IRE vs AFG Ball by Ball Commentary

FOUR! AFGHANISTAN WIN 4-0! Fittingly, it is the skipper who seals the game. Half volley, on middle, Rahmat Shah leans across and flicks it through mid-wicket to find the fence. His hands go aloft in celebration and the Afghan fans are jumping up in sheer joy. AFGHANISTAN WIN BY 6 WICKETS AND 7 BALLS TO SPARE!

SCORES LEVEL NOW. On a length, around off, Hashmatullah gets across and tucks it through mid on for a quick single.

A quick short ball, outside off, Shahidi looks to cut but gets a bottom edge which goes past the stumps behind.

Fuller, outside off, Hashmatullah Shahidi leans and drives it beautifully through the covers. Sweeper gets across to his left and slides, keeping the ball in play. The batters take a couple.

Dropped short, around middle, Rahmat Shah swivels across and pulls it to deep backward square leg for a single.

On a good length, around middle, Shahidi works it to the right of deep square leg for a couple. 13 from the over, Liam McCarthy finishes with bowling figures of 10-1-47-3.

FOUR! A bit too straight, Hashmatullah Shahidi tickles it to the fine leg fence to get off the mark. Just 7 more needed now.

Full and straight, the skipper eases this towards long on for a single.

FOUR! Slower ball, short in length, outside off, Shah waits for the ball to arrive and then cuts it behind point for a boundary.

Dropped short, outside off, Rahmat pulls it through mid-wicket for a couple.

On a length, outside off, Rahmat Shah feels for it but misses.

Outside off, tapped to point for a run. A wicket and 12 runs from the over, Jai Moondra's bowling figures read 9-0-58-1 so far.

That would have stung. On a good length, outside off, Hashmatullah Shahidi looks to defend but the ball rears up suddenly. Shahidi has nowhere to go and the ball pings him hard on the gloves, dropping down on the leg side. A quick single taken. In fact, leg bye has been signalled.

OUT! EXCEPTIONAL FROM HOEY! May not matter in the context of the game, but credit needs to be given where it is due. Dug in short, around off, Azmatullah Omarzai waits for the ball to arrive and then ramps it over short third. But he is not quite able to connect cleanly and the ball goes off the under edge. It goes low and wide to the right of short third but Gavin Hoey flings himself to his right and catches it one-handed! Somethng to celebrate for Ireland on this difficult day. Omarzai's cameo ends in a quickfire stand of 56. AFGHANISTAN ARE 279/4, needing another 20 runs from 20 balls.

On a good length, outside off, angling in, Azmatullah looks to tap and run, but gets it off the inner half of the bat, back to the bowler.

FOUR! Exceptional batting. Full, around off, Omarzai goes to the leg side again, reaches out and drives it through the covers. Paul Stirling dives to his right at cover but it is in vain and the ball races through.

SIX! SLAP! Stand and deliver. On a good length, outside off, from around the wicket, Azmatullah Omarzai backs away a touch and slaps it miles over long off! The 50-RUN STAND is up, in just 34 balls. 24 more needed now, from 23 balls.

Another short ball, outside off, RS pulls it through mid-wicket. Deep square leg gets across to his left, dives, half-stops the ball and parries it to deep mid-wicket getting across. Two runs taken.

On a good length, outside off, cutting back in, the skipper punches it towards point again.

Similar ball, Shah also tries what Omarzai did on the previous ball, but cuts it straight to point.

Shorter, outside off, extra bounce, Azmatullah Omarzai rises with the bounce and cuts it to deep point for a run.

Outside off, Rahmat dabs it to deep third for a single.

Short, outside off, Rahmat Shah pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a couple.

Low full toss outside off, smacked away to sweeper cover for just a single. 10 off the over, 36 more needed now off 30 balls.

TOP EDGE, FOUR! But not the right length from the bowler. With fine leg up, Moondra bowls it short and around middle, Rahmat Shah goes for the pull but gets a top edge. However, it flies over short fine leg and nearly goes all the way, landing just in front of the ropes. 37 more needed from 31 balls.

