| 0.0 : Hello and welcome to the Harare Sports Club, for the decider as to who will be the last team to book a seat for the World Cup 2019. Zimbabwe's defeat against UAE has made this dead rubber clash the most interesting match of this competition. The last match of the Super Sixes stage happens to be a clash between Ireland and Afghanistan. Both teams have had a bit of luck going their way but today they will have to pull up their socks and perform as to go through to the mega event. Let's hope that t |
| Toss - Ireland win the toss and elect to bat first. |
| William Porterfield, Ireland captain, says it is a used pitch. Admits they had a couple of days off and they have been preparing well. Mentions they will like to take it ball by ball and not look too far ahead. Informs They are unchanged from the last game. |
| Asghar Stanikzai, Afghanistan captain, says they are well assured of their bowlers to step up with the help of the wicket which has a bit of moisture on it. Reckons that he is only 75% it but for him the country is more important. Adds that they will enjoy this pressure game and give their best. Ends by saying that there is no change to their side. |
| Ireland playing XI - William Porterfield (C), Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie, Niall O'Brien (WK), Kevin O'Brien, Simi Singh, Gary Wilson, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Boyd Rankin, Tim Murtagh. |
| Afghanistan playing XI - Mohammad Shahzad (WK), Gulbadin Naib, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Stanikzai (C), Samiullah Shenwari, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Dawlat Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman. |
| Pitch report - Ian Bishop says there is some grass in the center of the wicket which will assist the fast bowlers early with some seam movement. Adds further the batsmen need to be watchful at the start of their innings. |
| We are done and dusted with the national anthems of the respective teams. The umpires are out in the middle. Afghanistan team are in a huddle. William Porterfield and Paul Stirling will open the innings for Ireland. Dawlat Zadran will have the new ball in hand. Let's get this underway. Decider! |
| 0.1 : D Zadran to W Porterfield, Good start by Dawlat. He runs in hard and lands it on a good length spot outside off stump. The batsman shoulders arms to it. |
| 0.2 : D Zadran to W Porterfield, This one seamed away a little. The bowler pitches it around the 5th stump line and Porterfield lets it go with ease. |
| 0.3 : D Zadran to W Porterfield, Back of a length ball around the off stump line, seaming towards the batsman a little. The batsman tries to play at it but gets hit high on the thigh pad. |
| 0.4 : D Zadran to W Porterfield, First run for Ireland. Full delivery driven straight back to the bowler. Dawlat tries to stop it but is not able to do it cleanly. The ball deflects towards mid off and the batsmen steal a single. |
| 0.5 : D Zadran to P Stirling, Stirling gets off the mark with a single. Full delivery outside off stump, driven to covers. The fielder does well to make a diving save but cannot stop the batsmen from taking a single. |
| 0.6 : D Zadran to W Porterfield, Back of a length delivery, defended off the back foot. 2 runs off the first over. |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman will start from other end. |
| 1.1 : Ur Rahman to P Stirling, Wide! The bowler starts by drifting it down the leg side. The umpire signals it a wide. |
| Ur Rahman to P Stirling, Tossed up delivery around the middle and leg stump line. Stirling sweeps it to short fine leg fielder. |
| 1.2 : Ur Rahman to P Stirling, Flighted delivery outside off stump. Stirling tries to sweep at it but gets hit high on his forearm. |
| 1.3 : Ur Rahman to P Stirling, Stirling comes forward and defends a flighted delivery off the front foot. |
| 1.4 : Ur Rahman to P Stirling, Swept to the left of the short fine leg fielder for a brace. |
| 1.5 : Ur Rahman to P Stirling, The bowler drifts a tossed up delivery on the legs. Stirling clips it to square leg for a couple of runs. |
| 1.6 : Ur Rahman to P Stirling, Floated delivery outside off stump, defended off the front foot. |
| 2.1 : D Zadran to W Porterfield, Back of a length delivery outside off stump, defended off the back foot. |
| 2.2 : D Zadran to W Porterfield, In the air.. but safe. Good length delivery outside off stump, Porterfield tries to push at it. The ball takes the outside edge and flies to the third man fielder for a single. |
| 2.3 : D Zadran to P Stirling, Length ball outside off stump, defended off the front foot. |
| 2.4 : D Zadran to P Stirling, FOUR! Terrific shot! He picked the length up and got in the position early. Short delivery outside off stump, Stirling stood tall and pulled it to mid-wicket for the first boundary of many more to come. |
| 2.5 : D Zadran to P Stirling, Good comeback by the bowler. He bowls a full length delivery outside off stump, Stirling drives it back to the bowler. |
| 2.6 : D Zadran to P Stirling, Good length delivery in the middle stump line, defended off the front foot. |
| 3.1 : Ur Rahman to W Porterfield, Clipped to square leg for a single. |
| 3.2 : Ur Rahman to P Stirling, Tossed up delivery on the middle stump line, played with ease to mid-wicket. |
| 3.3 : Ur Rahman to P Stirling, Flighted delivery outside off stump, Stirling plays a square drive towards the point region. The fielder does well to make a diving save. |
| 3.4 : Ur Rahman to P Stirling, The bowler drifts a full ball down the leg side. Stirling tries to sweep it but gets hit low on his pads. The ball runs to short fine leg. One run taken. |
| 3.5 : Ur Rahman to W Porterfield, Tossed up delivery, defended off the front foot. |
| 3.6 : Ur Rahman to W Porterfield, Well bowled! The ball moved away after pitching. The batsman tried to play at it but gets beaten. The Afghan team goes up but the umpire is unmoved. |
| 4.1 : D Zadran to P Stirling, Back of a length delivery around the off stump line, defended from within the crease. |
| 4.2 : D Zadran to P Stirling, Big appeal, but the umpire does not move an inch. The team in Blue were confident about it. Dawlat lands it on a back of a length outside the off stump line and the ball seamed in a bit. Stirling tries to pull it but he seems to have missed. No harm done. |
| 4.3 : D Zadran to P Stirling, Length delivery defended off the front foot. |
| 4.4 : D Zadran to P Stirling, Stirling comes forward and defends it to covers. |
| 4.5 : D Zadran to P Stirling, Back of a length delivery outside off stump, Stirling runs it to third man for a single. |
| 4.6 : D Zadran to W Porterfield, That was a beauty! The bowler lands it on a driving length around the off stump line, seaming away from the batsman. The skipper tries to play at it but gets beaten. |
| 5.1 : Ur Rahman to P Stirling, The ball takes the outside edge and runs to short third man. One run taken. |
| 5.2 : Ur Rahman to W Porterfield, Tossed up delivery outside off stump. Porterfield tries to play a reverse sweep but fails to make any connection. |
| 5.3 : Ur Rahman to W Porterfield, Flighted delivery, a tad short in the middle stump line. The batsman defends it off the back foot. |
| 5.4 : Ur Rahman to W Porterfield, FOUR! Sloppy fielding at covers cost the team a boundary. Short delivery outside off stump, Porterfield punches it past covers for a boundary. |
| 5.5 : Ur Rahman to W Porterfield, Yet another bad ball and Porterfield makes full use of it. He goes back and pulls it towards mid-wicket for a brace. Due to the rain, the outfield is quite slow which is why it is restricted to just a couple of runs. Any other day it was a definite boundary. |
| 5.6 : Ur Rahman to W Porterfield, Tossed up delivery, defended off the front foot. |
| 6.1 : D Zadran to P Stirling, Stirling comes late at the delivery. He tries to drive a full delivery but the ball takes the inside half of the bat and runs to mid-wicket. |
| 6.2 : D Zadran to P Stirling, Full delivery outside off stump, driven hard but straight to the fielder at covers. |
| 6.3 : D Zadran to P Stirling, Back of a length delivery around the off stump line, defended off the front foot. |
| 6.4 : D Zadran to P Stirling, Good length delivery, seaming in towards the batsman. Stirling defends it off the back foot. |
| 6.5 : D Zadran to P Stirling, Short delivery banged in outside the off stump line, played to mid-wicket for a quick single. |
| 6.6 : D Zadran to W Porterfield, Quick running by the batsmen. Porterfield plays at a back of a length delivery with soft hands. The ball rolls near the pitch area. One run taken. |
| 7.1 : Ur Rahman to W Porterfield, Straight delivery outside off stump, defended to point. |
| 7.2 : Ur Rahman to W Porterfield, Wide! The bowler drags it full down the leg side. The batsman tries to sweep it but misses it. The umpires signals it a wide. |
| Ur Rahman to W Porterfield, That was full and quick, coming towards the batsman. Porterfield misses it and gets struck on his pads. The ball was drifting down the leg side. |
| 7.3 : Ur Rahman to W Porterfield, Tossed up delivery, defended off the front foot. |
| 7.4 : Ur Rahman to W Porterfield, Porterfield misses the googly. He tries to defend the ball but gets beaten. |
| 7.5 : Ur Rahman to W Porterfield, A low full toss outside off stump, reverse swept to point. |
| 7.6 : Ur Rahman to W Porterfield, Tossed up this time on the shorter side. Defended off the back foot. |
| 8.1 : D Zadran to P Stirling, FOUR! Well struck by the batsman. Length delivery around the middle stump line, lifted over mid-wicket for a boundary. Good positive start by Ireland. |
| 8.2 : D Zadran to P Stirling, Stirling comes down the track and tries to flick it off his hips but misses the ball completely. The ball strikes him high on his pads and runs to the fine leg region. The batsmen change ends. The replays show that height was the issue. |
| 8.3 : D Zadran to W Porterfield, Good length delivery outside off stump, Porterfield tries to drive it but the ball gets past the outside edge. |
| 8.4 : D Zadran to W Porterfield, Tapped to mid off for a quick single. |
| 8.5 : D Zadran to P Stirling, FOUR! Poor by the bowler. He brought the third man up inside the circle for this delivery and bowled it down the wrong channel. Back of a length delivery outside off stump, not what his captain wanted him to bowl. Stirling stands tall and slaps it through covers for a boundary. |
| 8.6 : D Zadran to P Stirling, Full delivery driven straight back for a single. |
| 9.1 : Ur Rahman to P Stirling, Short and wide outside off stump. Stirling tries to cut but fails to put bat to it. |
| 9.2 : Ur Rahman to P Stirling, Swept through the square leg region for a single. |
| 9.3 : Ur Rahman to W Porterfield, That came back in sharply and Porterfield gets his bat down in time. Tossed up delivery around the off stump line, turning in towards the batsman. The batsman was caught in two minds as to what to do but manages to defend it away. |
| 9.4 : Ur Rahman to W Porterfield, Flighted delivery, played to mid-wicket. |
