

Buzzers! Fuller and on middle, Andy Balbirnie works it towards wide mid on for a single. Rashid Khan has an unnecessary throw at the bowler's end, hitting the stumps but allowing an extra run.

Back of a length and around off, Andy Balbirnie punches it wide of point, where the fielder dives to his right to make a fine stop.

Short of a length and on off, Andy Balbirnie runs it down to deep third for a single.

Hits the deck hard, on off, Harry Tector dabs it down to backward point.

FOUR! Classy shot! Fuller delivery, on middle. Harry Tector presents the full face of the bat and plays a textbook straight drive back past the bowler for a boundary. Stylish way to bring up the 100 for Ireland.

Just back of a length and around off, Harry Tector cuts it late through backward point for a run.

Starts with a short ball, outside off, Andy Balbirnie scythes it to deep point for a single.

Pitched full around off, eased down to long off for a single.

Full and on middle, Andy Balbirnie plays the on drive to long on for a single.

The length is pulled back by a yard or so, on middle. Harry Tector rocks back and taps it through mid on for a single.

Aims the stumps with a googly, Andy Balbirnie knocks it to long on and they jog through for a single.

Another googly, short on the pads. Harry Tector goes back and across and whips it to the fielder at mid-wicket. Just 5 singles off Rashid's first.

Landed short on the stumps, nudged wide of mid-wicket for a single.

In front of the stumps, full in length. Harry gets on the front foot, tries to defend, but the ball rolls off the inside edge to square leg for a single.

Again, a full ball, and this is clipped in front of square on the leg side for a single.

Carrom ball, spinning from leg to middle, Harry Tector smothers the spin.

Gives the ball a lot more flight, landing it it full and outside off, Harry Tector drives it crisply, but straight to the cover fielder.

A massive appeal for LBW, but not given by the umpire. Height? Looks like it. Or maybe, the impact could have been outside off on this one. Ghazanfar bowls a length ball, just around the off stump. Harry Tector goes deep inside the crease and whip it across the line but misses and is hit on the back thigh pad.

Hits the hard length, on middle, Andy Balbirnie shimmies down the track and knocks it to extra cover for a single.

 FOUR! Hammered away! On a back of a length, around off, sits up nicely at a good height. Harry Tector pulls it off the back foot and it blazes through the vacant deep mid-wicket region for a boundary. Excellent weight transfer on the back foot from Tector.

Full outside off, Harry advances down the pitch and slices it to deep point for a single.

Tighter line, short on middle, Andy Balbirnie defends it off the back foot to cover.

FOUR! Not convincing but still gets a good piece of it! On a good length, outside off, Andy Balbirnie mistimes the pull shot as the ball hits the upper portion of the bat. He still manages to slam it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

In-between length, outside off, steered through cover and point for a single. 11 runs from this over. Ireland require 257 runs.

Short outside off, dabbed off the back foot to the right of backward point for a single.

Pushed through, on a fuller length, and it is the carrom ball that spins away. Harry Tector fends it to the off side with soft hands.

In-drifter, on a length, Harry Tector gets across and nudges it to backward square leg for a single.

Pitched shorter, turning away, Andy Balbirnie punches the carrom ball through mid on for a run.

Very full and on off, Harry Tector leans on and creams it to deep cover-point for another run.

Drifts it on the leg stump, Andy Balbirnie tickles the full ball to deep fine leg for a single. 1/15 for Ghazanfar so far in 4 overs​​​​​​.

Slants it onto the leg stump, Harry Tector forces the drive to the mid on region.

Full and around off, swinging in a bit. Harry Tector goes for the cover drive, but inside edges through square leg for a single.

Full and around off, Andy Balbirnie lunges forward and eases it to backward point.

Hammers it on a length, on off, Andy Balbirnie swivels and pulls it along the ground to deep square leg for an easy single.

Hard length, outside off, skidding through the deck. Harry Tector tries to punch it to the off side, but gets a bit of a bottom edge and it rolls through short third for a run.