Unlucky for the bowler. Good-length delivery, lands it on off and jags it back in. Shah plays a tentative drive off the front foot and gets an inside edge just past the leg stump. The ball rolls down to fine leg and Shah picks up a brace.

A bit of cat and mouse between the batter and the bowler. Fullish length, Shah looks to get forward and drive but hits it straight back. Moondra gathers the ball and throws the ball back at the stumps, but Shah turns back and cops a blow on the back of his legs.

Chipped in the air, and it will fall safely. Good length, on off, angling in. Rahmat Shah looks to loft it down the ground but the ball angles in and catches the inner half of the blade, landing well short of the incoming deep mid-wicket fielder Two more added to the total.

Back of a length, angled in from around the wicket. Azmat gets on his toes and taps it down towards short third for a run.

SIX! HUMONGOUS! Floated, outside off, Rahmat gets down on a knee and slog sweeps this brilliantly over deep mid-wicket. The fielder keeps on running back, back, back, and is well beyond the ropes as well. The ball lands well beyond him. 14 from the over, 250 UP FOR AFGHANISTAN! 46 more needed from 36 balls.

Drifted into the legs, quicker too. Shah looks to step out but has to adjust and just plays it back to the bowler.

Short and on off, Rahmat Shah employs the square cut again, hitting it to the left of the deep point fielder for a couple of runs more.

FOUR! Brilliant shot. Fractionally short, around off. Rahmat Shah goes back and cuts it from the line of the stumps, past backward point and finds the fence behind.

Tossed up again, outside off, Omarzai backs away and lofts it inside-out, but on the bounce to wide long off for just a single.

Flighted up at the stumps, Shah comes down the pitch and drives it along the carpet to long off for a single.

FOUR! Spoils the over. Azmatullah Omarzai backs away to the leg side and McCarthy follows him. The ball is a good length, around off and Omarzai throws his bat hard at it. Gets a thick outside edge which flies over the vacant slip region to the deep third fence, beating deep third's dive to his left.

Back of a length and in the channel, Shah looks to hit it through the off side but gets it off the inside half of the blade through square leg for one.

Short again, around chest height, Shah leans back and pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Oh, that could have easily gone to hand. Quick and short, right at the batter. Azmatullah Omarzai gets rushed into the pull and gets a top edge that sails back over the keeper's head. Lorcan Tucker chases it down and keeps it down to a single.

There it is, Rahmat Shah just scampers through and brings up a well-deserved ton. It's been more than five years in the making, but SHAH HAS HIS 6TH ODI HUNDRED. Bowled back of a length and outside off, tapped away to the left of point for a quick single. Shah takes off the helmet and soaks in the applause. Excellent knock, but his job isn't done yet.

On a hard length, darted back in towards the off stump. Shah stays back and jams it back down the pitch.

Flighted ball outside off, turning away. Omarzai slices it to the left of backward point, where Andy Balbirnie makes a good stop.

Fuller on middle and leg, driven down to long on for one. Shah moves to 99.

Nervous 90s indeed for the Afghan skipper. Fullish length, drifted into the stumps, but this one pitches and turns away sharply. Shah gets pegged back and gets beaten past the outside edge. There's a stifled appeal for caught behind, nothing more.

Oh, some serious grip and turn here. Good length outside off, the ball turns square and Rahmat Shah pulls out of the attempted cut.

Hoey immediately shortens the length, Omarzai rocks back and smacks it down to deep cover for a single.

FOUR! SLAM! And Hoey is back under pressure. Tossed up outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai gets down on a knee and slogs it over mid on for a boundary!

A dot to finish, just 2 runs and a big wicket off it. Back of a length, in the channel, Shah camps back and punches it down in front of point.

Hard length, wide of the off stump. Omarzai goes after the width and gets a thick outside edge down to deep third. A single taken.

Banged in shorter and right at the batter. Azmatullah Omarzai gets his hands out in front and manages to keep it down on the off side.

OUT! ATAL MISSES OUT ON A TON! Mirage or oasis in the desert for Ireland. Is there still life in this game? A lovely short delivery, outside off, Atal goes for the hook. But he is not in control of the shot and hits it off the upper half of the bat. Hence, he is not able to generate the power to get the distance. The ball flies towards square leg, where Cade Carmichael races to his left and dives in that direction to take a wonderful catch. The 201-run stand is broken at last. AFGHANISTAN ARE 223/3, needing 76 runs from 57 balls.