| 9.5 : Ur Rahman to W Porterfield, Floated ball towards the batsman, Porterfield gets forward and defends it. |
| 9.6 : Ur Rahman to W Porterfield, That was close, very close! The ball turned towards the batsman as he tried to defend it off the front foot. It strikes him on the pads. To the naked eye it looked out but the umpire had his own views on it. 37-0 after 10 overs. |
| Powerplay 2 has been signalled. 4 fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the 40th over. |
| Gulbadin Naib comes into the attack. |
| 10.1 : G Naib to P Stirling, Starts by dragging it down the leg side. Stirling tries to clip it but gets hit on the pads and goes to the keeper. The keeper goes up for the appeal but nothing from the umpire. |
| 10.2 : G Naib to P Stirling, The batsman moves across to the off side and tries to flick it off his hips. The ball hits him on his thigh pad and rolls to leg side. They sneak in a leg bye. |
| 10.3 : G Naib to W Porterfield, Back of a length delivery outside off stump, punched to sweeper cover for a brace. |
| 10.4 : G Naib to W Porterfield, Good length delivery outside off stump, played to the point region. |
| 10.5 : G Naib to W Porterfield, Defended off the back foot to point region. |
| 10.6 : G Naib to W Porterfield, Straighter delivery in the middle stump line, Porterfield defends it off the front foot. Good first over by Naib. |
| Mohammad Nabi comes into the attack. |
| 11.1 : M Nabi to P Stirling, Starts by tossing it up around the off stump. Stirling comes charging down and defends it off the front foot. |
| 11.2 : M Nabi to P Stirling, Played with soft hands to point for a quick single. |
| 11.3 : M Nabi to W Porterfield, Flighted delivery, defended off the front foot. |
| 11.4 : M Nabi to W Porterfield, Nabi floats it around the off stump line, Porterfield defends it from within the crease. |
| 11.5 : M Nabi to W Porterfield, FOUR! Whacked away! Nabi bowls it quick and short outside off. Porterfield pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 11.6 : M Nabi to W Porterfield, Punched to covers to end the over with a dot ball. 5 runs came off Nabi's first over. |
| 12.1 : G Naib to P Stirling, Full length delivery played with ease to wide of mid on. One run taken. |
| 12.2 : G Naib to W Porterfield, Full length delivery outside the off stump line. Porterfield gets the outside edge and the ball runs to the third man area. The batsmen change ends. |
| 12.3 : G Naib to P Stirling, Play and a miss. Back of a length delivery outside off stump, Stirling tries to slap it but misses. |
| 12.4 : G Naib to P Stirling, Another edge which runs down to the third man region for a single. |
| 12.5 : G Naib to W Porterfield, Back of a length delivery outside off stump, defended off the back foot. |
| 12.6 : G Naib to W Porterfield, Length delivery angling in towards the batsman. Porterfield pushes it to covers. |
| 13.1 : M Nabi to P Stirling, Tossed up delivery, driven straight back. |
| 13.2 : M Nabi to P Stirling, Swept along the ground to square leg for a run. |
| 13.3 : M Nabi to W Porterfield, Flighted delivery around the off stump channel, played with soft hands. |
| 13.4 : M Nabi to W Porterfield, Tossed up delivery dragged short, worked to fine leg for a run. This brings up the fifty partnership. They have done it with ease. |
| 13.5 : M Nabi to P Stirling, Flighted delivery outside off stump, Stirling drives it hard to covers. The fielder does well to make a diving save. |
| 13.6 : M Nabi to P Stirling, Worked up mid-wicket for an easy single. |
| 14.1 : G Naib to P Stirling, Slower one, full and outside off. Stirling drives it to mid on. |
| 14.2 : G Naib to P Stirling, Full delivery in the middle stump line, driven back to the bowler. |
| 14.3 : G Naib to P Stirling, Back of a length delivery, angling in towards the batsman. Played to mid-wicket. |
| 14.4 : G Naib to P Stirling, Back of a length around the off stump line. Stirling shuffles a bit and plays it back to the bowler. |
| 14.5 : G Naib to P Stirling, Good shot! Length delivery driven to long on for a run. |
| 14.6 : G Naib to W Porterfield, Back of a length delivery angling towards the batsman. Porterfield runs it down with ease to third man for a single. |
| 15.1 : M Nabi to W Porterfield, Full delivery darted in full outside off stump. The batsman tries to reverse sweep it but fails to put bat to it. |
| 15.2 : M Nabi to W Porterfield, OUT! The skipper picked out the fielder perfectly. Tossed up delivery around the leg stump line. Porterfield tries to flick it but could not keep it down. The ball goes to mid-wicket where Rahmat shah pouches it comfortably. End to a 53-run stand and its Nabi who proivdes the Afghan team with the breakthrough. |
| Andrew Balbirnie comes into bat. |
| 15.3 : M Nabi to A Balbirnie, Nudged to backward point for a single. |
| 15.4 : M Nabi to P Stirling, Tossed up delivery outside off stump, played towards point for another run. |
| 15.5 : M Nabi to A Balbirnie, Back foot punch to the mid-wicket region. |
| 15.6 : M Nabi to A Balbirnie, Flighted delivery around the middle stump line, driven to long on. One run taken. A successful over for Afghanistan. |
| Sharafuddin Ashraf comes into the attack. |
| 16.1 : S Ashraf to A Balbirnie, Tossed up delivery outside the off stump line, Balbirnie lets it go to the keeper. |
| 16.2 : S Ashraf to A Balbirnie, Flighted delivery pushed to cover point. |
| 16.3 : S Ashraf to A Balbirnie, Floated delivery full outside the off stump line, driven hard to covers. |
| 16.4 : S Ashraf to A Balbirnie, Short delivery outside off stump, cut to point. |
| 16.5 : S Ashraf to A Balbirnie, Flighted delivery short outside the off stump, punched to covers. |
| 16.6 : S Ashraf to A Balbirnie, Tossed up delivery, defended off the front foot. |
| Gulbadin Naib will have change of ends. |
| 17.1 : G Naib to P Stirling, Full delivery outside the off stump line, driven to covers. One run taken. |
| 17.2 : G Naib to A Balbirnie, Length ball, driven past covers for a single. |
| 17.3 : G Naib to P Stirling, Short delivery wide outside off stump. Stirling pulls it over mid-wicket. Due to the wet outfield, the ball does not reach the boundary but the batsmen pick up a couple. |
| 17.4 : G Naib to P Stirling, Another short delivery banged in towards the batsman, pulled to square leg for a single. |
| 17.5 : G Naib to A Balbirnie, That was close to the dge! Back of a length delivery outside off stump. The batsman tried to cut it but fails to put bat to it. |
| 17.6 : G Naib to A Balbirnie, Length delivery, pushed to covers. |
| Drinks are on the field. |
| 18.1 : S Ashraf to P Stirling, Uses his feet to get to the pitch, but can't make connection with the bat. Off the pads it falls besides him. |
| 18.2 : S Ashraf to P Stirling, Takes a nice, big stride forward and drives it through mid off for a single. |
| 18.3 : S Ashraf to A Balbirnie, Tossed up delivery outside off, Balbirnie pushes it into the covers for no run. |
| 18.4 : S Ashraf to A Balbirnie, Swept away on the leg side. No run taken. |
| 18.5 : S Ashraf to A Balbirnie, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 18.6 : S Ashraf to A Balbirnie, Loud shout for an lbw, it's turned down. Pretty close, that. Tossed up on leg, it spins towards off and catches Balbirnie low on the front pad when he misses his sweep shot. |
| 19.1 : G Naib to P Stirling, Slower delivery back of a length outside off stump. Strirling drives it to covers. The fielder misfields and the ball runs to sweeper cover. They take a single. |
| 19.2 : G Naib to A Balbirnie, Back of a length delivery outside off stump, cut to point. |
| 19.3 : G Naib to A Balbirnie, Good length delivery around the off stump line, played with ease to the point region. |
| 19.4 : G Naib to A Balbirnie, Full length delivery outside off, driven to mid off for a quick run. |
| 19.5 : G Naib to P Stirling, Stirling taps it to point and wants a quick single but his partner decides against it. |
| 19.6 : G Naib to P Stirling, Length delviery outside off stump, the ball takes the outside edge as Stirling tries to drive. One run taken as the ball runs to third man. |
| 20.1 : S Ashraf to P Stirling, Tossed up delivery around off stump, played to covers. |
| 20.2 : S Ashraf to P Stirling, Short and wide delivery slapped to cover point for a run. |
| 20.3 : S Ashraf to A Balbirnie, Tossed up delivery around the leg stump line, worked to mid-wicket. |
| 20.4 : S Ashraf to A Balbirnie, A push off the back foot to covers for a run. |
| 20.5 : S Ashraf to P Stirling, In the air.... but safe. Tossed up delivery in the driving length area. Stirling pushes hard at it. The ball lobs towards covers but just drops in front of the fielder. |
| 20.6 : S Ashraf to P Stirling, Stirling charges down the track and defends it off the front foot. |
| Rashid Khan comes into the attack. A wicket coming up? |
| 21.1 : R Khan to A Balbirnie, Starts by bowling it quick and short on the stump. Pushed to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 21.2 : R Khan to P Stirling, Short delivery outside off stump, punched to covers. |
| 21.3 : R Khan to P Stirling, Tossed up delivery driven to long off for a run. |
| 21.4 : R Khan to A Balbirnie, Googly had almost done the trick. Quick and full around the off stump line. The batsman tries to drive it but finds the inside edge of the bat. The ball runs to the leg side for no run. |
| 21.5 : R Khan to A Balbirnie, Close to the outside edge, but nothing from the umpire. Short and wide outside off, Balbirnie tries to cut it but fails. |
| 21.6 : R Khan to A Balbirnie, Pushed to covers for an easy single. |
| 22.1 : S Ashraf to A Balbirnie, Tossed up delivery, jabbed to covers for a run. |
| 22.2 : S Ashraf to P Stirling, The bowler got turn on this one. Tossed up delivery around the off stump line, Stirling tries to defend it but gets the outside edge. The ball runs to third man region and they take a couple. |
| 22.3 : S Ashraf to P Stirling, Quick and full on the middle stump line. Stirling tries to sweep it but gets a bottom edge on it. The ball runs to mid-wicket for a run. |
| Stirling seems to be in some trouble. Physio is out in the middle to have a look. |
| 22.4 : S Ashraf to A Balbirnie, Tossed up delivery driven to covers. |
| 22.5 : S Ashraf to A Balbirnie, That was a good sweep. Flighted delivery around the off stump channel, swept with ease to deep mid-wicket. Two runs taken. |
| 22.6 : S Ashraf to A Balbirnie, Quicker delivery on the leg stump, played to mid-wicket for a run. |
| 23.1 : R Khan to A Balbirnie, The batsman tries to sweep this googly out of trouble. The ball takes the inside edge and hits him on his boots. |
| 23.2 : R Khan to A Balbirnie, Almost had his man. Another googly this time quick and a bit short, the batsman does well to bring his bat down in time. |
| 23.3 : R Khan to A Balbirnie, That was quick on the stump, the batsman does well to block it. |
| 23.4 : R Khan to A Balbirnie, Tossed up delivery outside off stump, driven to covers. |