Wide outside off, on a length, Andy hangs back and cuts it through backward point for a single.

Dishes out a full ball, outside off, Andy drives it to the cover fielder.

FOUR! Off the top edge! Drags the length back, does Ghazanfar, around off. Andy Balbirnie collapses the back knee into the pitch to play the sweep-pull, but gets a thick top edge and the ball flies over the short fine leg fielder for a boundary.

Quick on the stumps, on a length, Andy runs it to long on for a single.

The carrom ball from Ghazanfar, full on middle, Harry Tector alertly flicks it to mid-wicket.

Keeps the stumps in play, and tosses it full on the stumps, Harry Tector clips it along the ground to long on for an easy single.

Beautiful piece of spin bowling! Dishes out a carrom ball, on off, full in length. This lands and turns away. Andy Balbirnie looks to drive it straight back but gets a faint outside edge, but luckily for him, the ball clips Gurbaz's right leg and rolls wide of the first slip fielder.

 Starts off with an absolute ripper! Hits the length hard, in the corridor of uncertainty. The ball lands and straightens up just enough to beat Balbirnie's attempted back foot defence.

Extracts some bounce from a hard length, angling into the body. Andy Balbirnie gets squared up and fends it towards square leg.

Slams it on a fuller length, around off, Andy Balbirnie presses forward and blocks it solidly.

BEATEN! The Afghan seamers are getting more bounce than the Irish pacers. Short of a length, on top of off, just nipping away a shy bit. Andy Balbirnie is squared up on the back foot. He looks to block it in front but the ball zips past his outside edge.

On a length, around middle and leg, Balbirnie steers it through square leg for a single.

FOUR! Through the gap! A bit too straightish, on the pads, Harry Tector steps across and flicks it through the square leg and deep fine leg gap for a boundary. Wonderful shot from Harry.

Full and drifting in, Harry pushes it back to Ghazanfar.

On a lower trajectory, flat and short, on middle and leg. Harry Tector hangs back and nudges it wide of the mid-wicket fielder for a single.

Short on middle, gently nudged to the right of square leg for a quick single.

Tossed up, full outside off, carved away to the backward point fielder.

Quicker and flatter, full and outside off. Harry Tector tries to drive that away to covers, but the ball spins away to beat the outside edge.

Loops it up, full on middle, Harry Tector gets on the front foot and drills it back to the bowler.

Nice and full, tailing in a touch. Cade plays with a straight bat and knocks it to the right of the bowler.

FOUR! Accurate timing and placement! 50 UP FOR IRELAND! Full and on the stumps, Cade Carmichael gets a bit across and nails the flick shot through the gap between mid on and mid-wicket for a boundary.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! A seamer's dream ball, this one. Hit the top of off, they say and Ahmadzai does exactly that. On a length, straightening up from the pitch. Cade Carmichael plays from out of the crease and looks to block it in front but the ball almost trims the outside edge and clips the bails on the off stump. Absolutely cleaned him up through a ripper. Ireland slip from 48/0 to 53/2.

On a good length, around off, Harry tucks that away to mid-wicket.

Fullish length, outside off, Tector leans across and blocks it to cover.

Full and outside off again, Harry drives it towards Rashid at cover, but the Afghan captain fumbles and the ball trickles to the deep for a single. A very successful over from Yamin. A wicket and 5 runs from it.

Starts with a flatter one, full outside off, carved to short third.

Dropped short, outside off, Andy backs away and cuts it wide of point for a single.

OUT! LBW! Immediate impact from Ghazanfar as he breaks the opening partnership. He dishes out a full ball, on the stumps, Paul Stirling is drawn forward to play at it, but the ball turns in sharply and beats the inside edge to strike on the back pad. A confident appeal goes up in unison from the Afghans and up goes the finger. It is as plumb as it can get and Stirling is trapped in front, the first ball of spin he faces. Ireland are 48/1, needing 296 runs.