No run there! Short of a length, angled across off. Sediqullah Atal stays back and dabs it down to backward point. The fielder's throw slips out of his hand and ends up at around mid off.

Short ball at the bodyline, Shah swivels and pulls it down to fine leg for one. He joins Atal on 98 as well.

200-RUN STAND IS UP! In 187 balls.

Tossed up, around middle and off, SA drives it towards long off for one.

Full and on middle, Sediqullah drives it back to the bowler.

Short, outside off, Rahmat Shah punches it through point for a run. 79 more needed from 63 balls.

Tossed up, outside off, Atal drives this through the covers for a single.

Landed outside off, Sediqullah Atal goes back and steers it behind point for a couple.

Full and around off, angling in, Rahmat drives it back to the bowler.

On a length, down the leg side, Sediqullah looks to flick but misses. The ball goes off the pads to short fine leg and a quick leg bye is taken.

Outside off, punched through point for a run.

FOUR! Another fine shot. A good short ball, around off, Rahmat Shah goes for the pull but does not quite hit it from the middle of the bat. However, he manages to get it over the infield and beats deep mid-wicket to his left.

On a length, around off, Atal works it towards short mid-wicket for a single. 89 more needed from 70 balls.

Full and wide outside off, Sediqullah Atal leans and drives it through the covers. Sweeper gets across and slides to his left, keeping the batters to a couple.

Short, outside off, pace off, Rahmat Shah looks to cut but gets a bottom edge on the bounce to the keeper.

Around off, Sediqullah Atal goes back and works it through square leg for a single.

Another beauty. Perfect off break, drifting in from around the wicket, and then spinning and bouncing past the outside edge, as SA misses his drive.

Outside off, short of a length, Sediqullah looks to chop it to point and run but is sent back.

FOUR! Helped away. Down the leg side, Atal gets down on a knee and pull-sweeps it to the fine leg fence. Moves to 90 (100).

Full, outside off, Sediqullah Atal looks to drive but misses.

On middle and off, worked through mid-wicket for a brace. 10 runs from the over.

On a length, outside off, Sediqullah punches it through the covers for a single. 200 UP FOR AFGHANISTAN, 99 more needed from 79 balls.

FOUR! PUMMELLED! Dropped short, outside off, Sediqullah Atal pulls it through square leg. The fielder in the deep hares to his left and dives, but the ball goes through.

Landed on a good length, outside off, Atal punches it through point for a couple.

Full and outside off, Sediqullah Atal drives it straight back to the bowler.

On a good length, outside off, Rahmat Shah punches it through the point zone for a single.

Hoey keeps the length relatively short, on middle and leg. Atal gets side on inside the crease and nudges it to mid-wicket.

Shorter and turning away from off, dabbed off the back foot towards backward point for one more.

Dragged length, this one goes across the left-hander. Sediqullah Atal rocks back and pushes it tentatively to mid off and sets off for a single. However, there is a mix-up between the batters but the mid off fielder is unable to release the throw cleanly.

Floated up around off, turning back in. Atal stays low and waits back, gliding it behind point for a couple of easy runs.

Flighted up on middle, Atal looks to reach for it and flick but gets it off the inner half of the blade to mid-wicket.

Tossed up, full on leg, drifting in. Shah makes room and drives it back past the bowler, towards long off for a single.

Back of a length, pushed wide of the off stump. Shah leans on a bit and taps it to sweeper cover for another single. 112 needed now off 90 balls.

Slower ball outside off, just guided away through backward point for a run.

Short of a good length, around off and nibbling away. Atal looks to cut but misses.

MISFIELD, FOUR! Pitched fuller at the stumps, flicked away uppishly and past mid-wicket. Substitute Ben Calitz in the deep runs to his left but puts in a lazy dive and goes over the ball, allowing the ball to trickle onto the ropes.

Dug in well short around off, Shah stays back and just angles the pull down through backward square leg for a single.