| 23.5 : R Khan to A Balbirnie, OUT! He was looking in trouble against the leggie and now has to have a long walk back to the pavilion. He did set him up lovely with three googly and followed this with a straighter one. Short and wide outside off stump, Balbirnie tries to punch it away but gets the outside edge. Shahzad collects it with ease. Rashid Khan steps up when his team needs him. |
| Niall O'Brien comes in to bat. |
| 23.6 : R Khan to N O'Brien, Worked down the leg side to get off the mark with a single. A successful over for the Afghan team. Just a run and a wicket off it. |
| 24.1 : S Ashraf to N O'Brien, Toosed up delivery on the shorter side, worked to square leg for an easy single. |
| 24.2 : S Ashraf to P Stirling, Flighted delivery around the leg stump line, played to mid-wicket. |
| 24.3 : S Ashraf to P Stirling, Floated ball, defended off the front foot. |
| 24.4 : S Ashraf to P Stirling, Quicker and coming in towards the batsman. Stirling blocks it. |
| 24.5 : S Ashraf to P Stirling, Loud LBW shout but nothing from the Umpire. Tossed up delivery around the middle stump line, turning away from the batsman. Stirling comes charging down the track and tries to flick it but gets hit on the pads. The ball had to travel a lot of distance, which is why the umpire turned it down. |
| 24.6 : S Ashraf to P Stirling, Flighted delivery, defended off the front foot. |
| 25.1 : R Khan to N O'Brien, Quick and full outside off stump, defended well off the front foot. |
| 25.2 : R Khan to N O'Brien, Tossed up delivery around the leg stump channel, pushed uppishly to mid-wicket. |
| 25.3 : R Khan to N O'Brien, FOUR! Sloppy by the captain. He tried to pick it up with one hand but ends up giving some free runs to the opposition. Tossed up delivery driven down the ground and the batsman will take register a boundary against his name. |
| 25.4 : R Khan to N O'Brien, Tossed up delivery, defended off the front foot. |
| 25.5 : R Khan to N O'Brien, Fuller and googly this time by Rashid. The batsman tries to defend it but gets beaten. |
| 25.6 : R Khan to N O'Brien, The batsman is not able to pick this young man. He is turning it both ways. The batsman does well to get an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 26.1 : R Khan to P Stirling, The batsman gets to the pitch of the ball and defends it. |
| 26.2 : R Khan to P Stirling, Gives himself some room to cut it hard but gets an inside edge on to his pads. |
| 26.3 : R Khan to P Stirling, Tossed up delivery around the off stump channel, Stirling tries to sweep it but manages to bottom edge it. |
| 26.4 : R Khan to P Stirling, SIX! That was huge! This was the first false delivery by him, he bowled it short. Stirling rocks back and pulls it over mid-wicket for a maximum. |
| 26.5 : R Khan to P Stirling, Tossed up delivery, pushed to mid-wicket. |
| Nabi comes back into the attack. |
| 26.6 : S Ashraf to P Stirling, Short delivery, cut to point for a single. |
| 27.1 : M Nabi to P Stirling, Short delivery outside off, pushed to cover-point for a run. |
| 27.2 : M Nabi to N O'Brien, Full and quick delivery, defended off the front foot. |
| 27.3 : M Nabi to N O'Brien, FOUR! Full and wide outside off, Niall goes for the sweep but manages to find the inside edge to it. The ball runs to fine leg for a boundary. |
| 27.4 : M Nabi to N O'Brien, Quicker delivery on the stumps, blocked away. |
| 27.5 : M Nabi to N O'Brien, Struck hard to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 27.6 : M Nabi to P Stirling, Tossed up delivery pushed to covers for a quick single. This brings up 16th ODI fifty for him. He needs to carry on for his side. |
| 28.1 : R Khan to P Stirling, Played to backward square leg for an easy run. |
| 28.2 : R Khan to N O'Brien, Full and on the leg stump this time. He works it to mid-wicket. |
| 28.3 : R Khan to N O'Brien, Tossed up delivery driven to long on. One run taken. |
| 28.4 : R Khan to P Stirling, Looped up delivery outside off stump, driven to long on for a single. |
| 28.5 : R Khan to N O'Brien, Short delivery around the off stump line, punched to long off for a single. |
| 28.6 : R Khan to P Stirling, Tossed up delivery outside off stump, driven to covers for a run. |
| 29.1 : M Nabi to P Stirling, Quick and full on the stumps, defended off the front foot. |
| 29.2 : M Nabi to P Stirling, Tossed up delivery, around the off stump channel. Stirling comes dancing down and plays it to long on for a run. |
| 29.3 : M Nabi to N O'Brien, FOUR! That's really well played. Tossed up delivery outside off stump, Niall reverse sweeps it over the short third man region for a boundary. |
| 29.4 : M Nabi to N O'Brien, Quicker delivery outside off, pushed to covers. |
| 29.5 : M Nabi to N O'Brien, Full delivery, darted in towards the batsman's legs. Blocked to mid-wicket. |
| 29.6 : M Nabi to N O'Brien, Floated delivery around the off stump line in the shorter side. The batsman defends it off the back foot. |
| 30.1 : R Khan to P Stirling, Google hit high on his pads and also going down the leg side. Stirling didn't pick it up. |
| 30.2 : R Khan to P Stirling, They are not able to read him. Yet another googly, Stirling tries to defend it but the ball finds the inside edge. It runs to square leg for a run. |
| 30.3 : R Khan to N O'Brien, Beaten. Another googly and Niall tries to defend it but fails to put bat to it. |
| 30.4 : R Khan to N O'Brien, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 30.5 : R Khan to N O'Brien, Another googly, played with sift hands to point. |
| 30.6 : R Khan to P Stirling, Quicker and full this time, played off the front foot. Rashid has been bowling beautifully. |
| 31.1 : M Nabi to N O'Brien, Beaten! Beautifully bowled. Gave it some air as he lands it in a driving length outside the off stump line. Niall tries to drive it but fails to make a connection with the bat. |
| 31.2 : M Nabi to N O'Brien, Wide! Nabi drags it full down the leg side, umpire signals it a wide. |
| M Nabi to N O'Brien, SIX! That's a good strike. Tossed up delivery around the middle stump line. Niall comes charging down and lofts it over long on for a maximum. |
| 31.3 : M Nabi to N O'Brien, FOUR! A maximum followed up by a boundary. Floated delivery, full outside off stump. The batsman slog sweeps it over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 31.4 : M Nabi to N O'Brien, Sensible cricket! Worked it off his hips to square leg for a single. |
| 31.5 : M Nabi to P Stirling, Stirling opens the face of the bat and works it to point. |
| 31.6 : M Nabi to P Stirling, Tossed up delivery, pushed to covers. Good comeback by Nabi after being hit for a boundary and a maximum. |
| 32.1 : Ur Rahman to N O'Brien, Tossed up delivery, around the off stump line, defended off the back foot. |
| 0.0 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman into the attack now. |
| Run out appeal against Paul Stirling is referred upstairs. |
| 32.2 : Ur Rahman to N O'Brien, OUT! Mujeeb was brought on to proved a wicket and he has done it. Not in the way he would have hoped for but they would be happy to see Stirling's back. Tossed up delivery around the off stump line, the batsman reverse sweeps it to point. There was a yes and no in between the batsmen as to take a run or decide against it. Stirling was half way down the wicket. Najibullah Zadran picks up the throw and gives it to Mujeeb at non strikers end. He took the bails off in f |
| Simi Singh next in to bat. |
| 32.3 : Ur Rahman to N O'Brien, Punched off the back foot to covers for a run. |
| 32.4 : Ur Rahman to S Singh, Googly from outside the off stump. Singh tries to defend it off the front foot but gets hit on his pads. It was struck outside the off stump line. |
| 32.5 : Ur Rahman to S Singh, Tossed up delivery, defended off the front foot. |
| 32.6 : Ur Rahman to S Singh, Floated delivery, Singh does well to block it away. |
| 33.1 : M Nabi to N O'Brien, Full and wide outside off stump, blocked by the batsman. |
| 33.2 : M Nabi to N O'Brien, Tossed up delivery outside the off stump. Niall tries to drive it but finds the bottom edge to it. The ball runs back to the bowler. |
| 33.3 : M Nabi to N O'Brien, Quicker delivery pushed to covers. |
| 33.4 : M Nabi to N O'Brien, Tossed up delivery around the off stump channel, played to wide off point for a run. |
| 33.5 : M Nabi to S Singh, Floated delivery flicked to square leg. |
| 33.6 : M Nabi to S Singh, Quick and full this time by Nabi. Driven hard to mid on. |
| 34.1 : Ur Rahman to N O'Brien, Flatter delivery, defended off the back foot. |
| 34.2 : Ur Rahman to N O'Brien, Tossed up delivery outside off stump, worked to point. |
| 34.3 : Ur Rahman to N O'Brien, Flighted delivery around off stump, Niall sweeps it through the square leg region. Dawlat does well with his foot to save a run for his side. Three runs taken. |
| 34.4 : Ur Rahman to S Singh, Swept to square leg for a single. |
| 34.5 : Ur Rahman to N O'Brien, Beaten. This one turned away from the batsman. He tries to defend it off the back foot but fails to make any connection. |
| 34.6 : Ur Rahman to N O'Brien, Shorter in length this time, punched to covers for a single. |
| Dawlat Zadran comes back on. |
| 35.1 : D Zadran to N O'Brien, Back of a length delivery outside off stump, played to point. |
| 35.2 : D Zadran to N O'Brien, Short delivery outside off stump, cut to the right of the point fielder. An easy single taken. |
| 35.3 : D Zadran to S Singh, Full delivery outside the off stump, played with soft hands towards covers. One run taken. |
| 35.4 : D Zadran to N O'Brien, OUT! The change of bowling has done the trick for yet another time. Full outside off which was asking to be put away. He drives it in air towards covers. Samiullah Shenwari takes an easy catch. Niall goes back in the hut after a decent start. |
| Drinks are on the field. |
| Kevin O' Brien walks in next. |
| 35.5 : D Zadran to K O'Brien, Punched off the back foot to covers for a run. |
| 35.6 : D Zadran to S Singh, Back of a length delivery outside the off stump, played to point. |
| 36.1 : Ur Rahman to K O'Brien, Tossed up delivery outside off, driven to long off for a single. |
| 36.2 : Ur Rahman to S Singh, Floated delivery outside off stump. Singh tires to sweep it but gets hit on his pads. The impact was outside off stump. |
| 36.3 : Ur Rahman to S Singh, Beaten! This was quick and on the shorter side outside off stump. Singh tries to work it away but fails as the ball straightens after pitching. |
| 36.4 : Ur Rahman to S Singh, Singh tries to work it away to the leg side, dancing down the track. The ball hits on the pads and rolls to point. No run taken. |
| 36.5 : Ur Rahman to S Singh, Cut to point with ease for a single. |
| 36.6 : Ur Rahman to K O'Brien, Tossed up delivery, played to mid-wicket. Just 2 runs off the over. |
| 37.1 : D Zadran to S Singh, Short delivery banged in towards the batsman, played to square leg for a run. |
| 37.2 : D Zadran to K O'Brien, Back of a length delivery outside off stump, played to point. |
| 37.3 : D Zadran to K O'Brien, Slower delivery on a back of a length around the off stump line, defended back to the bowler. |
| 37.4 : D Zadran to K O'Brien, Quick delivery on a back of a length outside the off stump channel, guided to third man. One run taken. |