A touch full, spinning down leg. Cade misses the flick and the ball clips the front pad, before Gurbaz grabs it to his left.

Full and quick on the stumps, flicked away to mid-wicket.

A floater from Ghazanfar, full and outside off. Cade Carmichael leans forward and taps it to the cover region for a quick single to open his account.

Back of a length and well outside off, Andy Balbirnie leaves it alone.

Beaten! Good length and on the fifth stump line, angles in but then straightens off the deck. Andy Balbirnie stays back to play at it, but the ball zips past he outisde edge.

WIDE! Fuller one but down the leg side, Andy Balbirnie gets no bat on the ball. Wided.

Full again and around off, Andy Balbirnie tries to drive but gets a thick outside edge through backward point for a run.

FOUR! Streaky, but they all count! Yamin Ahmadzai sticks to the fuller length and on off, shaping away. Paul Stirling throws his hands at it and gets an outside edge that flies between the keeper and gully for a boundary.

Short of a length and outside off, moving away Paul Stirling steps across and has a swipe across the line but gets nowhere near the ball.

SIX! That is a shot and a half! Yamin Ahmadzai bangs this into the pitch, just outside off. Paul Stirling backs away, extends his arms and slaps it over deep extra cover for a biggie.

FOUR! Nice shot! Back of a length and around off, Paul Stirling gets on top of the bounce and punches it with sweet timing through covers for a boundary.

Hard length and around off, does not bounce that much. Paul Stirling backs away and throws his hands at it but misses.

SIX! That is outta here! Short of a length and on middle, it sits up nicely for the batter. Paul Stirling picks up the length early and whacks it from the middle of the bat, over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

Good length and on middle and off, Paul Stirling pats it towards cover-point.

A bit fuller and around off, shaping away, Paul Stirling goes for the drive on the up but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Pitched up and on middle, Paul Stirling drills it firmly down the pitch, where it hits Azmatullah Omarzai's left foot and deflects towards extra cover.

On a length and around off, keeps a bit low. Paul Stirling moves across to slog it over mid-wicket but fails to connect.

Swing and a miss again! Dug into the surface, on midde. Paul Stirling skips down the track, stays leg side of the ball and tries to thump it down the ground but misses.

Uppish but safe! Goes fuller and just around off, shaping away. Paul Stirling throws his bat at it but slices it in the air. The fielder from deep third runs forward but the ball drops in front of him. They cross.

Pulls his length back, on middle, Andy Balbirnie fends it away.

Back of a length and on off, Andy Balbirnie stays back and keeps it out to the off side.

Beauty! Yamin Ahmadzai bowls this on a hard length, on middle, jags back in sharply. Andy Balbirnie gets cut in half as the ball goes past the inside edge. Rahmanullah Gurbaz makes another flying stop to his left.

On a length and on middle, Andy Balbirnie blocks it out.

FOUR! Good shot! Short of a length and outside off. Andy Balbirnie uses the width on offer and cuts it away through point for a boundary.

Bangs this into the pitch, around off, Andy Balbirnie goes for the pull but misses.

Good length and outside off, Andy Balbirnie steers it away towards point.

Touch fuller and on middle, Andy Balbirnie keeps it out to the off side.

Back of a length and on off, Andy Balbirnie punches it to cover-point.

Fuller one and around off, Paul Stirling steps across and tries to swipe it away but gets an inside edge towards square leg. AM Ghazanfar makes a good stop.

FOUR! Connects well this time! Just back of a length and around off. Paul Stirling moves across again and heaves it away over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Back of a length and on off, nips back in, Paul Stirling steps across to play but gets an inside edge towards short fine for a single.

Hard length and outside off, Andy Balbirnie tries to reach out but stabs it out off the bottom half of the bat to cover.

Just wide! Yamin Ahmadzai goes fuller and around off, Andy Balbirnie looks to drive but gets an outside edge just past the diving gully fielder. They cross.