Bowled back of a length, on off. Rahmat Shah stands tall to defend.

Quicker and flatter, skidding across off. Atal hops back and jams it out to short extra cover.

Good length on off, tucked across to mid-wicket from inside the crease.

Shorter one around off, drifted in a bit. Shah punches it away past covers and turns the strike over.

Tossed up around off, Atal goes for the sweep again but miscues it down to deep third for a single.

A bit of an appeal for LBW, turned down by the umpire. Seemed to be turning past the off stump. Tossed up on middle, Sediqullah Atal lunges for the sweep but the ball just skids on and hits Atal on the pads.

Dragged shorter and outside off, eased off the back foot and through cover-point for a single.

Another single to end the over, 10 runs off it. Back of a length, in and around, guided off the back foot to deep third for a run.

Pitched up on off, angling in, Atal walks inside the line and punches it down to long on for one more.

Hard length in the channel, Shah looks to play it in front of square on the off side but gets an inside edge to backward square leg. A single taken.

Full and straight, driven down to the right of mid on for an easy single.

SIX! Put away with disdain! Marginally short on middle, Sediqullah Atal picks the length in a trice and just whacks it up and over deep mid-wicket for a huge six.

Swing and a miss! Pitched fuller and outside off, Sediqullah Atal looks to hit through the line but misses out as the ball goes past the outside edge.

A bit short again, it is the leg break that turns. Shah rocks back to cut but chops it down in front of point. A couple of tidy overs from Hoey from this end.

Flatter one attacking the stumps, Shah works it across to mid-wicket.

Fractionally short and outside off, cut away to the left of deep backward point. The fielder in the deep makes a fine stop and keeps it down to two runs.

Pushed through quicker and fuller on off, driven straight to cover.

Well bowled! A googly now, drifted into the legs. Rahmat Shah backs away to cut but gets cramped and nearly chops it onto the stumps off the pads.

Hoey drags it down a bit, on the fifth stump line. This is smacked off the back foot to mid off for a single.

shorter in length, angled across off. Atal gets on his toes and dabs it wide of the cover fielder for another quick single.

FOUR! Wow, what a shot! Good-length delivery outside off, Sediqullah Atal just gets on the front foot and punches the lofted drive over covers and picks up four runs.

Too full, in fact, a low full toss on off. Shah drives it straight back and the bowler deflects it to extra cover in the follow-through. Shah pinches a quick single.

A bit of an appeal for LBW, but the umpire turns it down. Probably sliding down leg. Full of a good length on middle, jags back in sharply and catches Rahmat Shah on the front pad.

FOUR! Shah has played the short ball brilliantly all day long. A skiddy bumper over middle, hooked away wide of long leg for a boundary.

Back of a length, around middle, hitting the deck hard. Shah stays bak to defend.

Flatter delivery on off, stabbed off the back foot towards mid-wicket. Hoey ends with a couple of dots.

Dragged length around off, punched off the back foot and straight to cover.

Slogged away high in the air, but it lands safely. Tossed up outside off, Sediqullah Atal sits down for the slog sweep but gets a top edge that falls in between the deep mid-wicket and deep square leg fielders. Atal picks up two runs as well.

Flighted up on middle and leg, Shah drives it along the carpet and down to long off for one more.

Fuller and flatter around off, Atal lunges across and drags the sweep to deep backward square leg for a run.

Nagging length around off, turning in a bit. Atal presses back and defends it down the pitch.

Full and slanted into the pads, flicked away through square leg for yet another single. 150 UP FOR AFGHANISTAN! 149 needed now off 126 balls.

Tap and run! McCarthy attacks the top of off stump, Shah just nudges it down with soft hands towards cover and picks up a quick single.

Another single as Atal tugs the good-length delivery off the pads and down to long leg.

Hammered into the deck, slanted into the hips. Shah misses the tuck and gets it off the thigh pads to fine leg. A leg bye signalled.

Fuller now and outside off, Atal scythes it towards deep backward point and turns the strike over.

Back of a length, on off, Shah punches it down to point, where Curtis Campher fumbles it behind and concedes a single.