| 37.5 : D Zadran to S Singh, The umpire shakes his head.Full delivery drifting down the leg side. Singh misses the flick as it hits his pads and goes to the keeper. They go up for the appeal but the umpire is unmoved. |
| 37.6 : D Zadran to S Singh, Short delivery, pulled aerially towards fine leg for a single. |
| Rashid Khan comes back into the attack. |
| 38.1 : R Khan to S Singh, Quicker and full around the off stump line, played to mid-wicket. |
| 38.2 : R Khan to S Singh, Tossed up delivery, played to square leg for a run. |
| 38.3 : R Khan to K O'Brien, Quick and full on the leg stump line, worked to long on. One run taken. |
| 38.4 : R Khan to S Singh, Tossed up delivery turning away from the batsman outside the off stump channel. Singh tries to sweep it but gets hit on his pads. |
| 38.5 : R Khan to S Singh, Quicker ball played to mid-wicket. |
| 38.6 : R Khan to S Singh, Wide! Rashid drifts a quicker delviery down the leg side. The umpire signals it a wide. |
| R Khan to S Singh, Full delivery, played with soft hands to long on. Singh will keep the strike for next over. |
| Nabi comes into the attack. |
| 39.1 : M Nabi to S Singh, Tossed up delivery, played to mid-wicket. |
| 39.2 : M Nabi to S Singh, Short and wide outside off stump, punched to point. |
| 39.3 : M Nabi to S Singh, Quicker delivery outside off stump, punched to covers for a single. |
| 39.4 : M Nabi to K O'Brien, Tossed up delivery, driven back to the bowler. |
| 39.5 : M Nabi to K O'Brien, Worked off his hips to square leg for a run. |
| 39.6 : M Nabi to S Singh, Quicker delivery, full on the leg stump. Played to long on for a run. |
| Powerplay 3 has been signalled. 5 fielders are allowed outside the circle. |
| 40.1 : R Khan to S Singh, DROPPED! That was straight forward and Nabi had to collect it. Tossed up delivery outside the off stump line, Singh pushes at it. The ball finds the outside edge to first slip. Nabi gets hand to it but fails to pouch it. |
| 40.2 : R Khan to S Singh, Tossed up delivery driven to covers for a couple of runs. |
| 40.3 : R Khan to S Singh, Googly from outside the off stump channel. Singh tries to defend it but gets struck high on his pads. |
| 40.4 : R Khan to S Singh, FOUR! Quick and short by Rashid. Singh opens the face of the bat and runs it down to the third man fence. |
| 40.5 : R Khan to S Singh, Another googly by Rashid. He bowls it around the off stump channel, Singh tries to defend it but gets hit on his pads on high. |
| 40.6 : R Khan to S Singh, OUT! Early drop by Nabi does not cost much and Singh walks back to the pavilion. Another googly from outside the off stump channel. Singh comes int eh line of the ball and tries to flick it away. The ball takes the edge and to the keeper. Shahzad goes to his left and collects it well. |
| Gary Wilson comes to bat |
| 41.1 : M Nabi to K O'Brien, Punched off the back foot to covers for a single. |
| 41.2 : M Nabi to G Wilson, Tossed up delivery outside off stump, pushed to point for a run. |
| 41.3 : M Nabi to K O'Brien, Floated delivery driven down the ground for a single. |
| 41.4 : M Nabi to G Wilson, Short and wide outside off stump, slapped to sweeper cover. One run taken. |
| 41.5 : M Nabi to K O'Brien, FOUR! Full and down the leg side. The batsman paddle sweeps it past the fine leg region for a boundary. |
| 41.6 : M Nabi to K O'Brien, Played with soft hands towards off side for a single. |
| 42.1 : R Khan to K O'Brien, Quick and on the shorter side outside off stump, Cut hard to point. |
| 42.2 : R Khan to K O'Brien, Full and quick this time by Rashid, defended off the front foot. |
| 42.3 : R Khan to K O'Brien, Short wide outside off stump, cut to sweeper cover. One run taken. These wont harm the Afghanistan team. |
| 42.4 : R Khan to G Wilson, Almost played on. Googly once again and the batsman fails tor read. Wilson somehow managed to fend it away. |
| 42.5 : R Khan to G Wilson, Flatter delivery outside the off stump line, punched to covers. |
| 42.6 : R Khan to G Wilson, Loud appeal but turned down by the umpire. Googly pitched outside the off stump channel. Wilson tries to defend it but gets hit on his pads. Replays show that the impact was outside off stump. |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman comes back on. |
| 43.1 : Ur Rahman to K O'Brien, The ball finds the outside edge of the bat and runs to the third man area. Two runs taken. |
| 43.2 : Ur Rahman to K O'Brien, Cut to point for a single. |
| 43.3 : Ur Rahman to G Wilson, Tossed up delivery around the off stump channel, swept to short fine leg for a run. |
| 43.4 : Ur Rahman to K O'Brien, Floated delivery coming in towards the batsman, defended off the back foot by Kevin. |
| 43.5 : Ur Rahman to K O'Brien, Tossed up delivery around the off stump channel, defended off the front foot. |
| 43.6 : Ur Rahman to K O'Brien, Quicker delivery outside off stump, driven hard to covers. A misfield allows them to take a single. |
| 44.1 : R Khan to K O'Brien, Google played with soft hands to square leg and good running by the batsmen allow them to come back for a couple. |
| 44.2 : R Khan to K O'Brien, Googly from around the off stump channel, blocked away. |
| 44.3 : R Khan to K O'Brien, FOUR! A rare one as to how the game has been going. Too full this time by Rashid and Kevin sweeps it past the square leg region for a boundary. |
| 44.4 : R Khan to K O'Brien, Missed chance. A full toss which had to be put away is played to long on for just a single. |
| 44.5 : R Khan to G Wilson, Swept to square leg for a single. |
| 44.6 : R Khan to K O'Brien, Flatter delviery around the off stump line, punched to sweeper cover for an easy single. |
| Dawlat Zadran comes back into the attack. |
| 45.1 : D Zadran to K O'Brien, Short delivery outside off stump, guided to third man. One run taken. |
| 45.2 : D Zadran to G Wilson, Full delivery, angling in towards the batsman. Wilson plays it to long on for a single. |
| 45.3 : D Zadran to K O'Brien, Short delivery banged in towards the batsman. Kevin pulls it to fine leg. One run taken. |
| 45.4 : D Zadran to G Wilson, Play and a miss. Another short delivery by Dawlat. Wilson tries to pull it away but fails to make any connection. |
| 45.5 : D Zadran to G Wilson, Slower bouncer outside the off stump channel by Dawlat. Wilson slaps it to point. |
| Hold on, Wilson has been caught out but the umpires want to check the front foot. |
| 45.6 : D Zadran to G Wilson, Short delivery banged in towards the batsman, Wilson tries to pull it away. But the leading edge goes straight to Gulbadin Naib at fine leg, he takes an easy catch. But to bowler's dismay he oversteps. |
| Free Hit on its way... |
| Ireland will have to make use of these last overs to get to a total of more than 200. |
| D Zadran to G Wilson, Wide! Short delivery way above the batsman's head, the umpire signals it a wide. Free Hit continues. |
| D Zadran to G Wilson, Short delivery, pulled to mid-wicket for a brace. |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman comes back into the attack. |
| 46.1 : Ur Rahman to K O'Brien, Quicker delivery, driven back to bowler. |
| 46.2 : Ur Rahman to K O'Brien, Short and wide outside off, cut to sweeper cover for an easy single. |
| 46.3 : Ur Rahman to G Wilson, Tossed up delivery around the leg stump line, swept to square leg. One run taken. |
| 46.4 : Ur Rahman to K O'Brien, A loss full toss, played to long on for a single. |
| 46.5 : Ur Rahman to G Wilson, Google by Mujeeb from outside the off stump. Wilson tries to flick it but misses. |
| 46.6 : Ur Rahman to G Wilson, Leading edge runs to the short third man region. End of a tidy spell, 10-0--31-0. |
| 47.1 : D Zadran to K O'Brien, SIX! What a shot! They need more hits like this. Short delivery and Kevin pulls it over the square leg region for a maximum. |
| 47.2 : D Zadran to K O'Brien, FOUR! Dawlat drifts on to Kevin's pads and he works it fine. The ball runs to the fine leg region for a boundary. Kevin looking to cut loose. |
| 47.3 : D Zadran to K O'Brien, Short delivery, pulled in control towards square leg for a run. |
| 47.4 : D Zadran to G Wilson, Lofted aerially towards covers. One run taken. |
| 47.5 : D Zadran to K O'Brien, Slower delivery, back of a length outside off stump. Kevin fails to put bat to it. |
| 47.6 : D Zadran to K O'Brien, Short delivery banged in towards the batsman. He fends it awkwardly and the ball runs towards the left of the stumps. They sneak in a single. |
| Rashid Khan comes back on. |
| 48.1 : R Khan to K O'Brien, OUT! Bowled'em! Cleaned him up and who else, Rashid Khan. He bowls it quick around the off stump line, you miss I hit case. Kevin tries to slog sweep it but fails to make any connection. That is 99th wicket for him. Just one away from the milestone. Can he do so? |
| 0.0 : Andy McBrine next in. |
| 48.2 : R Khan to A McBrine, Googly tossed around off, spins away and beats the outside edge of McBrine's bat as he comes forward to defend. |
| 48.3 : R Khan to A McBrine, Full but straighter in line, swept through backward square leg for two. |
| 48.4 : R Khan to A McBrine, Loopy and full outside off, goes for the reverse sweep but misses it completely. |
| 48.5 : R Khan to A McBrine, Bit wide outside off, it's hit through backward point for a run. |
| 48.6 : R Khan to G Wilson, Good running between the wickets. Pitches it on middle, Wilson moves inside the line and works it away on the leg side for a couple of runs. |
| 49.1 : D Zadran to A McBrine, Short ball on middle and leg, McBrine is hurried into the pull shot and as a result, gets a top edge over backward square leg where the ball falls safely. One run taken. |
| 49.2 : D Zadran to G Wilson, OUT! Taken! Slower short ball outside off, Wilson is a bit early into the shot, so slaps it high towards backward point. Najibullah backpedals and takes a well-judged catch. |
| Barry McCarthy will bat now. |
| 49.3 : D Zadran to A McBrine, Takes the pace off this again, on middle and off and shorter in length, McBrine swings hard and misses completely. |
| 49.4 : D Zadran to A McBrine, FOUR! All handy runs for Ireland! Short ball on off, McBrine gets a big top edge on his pull and it goes over the keeper's head. Away to the fence and that'll be a boundary. |
| A run out appeal against McCarthy is referred upstairs. |
| 49.5 : D Zadran to A McBrine, Safe! Good running between the wickets. McBrine knocks this to long on and quickly calls for the second. McCarthy reacts, comes back and slides his bat in when the bails are taken off. It goes upstairs and replays show that he's safe. |
| 49.6 : D Zadran to A McBrine, Short ball into the body, Andy McBrine rocks back and pulls it through square leg for a single. IRELAND FINISH ON 209/7! |
| Not exactly the total Ireland would have liked on the board, but from the position in which they were, they'd surely take this. They got off to a steady start courtesy their openers, and were going on steady with Paul Stirling and Niall O'Brien knitting a solid stand. But when you pace things on the slower side, you must accelerate later. Stirling was the key to that, but he got out after making a fifty. The Irish would have finished with a lower score, but Kevin O'Brien used his experience and |