Appeal for LBW, but turned down! Full again and on on middle, angling in, Paul Stirling steps across and tries to whip it away but misses and gets hit on the pads. Looks clsoe but not enough for the umpire.

Back of a length and on off, Andy Balbirnie stays back and punches it to short cover.

Goes fuller and on middle, angling in, Andy Balbirnie knocks it to mid on. Not much intent from the Irish batters so far.

Full again and on middle, Andy Balbirnie tucks it away towards short mid-wicket. Paul Stirling sets off for the run but is sent back. Rashid Khan scores a direct hit by flicking the ball between his legs at the bowler's end, but Stirling has made his ground.

Good length and on middle, angling in, Andy Balbirnie looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Short of a length and just outside off, Andy Balbirnie chops it down towards point.

Back-to-back maidens from Azmatullah Omarzai! He bowls this on a nagging length, just around off. Andy Balbirnie leaves it alone.

Fuller one and on middle, Andy Balbirnie blocks it out with a straight bat.

No runs in the last 11 balls! Back of a length and just outside off, Andy Balbirnie lifts his arms and lets it go to the keeper.

WIDE! Errs in line and serves this full, angling down the leg side, Andy Balbirnie tries to flick but misses. Given a wide.

Hits the deck hard and in the channel outside off, shaping away, Andy Balbirnie offers no shot at it.

Good length and just around off, moves away again. Andy Balbirnie pushes at it with hard hands but gets beaten on the outside edge. Rahmanullah Gurbaz grabs it behind the stumps and starts running forward, throwing the ball in the air. He thinks there is an edge but does not get much support.

FOUR! Put away! Short of a length and well outside off. Andy Balbirnie gets the chance to free his arms and crunches it through point for a boundary.

Hard length and around off, Andy Balbirnie stabs it out through backward point for one.

Lands this on a good length and on off, holds its line, Paul Stirling gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.

A bit fuller and around off, Paul Stirling uses his feet but stabs it off the bottom edge towards mid off.

Back of a length and on middle and leg, angling in. Paul Stirling misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. It rolls to the leg side, and Andy Balbirnie wants the run but is sent back.

Fuller delivery, on middle, Paul Stirling knocks it to mid on. Four dots on the trot now!

Just short of a length and on middle, straightens a bit. Paul Stirling gets squared up but manages to pat i down to short cover.

Maiden over! Hard length and on off, Paul Stirling keeps it out to the off side.

WIDE! Yamin Ahmadzai begins with a good-length delivery, angling down the leg side. Paul Stirling fails to glance it away. Wided.

Absolute jaffa! Just a bit full and around off, jags back in a long way. Paul Stirling looks to drive but gets cut in half as the ball zips past the inside edge. Rahmanullah Gurbaz flings to his left to make a fine grab.

Pitched up and on off, shaping away, Paul Stirling looks to push it but gets an outside edge along the ground towards deep third for a single.

Pulls his length back, on middle, and straightens off the deck. Andy Balbirnie looks to work it across the line but gets a leading edge towards cover, where Hashmatullah Shahidi lets it through and allows a couple of runs.

Hard length and on middle, angling in, Andy Balbirnie blocks it out.

Back of a length and just outside off, Andy Balbirnie steps across and tries to cut but gets a bottom edge onto the ground as the ball rolls past the stumps.

On a length and on middle, Andy Balbirnie tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Azmatullah Omarzai starts with a fuller delivery, on off, Andy Balbirnie knocks it with a straight bat to mid off.

Good-length delivery, around off, Andy Balbirnie pushes it away to cover.

Beauty! Azmatullah Omarzai goes a bit fuller and in the channel outside off, shaping it away. Andy Balbirnie has a poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Pitched up and on middle, angling into the pads. Andy Balbirnie brings his wrists into play and flicks it with excellent timing through mid-wicket for the first boundary of the chase. Ireland are up and running.

Fuller once more, on off, Andy Balbirnie blocks it out from his crease.

Short of a length and on off, Andy Balbirnie stays back and keeps it out to the off side.