On middle and leg, flicked away behind square leg for a single. 9 off that over.

FOUR! Slightly streaky. Flatter one on off, turns away as well. Rahmat Shah rocks back to cut but gets more off an outside edge and past backward point for a boundary.

That will be FIFTY FOR ATAL! Good length on off, eased off the back foot and through backward point for a run. Sediqullah Atal is having a series to remember as he brings up his 3rd ODI half century.

looped up, full and drifting into the stumps. Atal digs it back to the bowler.

Shorter, turning into the hips, worked away off the back foot to long leg for a single.

Tossed up on off, Shah lunges to drive but gets an inside edge past the square leg fielder and picks up a couple of runs. Excellent running.

Landed outside off, short and googly, SA goes back and pushes it behind point for a couple, to move to 49.

Full and down the leg side, Rahmat flicks it through square leg for a run.

Quicker, outside off, short of full, Rahmat Shah reaches out and guides it straight to short third.

Another wrong 'un, Sediqullah leans and works it through mid-wicket for a single. The stand moves to 110 (126).

SIX! UP AND OVER! Nifty footwork. Tossed up, outside off, Atal comes down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and lofts it cleanly over mid off. There is no one at long off but would not have mattered. The ball clears the ropes with ease. 168 more needed from 142 balls.

The googly, around off, shorter in length, Sediqullah Atal defends it back down the pitch.

Landed outside off, short in length, Rahmat punches it straight to cover where Curtis Campher loses his footing and the ball goes through. Two runs taken by the time the throw comes back.

Short, outside off, Rahmat Shah goes back and steers it towards short third.

Landed outside off, on a fuller length, SA pushes it towards cover for a single.

Full, outside off, Sediqullah looks to play the reverse sweep but misses.

Slower through the air, outside off, fuller in length, Atal comes forward to defend.

On a length, outside off, Sediqullah Atal punches it towards cover.

FOUR! All the pressure building is released. Short and wide outside off, Rahmat Shah reaches out and punches it through point for a boundary. The 100-RUN STAND comes up, in 117 balls. What a fightback.

A good short ball, outside off, the skipper looks to pull but the ball comes very slowly off the wicket. Goes off the toe end of the bat and drops down on the leg side.

Full and straight, Sediqullah Atal works it through mid on for a run. Harry Tector gets across to field but fumbles.

Short again, outside off, Shah punches it to Cade Carmichael at the cover boundary for a single.

Pacey ball. On a length, angling in, Rahmat looks to flick but misses and is hit on the body.

Short and outside off, Rahmat Shah leaps and tries the cut but misses.

Outside off, punched through the covers for another single.

Short, outside off, Sediqullah Atal goes back and cuts it through cover for one.

Full again, outside off, SA reaches out and drives it back to the bowler.

GRIP AND TURN. Full, outside off, Sediqullah lunges to drive but the ball pitches and spins away past the outside edge.

WIDE. Full and down the leg side, Atal looks to sweep but misses.

Fuller, around middle, Rahmat Shah eases this through mid on for a run.

Short, down the leg side, Sediqullah Atal punches it through mid on for a single. The stand moves to 90 (106).

On a good length, around middle and leg, helped towards Carmichael at deep mid-wicket for another single.

On a good length, outside off, Shah punches this straight to Carmichael at sweeper cover for one. 189 more needed from 163 balls.

Dropped short, outside off, from around the wicket, Sediqullah Atal goes for the pull but does not connect cleanly. The ball flies off the upper half of the bat but does not carry to Cade Carmichael at deep mid-wicket. A run taken.

50 UP FOR RAHMAT SHAH! Relief for the skipper who has been having a torrid time in ODIs. He has got there in just 56 balls and after soaking the pressure early on, he has got his side back in this chase. Comes forward and works this through mid on for a single for his milestone.

A sharp bouncer, outside off, Rahmat pushes at it but is beaten by the extra bounce.

EDGED, FOUR! On a length, outside off, Rahmat Shah pushes at it, away from his body. There is no feet movement and hence, the outside edge is generated. But the ball flies through the vacant slip region, beating Liam McCarthy to his left at deep third. Moves to 49.