| Afghanistan were terrific with the ball and in the field. Some good, tight bowling throughout was backed up athletic fielding. Never gave away any loose balls and piled on the pressure. Rashid Khan led the charge with a 3-fer while Dawlat Zadran got 2 and Mohammad Nabi bagging 1. A target of 210 is something that the Afghans would fancy. A World Cup spot is up for grabs. Should be a good second half. Join us in a while for all the action. |
| Niall O'Brien says that they have a decent score on the board as the wicket is slow. Adds they have good spinners in their side. Reckons they have to bowl and field well. Ends by saying that they have a great bunch of lads and will look to give everything it takes on the field. |
| 0.0 : The umpires are out in the middle. Mohammad Shahzad and Gulbadin Naib will open the innings for Afghanistan. Barry McCarthy will have the new ball in hand. Let's begin the run chase. |
| 0.1 : B McCarthy to M Shahzad, Short delivery banged in towards the batsman, defended off the back foot. |
| 0.2 : B McCarthy to M Shahzad, First runs for Afghanistan. Full delivery drifting down the leg side, played to square leg for a brace. |
| 0.3 : B McCarthy to M Shahzad, Wide! McCarthy drifts it down the leg side, the umpire signals it a wide. |
| B McCarthy to M Shahzad, Back of a length delivery around the off stump line, defended off the back foot. |
| 0.4 : B McCarthy to M Shahzad, Back of a length delivery, drifting down the leg side. Shahzad tries to clip it off his hips but fails to make any connection. The ball hits his thigh pad and rolls to the leg side. The sneak in a leg bye. |
| 0.5 : B McCarthy to G Naib, Full length delivery outside off stump, played to mid off. |
| 0.6 : B McCarthy to G Naib, Length delivery outside off stump, left alone. |
| Tim Murtagh will bowl from other end. |
| 1.1 : Tim Murtagh to M Shahzad, Length ball outside the off stump line, Shahzad slogs it to square leg. Two runs taken. |
| 1.2 : Tim Murtagh to M Shahzad, Back of a length delivery, defended to mid on. |
| 1.3 : Tim Murtagh to M Shahzad, Length ball around the off stump line, played off the front foot. |
| 1.4 : Tim Murtagh to M Shahzad, Back of a length delivery around the middle and leg stump, tucked to fine leg for a run. |
| 1.5 : Tim Murtagh to G Naib, Full length ball around the off stump line, defended off the front foot. |
| 1.6 : Tim Murtagh to G Naib, Back of a length ball, defended off the back foot. 3 runs came off the over. |
| 2.1 : B McCarthy to M Shahzad, Short and wide outside the off stump line, punched to covers. The fielder does well to make a diving save. |
| 2.2 : B McCarthy to M Shahzad, Slower delivery played to mid on. |
| 2.3 : B McCarthy to M Shahzad, DROPPED! But that was struck with some power. Catches like these need to stick. Length delivery around the off stump line, Shahzad hits it back to the bowler. He gets his hand to it but cannot pouch it. The ball rolls to the mid off region. |
| 2.4 : B McCarthy to M Shahzad, SIX! Bad ball and he will put you away! Full and down the leg side, Shahzad flicks it towards fine leg over the rope for a maximum. |
| 2.5 : B McCarthy to M Shahzad, FOUR! Followed it up with a good shot. He picked the slower one with ease and lofted it between mid-wicket and long-on for a boundary. |
| 2.6 : B McCarthy to M Shahzad, Another slower one but this time wide outside off stump. Shahzad gets his bat to it and the ball goes aerially towards covers. The batsmen take a couple of runs. 12 runs came off the over. |
| 3.1 : Tim Murtagh to G Naib, Length delivery shaping away from outside off, Naib pushes it away from his body on the off side. |
| 3.2 : Tim Murtagh to G Naib, Stays right behind the line and blocks it out. |
| 3.3 : Tim Murtagh to G Naib, Wide! Angles it down the leg side, wide signalled by the umpire. |
| Tim Murtagh to G Naib, Good length ball aiming the top of off stump, Naib takes a step forward and meets it with a straight blade. |
| 3.4 : Tim Murtagh to G Naib, Presents the full face of the bat as he defends it in front of covers from the crease. |
| 3.5 : Tim Murtagh to G Naib, Good firm push from Naib. Finally gets off the mark as he places it towards mid on for a single. |
| 3.6 : Tim Murtagh to M Shahzad, Outside off on a length, dabbed to the covers to end the over. |
| 4.1 : B McCarthy to G Naib, FOUR! High full toss angling in on the pads, Naib picks it off and flicks it through short fine leg for a boundary. |
| 4.2 : B McCarthy to G Naib, Short of a good length close to off, kept out off the back foot. |
| 4.3 : B McCarthy to G Naib, Shaping away from a length around off, Naib closes the face a bit early and gets a leading edge on the off side. |
| 4.4 : B McCarthy to G Naib, Full in length and outside off, driven to mid off. |
| 4.5 : B McCarthy to G Naib, Wide! Down the leg side, Naib still goes after it but misses. |
| B McCarthy to G Naib, Too full in length and outside off, defended carefully from the front foot. |
| 4.6 : B McCarthy to G Naib, Length delivery on the stumps, Naib works this wide of mid on and crosses over. |
| 5.1 : Tim Murtagh to G Naib, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 5.2 : Tim Murtagh to G Naib, Full delivery just outisde off, driven to mid on. Naib rushes to the other end and just about beats the direct hit at the bowler's end. Good running. |
| 5.3 : Tim Murtagh to G Naib, Length delivery on off stump, blocked. |
| 5.4 : Tim Murtagh to G Naib, Cutting back in on middle and leg, it's played off the inner half in front of square leg for a double. |
| 5.5 : Tim Murtagh to G Naib, Just ahead of a length, worked to mid-wicket. |
| 5.6 : Tim Murtagh to G Naib, Dot ball to end the over. Worked towards mid-wicket, straight to fielder. |
| Boyd Rankin comes into the bowling attack. |
| 6.1 : B Rankin to M Shahzad, Wide! False start for Rankin. He slips this down the leg side and the umpire raises his hands sideways. |
| B Rankin to M Shahzad, Outside off on a good length, left alone by Shahzad. |
| 6.2 : B Rankin to M Shahzad, Hangs back and blocks it with a straight bat. |
| 6.3 : B Rankin to M Shahzad, Touch short and outside off, Shahzad looks to put bat on ball but misses. |
| 6.4 : B Rankin to M Shahzad, Short but it's not short enough for Shahzad to pull this away. He mistimes this back to the bowler who collects it with ease. |
| 6.5 : B Rankin to M Shahzad, Connects well this tine. Plays it through mid-wicket for two runs. |
| 6.6 : B Rankin to M Shahzad, Plays this with soft hands. Pushes it in front of mid on and calls his partner through for the run. |
| 7.1 : Tim Murtagh to M Shahzad, Shaping back in on middle and leg, worked to mid-wicket. No run taken. |
| 7.2 : Tim Murtagh to M Shahzad, Fraction straight in line once more, Shahzad moves a step across before nudging it to the man at mid-wicket. |
| 7.3 : Tim Murtagh to M Shahzad, Length delivery outside the line of off stump, Shahzad backs away and slaps this to cover. Had the fielder not dived there and saved that, this would have been a boundary. Good effort, just a single taken. |
| 7.4 : Tim Murtagh to G Naib, On the pads, easy enough for Naib to flick it down to fine leg. One run taken. |
| 7.5 : Tim Murtagh to M Shahzad, FOUR! Finds the gap perfectly this time! Short and wide outside off, Shahzad makes room and cracks it square through point for a boundary. |
| 7.6 : Tim Murtagh to M Shahzad, Short outside off, cut away square to point. |
| 8.1 : B Rankin to G Naib, Length ball outside off, no shot offered by the batsman. |
| 8.2 : B Rankin to G Naib, The ball is way outside the off stump, easy leave for the batsman. |
| 8.3 : B Rankin to G Naib, FOUR! Nicely done. Gulbadin Naib is a neat little player. He gets it on the body, so he pulls it through square leg and finds the fence. |
| 8.4 : B Rankin to G Naib, Darted well outside off, quite harmless, so Naib has nothing to do with it. |
| 8.5 : B Rankin to G Naib, Length ball aiming the top of off stump, blocked with the full face of the bat. |
| 8.6 : B Rankin to G Naib, Nice carry. Well left by the batsman. It's on a length on the fourth stump line, Gulbadin withdraws his bat and lets it be. |
| 9.1 : Tim Murtagh to M Shahzad, Leading edge falls safely! Seaming away from a length outside off, Shahzad hangs his bat to it and gets it off the edge. It flies but falls well short of the fielder. Credit to Boyd Rankin here though, he does well to move to his right, dive and stop it from going past him. Single taken. |
| 9.2 : Tim Murtagh to G Naib, Well placed through the gap. Naib leans ahead and flicks it through mid-wicket for a brace. |
| A run out appeal against Shahzad is taken upstairs. Looks to be safe though. |
| 9.3 : Tim Murtagh to G Naib, Not out! Sprays it on the pads, Naib flicks it behind square leg and both batsmen are running fast. They come back for the third as the throw comes in at the striker's end. The bails are off, Shahzad is a sloppy in planting his bat. So, Ireland decide to take it upstairs. Replays show he's fine. |
| 9.4 : Tim Murtagh to M Shahzad, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. |
| 9.5 : Tim Murtagh to M Shahzad, Camps on his back foot and blocks it out. |
| 9.6 : Tim Murtagh to M Shahzad, FOUR! This one is for the cameras! Holding that pose while he hits it. Full on the stumps, Shahzad drives it straight over the bowler's head for a boundary. |
| Powerplay 2 has been signalled. 4 fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle. |
| 10.1 : B Rankin to G Naib, On a good length and outside off, it's run down to third man for a single. |
| 10.2 : B Rankin to M Shahzad, FOUR! Edged and away! Good length delivery outside off, Shahzad is undone by the late away movement as the ball takes the edge on his attempted block. It's a thick one, as it flies past the diving slip fielder for a boundary. |
| 10.3 : B Rankin to M Shahzad, Comfortably guided down to third man for one run. |
| 10.4 : B Rankin to G Naib, Gulbadin Naib has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 10.5 : B Rankin to G Naib, Fullish in length and outside off, comes forward with a straight bat in defense. |
| 10.6 : B Rankin to G Naib, Doesn't move his feet much, hangs his bat out and guards it out safely. |
| Andy McBrine into the attack now. |
| 11.1 : A McBrine to M Shahzad, Spinning in from outside off, Shahzad backs away and punches it to the cover fielder. |
| 11.2 : A McBrine to M Shahzad, Stays leg side once more, mistimes it back to the bowler. |
| 11.3 : A McBrine to M Shahzad, Good effort from the skipper. Shahzad slaps this through cover-point. Seems the ball is destined for the boundary but Porterfield chases after it and keeps it with a dive just before the rope. Two runs taken. |
| 11.4 : A McBrine to M Shahzad, A solid punch, from the back foot. Dot ball. |
| 11.5 : A McBrine to M Shahzad, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 11.6 : A McBrine to M Shahzad, Stays back and keeps it out off the back foot. Using the depth of the crease there, Shahzad. |
