IRE vs AFG Ball by Ball Commentary

No run, the off drive is played but it is stopped.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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!

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.

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

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.

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

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!

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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! 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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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​​​​​​.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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