Full, around off, the skipper eases this down to long on for a run.

Full, around off, Sediqullah pushes it towards Cade Carmichael at cover who misfields and concedes another single. The stand moves to 80 (98).

Around off, punched through the covers for a run.

On a good length, outside off, Rahmat punches it through the covers. Jai Moondra takes a bit of a while to get to the ball from sweeper, to his right and the batters return for the second. 100 UP FOR AFGHANISTAN, 199 more needed from 171 balls.

Fractionally short, outside off, Rahmat Shah punches it through the covers where Gavin Hoey gets across and slides to his left, to stop the ball.

Full and around off, Atal pushes it with soft hands towards cover and takes a quick single.

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

FOUR! POUNDED! Another bad ball. Short and wide outside off, Rahmat Shah stands tall and slaps it over point for a boundary. 11 from the over, 22 in the last 2! Rahmat moves to 41 (49).

On a good length, outside off, Rahmat feels for it but misses.

OVERTHROW. Ireland getting sloppy in the middle now. On a good length, outside off, Rahmat Shah punches it straight to point. Should have been just a single but the fielder has a needless shy at the keeper's end, with no one backing up. By the time fine leg can get across, the batters return for the second. The stand moves to 70 (91).

Back of a length, around middle, Sediqullah rises with the bounce and dabs it to the leg side for a single. 209 more needed from 177 balls.

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

FOUR! Fine shot. Dropped short, around off, Sediqullah Atal pulls it through mid-wicket and the ball races away to the fence! Once again, the bowler is under pressure with the first ball going for a boundary.

Dragged length around off, punched off the back foot but Shah can't get it past Harry Tector at short cover once again.

FOUR! The Afghans are laying into the leggie. An in-drifter on the pads, Shah sits down and sweeps it away past the short fine leg fielder and helps himself to a boundary.

Excellent fielding! A loopy delivery, floated full and wide outside off. Rahmat Shah laces the cover drive but Harry Tector makes a sharp stop down to his right at short cover.

Down the leg side, Sediqullah goes back and nudges it through square leg for a single.

Landed outside off, the googly, Atal pushes but misses.

SIX! PLUNDERED! Tossed up, around off, Sediqullah Atal gets down on a knee and slog sweeps it way over mid-wicket, immediately putting pressure on the leggie. 219 more needed from 185 balls.

Pitched fuller on off, angling it in. Shah plays a lovely on drive but drills it straight to the fielder at mid on.

FOUR! High on the bat, but Shah gets enough power on it. A heavy-length ball, shortish and on middle. Shah forces the pull up and over the mid-wicket region for a boundary.

Length ball, slanted back in towards off. Rahmat Shah gets on the front foot and plays it with a straight bat towards mid off.

On a good length, outside off, Rahmat Shah punches it straight to point.

Outside off, short in length, Atal flays it away, but finds sweeper cover. Just a single. 229 more needed from 190 balls.

On a good length, around middle and off, Sediqullah Atal rises with the bounce and drops it to the leg side.

Tossed full and wide outside off, Sediqullah Atal steps out but gets too close to the pitch of the ball, slicing the lofted shot towards sweeper cover for a single.

Flatter on middle and off, Shah backs away and cuts it to deep point for one more.

Full ball on the pads, swept down to the left of deep backward square leg for just a single. Good fielding in the deep from Curtis Campher.

Tossed up, around off, another wrong 'un, Atal reaches out and pushes it towards cover.

Indrifting delivery, but a full toss around leg stump. Rahmat Shah leans and clips it towards long on. Short mid-wicket dives to his left but cannot stop it. A run taken.

A touch short, outside off, the googly, Sediqullah Atal goes back and works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Loose from Rahmat Shah. Good-length delivery, outside off, and shaping away late. Shah's feet get stuck to the crease and he throws his hands at it, failing to make a connection.

A tad shorter, in the channel, punched away square through the off side for a single.

Back of a length, on off and middle, nurdled across to short mid-wicket.

On a good length, down the leg side, Rahmat flicks it towards fine leg for a run.

Full, on middle, Rahmat Shah drives it towards mid on.