| 12.1 : B Rankin to G Naib, Good length delivery in the off stump channel, Naib offers no shot in response. |
| 12.2 : B Rankin to G Naib, In the air but in the gap too! Short and wide, Naib steers it aerially past the diving point fielder. Two runs taken as third man mops it up. |
| 12.3 : B Rankin to G Naib, Better placement this time. The execution is to his liking as he slaps it over backward point. Two more to the total. |
| 12.4 : B Rankin to G Naib, Another couple as Naib flicks this full ball on his pads through the mid-wicket area. In the gap, smartly placed. |
| 12.5 : B Rankin to G Naib, Quite full and straight on the stumps, played back to the bowler for no run. |
| 12.6 : B Rankin to G Naib, Solid cricket so far. Firmly punches it through to sweeper cover and gets a single for it. |
| 13.1 : A McBrine to G Naib, Turning in on a full length, on middle and leg, Naib wrists this in front of square leg. |
| 13.2 : A McBrine to G Naib, Plays with the spin and turns it to the leg side. |
| 13.3 : A McBrine to G Naib, Goes straight, down the ground towards long on and Naib earns a single. |
| 13.4 : A McBrine to M Shahzad, Plays for the turn when there is none. Shahzad pops a leading edge in front of covers as he closes the bat face a little too early. |
| 13.5 : A McBrine to M Shahzad, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. |
| 13.6 : A McBrine to M Shahzad, Uses the feet and comes down the track, blocks it out easily. |
| Simi Singh to bowl now. |
| 14.1 : S Singh to G Naib, Tossed right up there, on off, played back to the bowler from the front foot. |
| 14.2 : S Singh to G Naib, Goes deep inside the crease, waits for the ball to turn before punching to mid-wicket. |
| 14.3 : S Singh to G Naib, Straighter one on middle and off, Gulbadin hops back and defends it down onto the track. |
| 14.4 : S Singh to G Naib, Spins in sharply, on middle and leg, Naib is caught on the pads as he attempts to work it away on the leg side. |
| 14.5 : S Singh to G Naib, Positions himself behind the line and blocks. |
| 14.6 : S Singh to G Naib, Comes half-forward, stands tall and defends the turning ball right under his nose. |
| 15.1 : A McBrine to M Shahzad, Flatter, shorter and on middle, Shahzad exposes his stumps and slaps it to McBrine. |
| 15.2 : A McBrine to M Shahzad, FOUR! Gives the charge and gets the desired result! Dances down to get close to the pitch and lofts it high over mid on. The man in the deep runs to his right to try and stop it, but can't. Shahzad powering forward here. |
| 15.3 : A McBrine to M Shahzad, Short and wide, cut hard straight to point. |
| 15.4 : A McBrine to M Shahzad, SIX! That is a towering blow from Mohammad Shahzad! Once again comes down the track, gets close to the pitch of the ball and before the ball can turn, he smokes it high and handsome right back over the bowler's head. On the roof and that's gone out of here. |
| The replacement ball is here. Shahzad sent that one out of the park so the umpire called for a new one. |
| 15.5 : A McBrine to M Shahzad, Use of the feet once again, this time he can only manage a block. |
| 15.6 : A McBrine to M Shahzad, Works it away on the leg side for a single. Afghanistan are cruising along here. Just 130 needed to win. |
| 16.1 : S Singh to M Shahzad, Fifty for Mohammad Shahzad! His 11th in this format. He gets low to this one and slices the cut over backward point for a double. |
| 16.2 : S Singh to M Shahzad, FOUR! Sublime hitting of the ball from Shahzad. Tossed up delivery on middle, spins in, he kneels down and sweeps it over backward square leg for a boundary. |
| 16.3 : S Singh to M Shahzad, OUT! One hit too many and Mohammad Shahzad is out of here. Sees the ball landed full, in his arc, so the big man gets low and looks to clear the long on boundary. Doesn't get the distance on it and it's straight down the throat of Boyd Ranking position just inside the rope. A brisk knock comes to an end. |
| Rahmat Shah is the next man in. |
| 16.4 : S Singh to R Shah, Tossed up on middle and leg, driven softly to short mid-wicket. |
| 16.5 : S Singh to R Shah, Turning in on middle and leg, wristed away, but can't get it past short mid-wicket. |
| 16.6 : S Singh to R Shah, Dot ball to end the over. Rahmat Shah plays it to the same fielder, in the same position. |
| 17.1 : A McBrine to G Naib, Turning in on middle and leg, Naib moves inside the line and taps it in front of square leg. |
| 17.2 : A McBrine to G Naib, Straighter in line, nudged to square leg. No run taken. |
| 17.3 : A McBrine to G Naib, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 17.4 : A McBrine to G Naib, Off spinner around off, punched back to the bowler off the back foot. |
| 17.5 : A McBrine to G Naib, Worked off the pads, towards square leg. Won't get any run for it. |
| 17.6 : A McBrine to G Naib, Tucked to square leg again. Straight to the fielder. |
| 18.1 : S Singh to R Shah, Loopy delivery full in length, outside off, Shah drives it sweetly through the covers but the slow outfield prevents the ball from reaching the fence. Three runs are taken. |
| 18.2 : S Singh to G Naib, Drags the length back on this occasion, punched from the back foot to mid-wicket. |
| 18.3 : S Singh to G Naib, With the turn again, off the front foot towards mid-wicket. |
| 18.4 : S Singh to G Naib, Punched off the back foot but no run taken. |
| 18.5 : S Singh to G Naib, The batsman has driven it straight down the ground. |
| 18.6 : S Singh to G Naib, Eases this full ball down to long on for a single. |
| 19.1 : A McBrine to G Naib, Flighted delivery outside the line of off stump, blocked out off the front foot. |
| 19.2 : A McBrine to G Naib, Slower through the air and outside off, on a fuller length, Naib meets it with a straight bat in defense. |
| 19.3 : A McBrine to G Naib, Full and on the stumps, driven through mid on for a single. |
| 19.4 : A McBrine to R Shah, Driven through mid-on by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| 19.5 : A McBrine to G Naib, Easy runs these for Afghanistan. Ireland need to do more, something different here. Another easy single taken by knocking to long on. |
| 19.6 : A McBrine to R Shah, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| Murtagh comes back into the attack. |
| 20.1 : Tim Murtagh to G Naib, Back of a length delivery, defended off the back foot. |
| 20.2 : Tim Murtagh to G Naib, Length delivery driven down the ground for a single. |
| 20.3 : Tim Murtagh to R Shah, Full delivery outside the off stump line, defended back to the bowler. |
| 20.4 : Tim Murtagh to R Shah, Full length delivery, driven down the ground. The fielder at mid on makes a good diving save but cannot stop the batsmen from taking a single. |
| 20.5 : Tim Murtagh to G Naib, Good length delivery, angling in towards the batsman. Played to square leg for a run. |
| 20.6 : Tim Murtagh to R Shah, Back of a length delivery punched off the back foot to covers. |
| 21.1 : A McBrine to G Naib, Tossed up delivery, played back to the bowler. |
| 21.2 : A McBrine to G Naib, Floated ball around the off stump line, driven back. |
| 21.3 : A McBrine to G Naib, Tossed up delivery on the legs of the batsman, played to mid-wicket. |
| 21.4 : A McBrine to G Naib, FOUR! Short and wide outside off stump, Naib cuts it hard past the point region for a boundary. 100 up for Afghanistan. |
| 21.5 : A McBrine to G Naib, Defended off the front foot towards mid-wicket. |
| 21.6 : A McBrine to G Naib, Tossed up delivery, driven back at the bowler. |
| 22.1 : Tim Murtagh to R Shah, Full and straight, slower through the air, driven back down to the bowler. |
| 22.2 : Tim Murtagh to R Shah, Stays back and defends it with a straight blade. |
| 22.3 : Tim Murtagh to R Shah, Takes a big lunge forward to this full ball and drives it to the covers. |
| Silly mid on in place. |
| 22.4 : Tim Murtagh to R Shah, Goes a bit squarer this time. Plants his front foot forward and drives it through cover-point for a single. |
| 22.5 : Tim Murtagh to G Naib, Length ball aiming the top of off stump, blocked right under his nose. |
| 22.6 : Tim Murtagh to G Naib, Rock solid in defense as Naib pushes it back down the track. Good over from Murtagh, just the single off it. |
| 23.1 : A McBrine to R Shah, Turning in from outside off, Rahmat Shah prods forward and blocks it in front of covers. |
| 23.2 : A McBrine to R Shah, FOUR! Gives the charge and bangs this one! Straight back over the bowler's head, Shah smashes it hard across the long on boundary. Super shot. |
| 23.3 : A McBrine to R Shah, Straighter one around off, Rahmat stands firm and defends. |
| 23.4 : A McBrine to R Shah, Plays with the spin and turns it through the mid-wicket area for a run. |
| 23.5 : A McBrine to G Naib, Knocks it down to long on and crosses over. |
| 23.6 : A McBrine to R Shah, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. 103 runs needed for Afghanistan to win. |
| Boyd Rankin is back on. He has a slip in place. |
| 24.1 : B Rankin to G Naib, Good pace on it. Beats the batsman because of it. Back of a length on off, Naib looks to work it across the line but is beaten past the inner edge. |
| 24.2 : B Rankin to G Naib, Waits for the length ball to come to him and runs it down to third man for a single. |
| 24.3 : B Rankin to R Shah, Full delivery on off, swinging away, Shah plays it back down the track. |
| 24.4 : B Rankin to R Shah, Short of a good length outside off, guided comfortably to third man for one. |
| 24.5 : B Rankin to G Naib, Too full in length, straighter in line as well, allows Naib to work it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 24.6 : B Rankin to G Naib, Pushes this full ball just wide of mid off and gets to the other end with ease. |
| Simi Singh back into the bowling attack. |
| 25.1 : S Singh to G Naib, Drifting in from over the wicket, worked through mid-wicket for one. |
| 25.2 : S Singh to R Shah, Sliding in from around off, Shah gets behind the line and defends. |
| 25.3 : S Singh to R Shah, Full outside off, slapped hard to extra cover. |
| 25.4 : S Singh to R Shah, OUT! Ireland have their second of the game! Tossed up and spinning in on middle and leg, Shah flicks it uppishly straight to short mid-wicket where Wilson takes a sharp catch. Credit to Porterfield for that, he's had that man there almost the entire game. Good captaincy. Afghanistan need 97 more to win. |
| Samiullah Shenwari is the next batsman in. |
| 25.5 : S Singh to S Shenwari, Straighter one outside off, full in length, Shenwari blocks with the full face of the bat. |
| 25.6 : S Singh to S Shenwari, Quicker through the air on off, kept out from within the crease. |
| 26.1 : B Rankin to G Naib, Length delivery outside off with some extra bounce, Naib looks to play but is beaten because of it. |
| 26.2 : B Rankin to G Naib, Connects with the punch this time, but finds the man at cover. |
| 26.3 : B Rankin to G Naib, Zips off the deck again, Rankin extracts extra bounce once more. It takes the leading edge of Naib's bat this time and goes safely to cover. |
| 26.4 : B Rankin to G Naib, Edged and away! Just wide of the slip fielder. Back of a length outside off, Naib edges this through the right of the diving fielder, down to third man for a single. |
| 26.5 : B Rankin to S Shenwari, Oh! That was close. On a length, on off, Gulbadin looks to defend but the slight inward movement takes the inside edge and the ball goes past the leg pole. |
| 26.6 : B Rankin to S Shenwari, Outside off, the batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| Simi Singh brought back on. |
| 27.1 : S Singh to G Naib, Naib waits for the ball to turn before wristing it to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 27.2 : S Singh to S Shenwari, Shorter in length and on a flatter trajectory, Shenwari off his back foot pushes this away. |
| 27.3 : S Singh to S Shenwari, Straighter one outside off, Shenwari fails to put bat on ball. |
| 27.4 : S Singh to S Shenwari, The batsman has punched that ball through the offside. |
| 27.5 : S Singh to S Shenwari, Samiullah Shenwari has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 27.6 : S Singh to S Shenwari, Appeal for a caught behind which goes in vain. Short and wide outside off, seeing the width Shenwari looks to cut. Niall O'Brien appeals the moment he catches the ball but the umpire remains unmoved. |
| 28.1 : B Rankin to G Naib, Shaping away from outside off, Naib edges it down to third man for a run. |
| 28.2 : B Rankin to S Shenwari, Drives the fuller ball to long on and takes one. |
| 28.3 : B Rankin to G Naib, Plants his front foot forward and meets it with the full face. |
| 28.4 : B Rankin to G Naib, Short of a good length close to off, pushed back to the bowler from within the crease. |
| 28.5 : B Rankin to G Naib, Edged... but it falls short! Shortish in length outside off, Gulbadin hangs his bat to block but it takes the edge and goes to the slip fielder on the bounce. |
| 28.6 : B Rankin to G Naib, OUT! Gulbadin Naib is out of here! Misses out on his fifty too. His long stay comes to an end. Short ball which is climbing up too fast, gets too big for Naib who top edges his pull. It balloons towards backward point where Andy Balbirnie takes a simple catch. |
| Mohammad Nabi is the new man in. |
| 29.1 : S Singh to S Shenwari, Full and attacking the stumps, Shenwari is forward in defense. |
| 29.2 : S Singh to S Shenwari, Turns it with the spin to square leg for nought. |
| 29.3 : S Singh to S Shenwari, Stays right behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 29.4 : S Singh to S Shenwari, Gets close to the pitch with a big stride to work it in front of square leg. |
| 29.5 : S Singh to S Shenwari, Dabs this away to point. Another dot ball. |
| 29.6 : S Singh to S Shenwari, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| Barry McCarthy into the attack again. |
| 30.1 : B McCarthy to M Nabi, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 30.2 : B McCarthy to M Nabi, Wide! Going down leg, Nabi looks to flick but misses. Wide called by the umpire. |
| B McCarthy to M Nabi, Length ball skidding off the deck a bit, pushed to the covers for nothing. |
| 30.3 : B McCarthy to M Nabi, Moves across to get behind the line of the length ball and blocks. |
| 30.4 : B McCarthy to M Nabi, Quite full, outside off, driven solidly to mid off. |
| 30.5 : B McCarthy to M Nabi, Some width offered outside off, pushed through the covers for a single. |
| 30.6 : B McCarthy to S Shenwari, FOUR! Good shot! Full and wide outside off, Shenwari drives it square past the diving backward point fielder and finds the boundary line. Much-needed, this. It's been a quiet period for the Afghans. |
| 31.1 : S Singh to M Nabi, Outside off, straighter in line, dabbed to point. |
| 31.2 : S Singh to M Nabi, Works it off the pads through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 31.3 : S Singh to S Shenwari, Attacking the stumps, on a fuller length, blocked. |
| 31.4 : S Singh to S Shenwari, FOUR! Awesome from Shenwari! He premeditates the reverse sweep, gets low and clears short third man with ease. Gets a boundary to his name. |
| 31.5 : S Singh to S Shenwari, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 31.6 : S Singh to S Shenwari, Good running. Spinning into Shenwari, he gets low and sweeps it past backward square leg for a couple. |
| 32.1 : B McCarthy to M Nabi, A lot of bottom hand on this one as Mohammad Nabi flicks this full ball aerially through square leg. Picks up a single. |
| 32.2 : B McCarthy to S Shenwari, Back of a length outside off, some room there for Shenwari, but he can't connect and gets beaten. |
| 32.3 : B McCarthy to S Shenwari, The batsman was beaten and missed the line of the delivery. |
| 32.4 : B McCarthy to S Shenwari, Opens the face of the bat and stabs it to the point fielder. |
| 32.5 : B McCarthy to S Shenwari, Leans ahead and pushes the fuller ball to the cover area. |
| 32.6 : B McCarthy to S Shenwari, Muted appeal denied. Full and angling down leg, Shenwari looks to flick but misses and the noise is off the ball brushing the pads. |
| Andy McBrine is back on to bowl. |
| 33.1 : A McBrine to M Nabi, Spinning in from around off, Nabi from the back foot looks to flick but the ball takes the inside edge and goes off the pads through the vacant slip area. |
| 33.2 : A McBrine to M Nabi, Looped up closed to off, blocked. |
| 33.3 : A McBrine to M Nabi, Turning in, on middle and leg, Nabi kneels forward and across as he sweeps it down towards short fine leg. Single stolen. |
| 33.4 : A McBrine to S Shenwari, Straighter one on off, Samiullah pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 33.5 : A McBrine to S Shenwari, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. |
| 33.6 : A McBrine to S Shenwari, Loud shout, not sure for what though. It went off the forearm. Pitched up around off, Shenwari kneels down to reverse sweep but is hit on the arm. |
| 34.1 : B McCarthy to M Nabi, Good length delivery attacking the stumps, it's blocked just wide of the bowler. |
| 34.2 : B McCarthy to M Nabi, Nicely done. Nabi gets forward to the full ball and neatly lifts it over mid off for a double. |
| 34.3 : B McCarthy to M Nabi, Outside off, played to point. |
| 34.4 : B McCarthy to M Nabi, Just wide of McCarthy. Low full toss outside off, Nabi lofts it back and it's just out of the bowler's reach. Close one. To mid off but no run taken surprisingly. |
| 34.5 : B McCarthy to M Nabi, Mohammad Nabi defends it from within the crease. |
| 34.6 : B McCarthy to M Nabi, Overpitched on middle and leg, wristed past the diving short mid-wicket fielder for a single. 75 needed now off 90 balls. |
| 35.1 : A McBrine to M Nabi, Comes from wide of the crease and darts it on middle and leg, Nabi works it to deep mid-wicket for one run. |
| 35.2 : A McBrine to S Shenwari, Should be two and they do get it. Shenwari sweeps it through square leg and both batsmen set off quickly. Easily come back for the second. |
| 35.3 : A McBrine to S Shenwari, Looped up off spinner outside off, Samiullah drives it to mid off. |
| 35.4 : A McBrine to S Shenwari, Goes deep inside the crease, turns it to square leg with the spin and takes a brisk single. |
| 35.5 : A McBrine to M Nabi, Full on middle, chips it past his partner down to long on for a single. |
| 35.6 : A McBrine to S Shenwari, Flicked with the wrists to mid-wicket. Just the single. |
| Drinks break. |
| Tim Murtagh returns to the attack. |
| 36.1 : Tim Murtagh to S Shenwari, Length ball coming in, takes the inside edge of Shenwari's inside edge and rolls past the leg stump. |
| 36.2 : Tim Murtagh to S Shenwari, Big shout from Tim, not a bad one by any stretch. Cutting back in on middle, strikes Shenwari high on the thigh pads and the appeal goes up. Height saves the batsman. |
| 36.3 : Tim Murtagh to S Shenwari, Outside off, looks to dab it to point but gets it off the bottom edge back down the track. |
| 36.4 : Tim Murtagh to S Shenwari, Pushes this to mid off and runs to the other end. Beats the throw at the bowler's end and gets inside the crease. Good running. |
| 36.5 : Tim Murtagh to M Nabi, Short of a good length on off, Nabi rises and taps it down on the off side. |
| 36.6 : Tim Murtagh to M Nabi, Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| Simi Singh comes back on. |
| 37.1 : S Singh to M Nabi, Tossed up delivery on the middle and leg stump, swept over the short fine leg region for a couple. |
| 37.2 : S Singh to M Nabi, Full on the stumps, Nabi pushes hard at it and mistimes it back to the bowler. |
| 37.3 : S Singh to M Nabi, OUT! Mohammad Nabi departs! This is a big wicket for Ireland. They're still in this game, for sure. Nabi comes down the track and lofts it high across the line over mid-wicket. McBrine in the deep settles himself under the ball and takes a good, safe catch. Brilliant stuff. 65 needed off 75 now. |
| Asghar Stanikzai will bat next. |
| 37.4 : S Singh to S Shenwari, Quicker through the air around off, Shenwari looks to cut but gets a bottom edge past the stumps. So close. It goes past the keeper and a single is taken. |
| 37.5 : S Singh to A Stanikzai, Loopy off spinner around off, Stanikzai gets a leading edge down towards short third man. Closed the face a bit early there. |
| 37.6 : S Singh to A Stanikzai, Excellent over comes to an end. Dot ball as Stanikzai works it in front of square leg. |
| Barry McCarthy back on. |
| 38.1 : B McCarthy to S Shenwari, Straighter in line and fuller in length, Shenwari flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 38.2 : B McCarthy to S Shenwari, An extension of the arms as he pushes the fullish delivery to the cover area. |
| 38.3 : B McCarthy to S Shenwari, Three dots in a row. Back of a length ball is knocked back past the bowler to mid on. |
| 38.4 : B McCarthy to S Shenwari, Quick single. A gentle tap in front of mid off and both batsmen scamper through. |
| 38.5 : B McCarthy to A Stanikzai, Good length delivery in the off stump channel, Stanikzai plays and misses. |
| 38.6 : B McCarthy to A Stanikzai, Short of a good length on off, catch the Afghan skipper on the pads as he comes a long way down the crease to go across the line. No chance that would be given out, the appeal is a bit pointless. Good over nonetheless. Just the 1 run off it. |
| 39.1 : S Singh to S Shenwari, Plays with the turn and works it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 39.2 : S Singh to A Stanikzai, Goes leg side again, towards square leg this time. Another single to the total. |
| 39.3 : S Singh to S Shenwari, Full and straight on the stumps, it's wristed straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 39.4 : S Singh to S Shenwari, Shenwari goes back and tucks in front of square on the leg side for a run. |
| 39.5 : S Singh to A Stanikzai, From deep inside the crease, Stanikzai nudges it to square leg and crosses over. |
| 39.6 : S Singh to S Shenwari, Flatter and shorter outside off, blocked. |
| Powerplay 3 has been signalled. A maximum of 5 fielders will be allowed outside the ring till the end of the game. |
| 40.1 : B McCarthy to A Stanikzai, FOUR! Streaky runs, but Afghanistan won't mind as long as they come. Length ball wide outside off, Stanikzai reaches out to it and gets a thick edge down to third man for a boundary. |
| 40.2 : B McCarthy to A Stanikzai, Full delivery angling in on off, blocked on the leg side. |
| 40.3 : B McCarthy to A Stanikzai, Steers this good length delivery outside off to the left of third man and takes a single. |
| 40.4 : B McCarthy to S Shenwari, Just ahead of a length on off stump, moves inside the line and works it to the right of the bowler. |
| 40.5 : B McCarthy to S Shenwari, Straightening up after hitting the deck, Samiullah dabs it with an open face to point. |
| 40.6 : B McCarthy to S Shenwari, Bit of width offered outside off, Shenwari drives it hard to sweeper cover for one. |
| 41.1 : S Singh to S Shenwari, Turning in on off stump, worked gently to the right of the bowler. |
| 41.2 : S Singh to S Shenwari, Whipped with some decent power to the right of the mid-wicket fielder for a single. |
| 41.3 : S Singh to A Stanikzai, Landed short and flat around off, hit down to long on for a single. |
| 41.4 : S Singh to S Shenwari, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 41.5 : S Singh to S Shenwari, Tossed right up there, wristed to the long on area to get off strike. |
| 41.6 : S Singh to A Stanikzai, Straighter one on middle, gets inside the line and tucks it to square leg. |
| Boyd Rankin comes back into the attack. |
| 42.1 : B Rankin to A Stanikzai, Short and wide outside off, placed with an angled bat to point. |
| 42.2 : B Rankin to A Stanikzai, Yorker on leg, tailing down further. Stanikzai is lucky he gets some bat on this before the ball hits his boot and goes on the off side. Single taken. |
| 42.3 : B Rankin to S Shenwari, Good length ball on middle stump, moves inside the line and works it to mid-wicket. |
| 42.4 : B Rankin to S Shenwari, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. |
| 42.5 : B Rankin to S Shenwari, Short of a good length around off, kept out off the back foot. |
| 42.6 : B Rankin to S Shenwari, Leans ahead to the full ball and knocks it to long on for a single. |
| Andy McBrine is back. |
| 43.1 : A McBrine to S Shenwari, Spinning into the batsman, on middle and leg, worked away with a firm punch towards mid-wicket. |
| 43.2 : A McBrine to S Shenwari, Flatter and short on the stumps, pulled down towards fine leg for a run. |
| 43.3 : A McBrine to A Stanikzai, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| 43.4 : A McBrine to S Shenwari, Dabbed to mid-wicket. No run taken. |
| 43.5 : A McBrine to S Shenwari, Kneels down to the fuller ball and sweeps it through backward square leg for a double. |
| 43.6 : A McBrine to S Shenwari, Dot ball to end the over. 43 needed off 36. It's played back to the bowler from within the crease. |
| Barry McCarthy to bowl once more. |
| 44.1 : B McCarthy to A Stanikzai, FOUR! That should relieve some pressure. Short of a length on off, Stanikzai picks up the length early and rocks back. Pulls it over mid-wicket and gets a boundary. |
| 44.2 : B McCarthy to A Stanikzai, SIX! 10 in 2 balls. This is the over he decides to cut loose. Fuller in length on off, Stanikzai launches this high over mid on. George Dockrell (sub) who is at the rope, leans and stretches his hands out. Just about misses as the ball goes over him. Maximum! |
| 44.3 : B McCarthy to A Stanikzai, Full and outside off, Asghar lofts it over covers and comes back for the second. |
| 44.4 : B McCarthy to A Stanikzai, Coming back in on middle and leg, Stanikzai walks down the track and flicks it off his pads towards square leg for a single. |
| 44.5 : B McCarthy to S Shenwari, Wide! Down the leg side, looks to flick but misses. |
| B McCarthy to S Shenwari, OUT! Ireland with an important breakthrough at a crucial juncture. Full and outside off, Shenwari slices it straight to Gary Wilson at point, who gets low and takes a sharp catch. 29 needed in 31 balls. Shenwari departs after a rather slow-paced knock. |
| Najibullah Zadran will be the next man in. |
| 44.6 : B McCarthy to N Zadran, Back of a length well outside off, Najibullah is off the mark with a slap to sweeper cover. Single taken. |
| Tim Murtagh to have a go with the ball. |
| 45.1 : Tim Murtagh to N Zadran, Back of a length delivery outside the off stump channel, pushed to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 45.2 : Tim Murtagh to A Stanikzai, Short delivery banged in outside off stump, the batsman lets it be. That's one bounce for the over. |
| 45.3 : Tim Murtagh to A Stanikzai, FOUR! Much needed one for Afghanistan. Short delivery, Stanikzai guides past the right of the keeper to the third man fence for a boundary. |
| 45.4 : Tim Murtagh to A Stanikzai, Back of a length delivery, defended back to the bowler. |
| 45.5 : Tim Murtagh to A Stanikzai, Slower delivery, full down the leg side. Stanikzai works it to fine leg and calls his partner for a quick couple. |
| 45.6 : Tim Murtagh to A Stanikzai, Length delivery, nudged to square leg for a run. 20 required from 24. The team batting should be through. But cricket is a funny game, don't expect the obvious. |
| Boyd Rankin comes back into the attack. |
| 46.1 : B Rankin to A Stanikzai, Short and wide outside off, punched solidly through to deep point for a single. |
| 46.2 : B Rankin to N Zadran, Shortish delivery pounded on off, Najibullah awkwardly fends it away on the off side. |
| 46.3 : B Rankin to N Zadran, Length ball around the off stump, pushes at it tamely from inside the crease. |
| 46.4 : B Rankin to N Zadran, Excellent running between the wickets. Shortish ball on leg, Najibullah works it through backward square leg. Stanikzai is the one who calls for the second and his partner responds. Both batsmen complete the run with ease. |
| 46.5 : B Rankin to N Zadran, Played to point for no run. |
| 46.6 : B Rankin to N Zadran, Slanting across on a good length, around off, it's run down to third man for one run. |
| 47.1 : Tim Murtagh to N Zadran, Fraction straight in line, on middle stump, Zadran with a tap to mid-wicket, straight to the fielder. |
| 47.2 : Tim Murtagh to N Zadran, Fraction straight in line, on middle stump, Zadran with a tap to mid-wicket, straight to the fielder. |
| 47.3 : Tim Murtagh to N Zadran, Length ball aiming the top of off stump, Najibullah swings and off the inner half plays it through backward square leg for a brace. |
| 47.4 : Tim Murtagh to N Zadran, Takes the pace off this one, on middle, whipped to short mid-wicket. |
| 47.5 : Tim Murtagh to N Zadran, SIX! HE HAS MIDDLED THAT! Najibullah Zadran showing all this effort in the gym. All his muscles put into work here. Length ball around off, he clears his front leg and blasts this right off the meat. Clears long on and sends it sailing deep into the stands. What a hit! 8 needed off 13 now. |
| 47.6 : Tim Murtagh to N Zadran, Slower short ball on middle, Najibullah goes for the big swing across the line again, but gets an inside edge onto his thigh pad. Single taken as the ball goes to the leg side. |
| 48.1 : B Rankin to N Zadran, Length ball down the leg side, Najibullah just helps it fine down the leg side. Andy Balbirnie does well to run to his left and slide to keep it in play. Keeps the batsmen to two, but these runs are vital for Afghanistan nonetheless. |
| 48.2 : B Rankin to N Zadran, Short ball on off, the left-hander backs away and slaps it well over point. The fielder from the deep comes running in and takes it on the bounce. Single taken. |
| 48.3 : B Rankin to A Stanikzai, Short ball wide outside off, Stanikzai looks to cut but misses. Niall behind the stumps is the only one to appeal, but the umpire denies it. |
| 48.4 : B Rankin to A Stanikzai, On a good length and outside off, Asghar runs this down to third man. The fielder in the deep cuts it off and the batsmen take two. Just two more needed to win now. |
| 48.5 : B Rankin to A Stanikzai, Taps this in front of point. The skipper wants the single but his partner sends him back. |
| 48.6 : B Rankin to A Stanikzai, Moves across to this bumper and pulls it over backward square leg. One run taken. Afghanistan just need 1 run to win this game. The scores a level now. |
| Barry McCarthy to bowl the final over of the game. |
| 49.1 : B McCarthy to A Stanikzai, AFGHANISTAN WIN BY 5 WICKETS! Asghar Stanikzai hits the winning runs. He pumps his fist in the air because he knows his team is going to the 2019 World Cup. Coach Phil Simmons is hugging his players. The rest of the team screams in joy. Jubilant scenes. Yorker on leg, Stanikzai somehow manages to dig it out off the inside edge down to fine leg for a boundary. |
| Superb game! Went down till the last over. With a meek target of 210 to gun down, Afghanistan got off to good start with Mohammad Shahzad firing away with a brisk fifty, and he had good support in Gulbadin Naib. But, after Shahzad's dismissal, Ireland pulled things back with some disciplined bowling. Plugged the scoring rate, kept taking wickets at regular intervals and it seemed they would get the better of their opponents. But, a returning Asghar Stanikzai came in and took control of things. H |
| Heartbreak for Ireland though. They played their hearts out and had they won, would have been equally deserving of going through to the big stage. Earlier in the day, Ireland were restricted to 209 courtesy some excellent bowling from the Afghans. The charge was led by Rashid Khan with 3 wickets and he was supported well by the others. The O'Brien brothers did their part, with the younger providing a late impetus towards the end. One wonders, had the others did just a little more, then even 15-2 |
| Mohammad Shahzad, Man of the Match, thanks the Almighty and adds they have played good cricket to win this match. Reckons he waited to convert the loose deliveries and also says that he believes himself and the staff backs him to play his natural game. Ends by saying that he is happy to play the final with Windies and issues a warning that they are coming for them. |
| Asghar Stanikzai, Afghanistan captain, says that he was in pain but the country comes first for him. Reckons it's a dream day for his side and adds that they made a good comeback and believed in themselves as they were hungry to win this encounter. |
| William Porterfield, Ireland captain, starts by congratulating the Afghanistan team. Adds that they were a few runs short today. Feels that they did have a chance today, but it wasn't meant to be. States that they did learn a lot from this tournament as they will look forward to the upcoming Test series. |
| So, we finally have our two teams who will participate in the World Cup next year. Afghanistan will join Windies on the biggest stage of them all. Even though the Afghans were the better team today, Ireland did exceptionally well to take the game deep and make it such a close contest. They put in some good performances throughout the tournament and can keep their heads held high. Anyway, before these two teams can celebrate their entries into the World Cup, they have a final to play. Join in on |
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