A touch short, outside off, Sediqullah Atal plays the back foot punch. The timing is so sweet that he nearly hits it straight to the man in the deep at point! The ball lands just in front and the batters take a single. The stand moves to 40 (64).

Shorter one on off, stabbed off the back foot and to the right of the diving bowler. Atal gets a single as the mid off fielder cuts it off. 12 off that over.

Flatter now around leg, the length is pulled back as well. Atal presses back to defend.

FOUR! A shot of class and that should get Atal going. Floated up, very full and outside off. Sediqullah Atal leans on and strokes it past extra cover for a boundary.

Very full, outside off, jabbed towards cover.

Outside off, punched through point for a single.

SIX! POWERFUL! A big drag down. Around off, Rahmat Shah rocks back and pulls it mercilessly over mid-wicket. It is a flat hit and the ball clears the ropes with ease. 50 UP FOR AFGHANISTAN. 244 more needed from 209 balls. The stand moves to 33 (58).

Past the outside edge. On a good length, outside off, Sediqullah feels for the ball but the ball pitches and moves away, nearly taking the outside edge. Decent start by Campher as well.

On a good length, just around off, angling in, Atal works it towards short mid-wicket.

Full and just outside off, from around the wicket, Sediqullah Atal defends solidly.

Back of a length, outside off, Shah eases this past a diving point's right, for a single to sweeper.

Similar ball, this time Rahmat punches it through the covers for a well-run couple.

Curtis Campher to bowl now. And immediately on the mark. On a good length just outside off, Rahmat Shah looks to dab it to the off side but the ball pitches and holds its line, beating the outside edge.

FOUR! A loosener to end the over. Short and down the leg side, Sediqullah Atal gets outside the line and pull-helps it to the fine leg fence.

Fuller, but down the leg side. RS clips it towards fine leg for a single.

Another short ball, outside off, the skipper pulls it through square leg for a brace. 258 more needed from 218 balls.

On a good length, outside off, rising higher, Shah defends it towards cover.

Shorter, outside off, good bounce, Rahmat cuts it behind point. Should have been just a single but Jai Moondra, running across to his right from deep point, fumbles and concedes the second.

On a length, outside off, Rahmat Shah punches it through point where Curtis Campher dives to his left and makes a wonderful stop. The crowd appreciates that.

Full, around off, Atal works it off the inner half towards mid on. Another frugal over, yielding just a solitary run.

On a good length, at middle and off, Sediqullah Atal defends by getting right behind the line.

A short ball, down the leg side, the skipper gets outside the line and pulls it along the ground to deep backward square leg for a single.

On a good length, around off, angling in, Shah hops and nudges it to the leg side.

On a good length, around middle and off, Rahmat punches it towards mid on.

Full, around off, Rahmat Shah stays leg side of the ball and drives it towards mid off.

On a length, outside off, Rahmat works it through square leg for a single.

A short ball, outside off, too much bounce. Rahmat Shah initially looks to let it go, but then decides to go for the pull. In the end, he plays it awkwardly with both feet in the air, keeping the ball on the ground. Well played, but had he left it alone, he would have got a wide.

A bit too straight, short and down the leg side, Sediqullah swivels to pull but misses. The ball goes off his body towards square leg and the batters take a leg bye.

WIDE. A bouncer, in the bowler's arc, goes well over the batter's head. and even down the leg side.

Full and straight, Atal watchfully works it to the leg side.

Neill continues to bash the back of a length area. Outside off, this one generates steep bounce, Sediqullah Atal rises with the bounce and drops it down on the pitch to the leg side.

On a length, outside off, Rahmat Shah works it through square leg for a single.

Full and around off, pushed into the leg side.

On a length, around middle, Atal nudges it towards square leg and sets off for a single, but then changes his mind.

On a length, outside off, worked through mid-wicket for a single.

A touch short, outside off, Rahmat cuts it straight to point.

Down the leg side, Sediqullah Atal worked through square leg for a single.

Full and straight, defended back to the bowler.

Another dot ball to end the over, just a boundary off it. Bowled a bit short and outside off, Shah stays upright and stabs it down in front of point. Afghanistan are 30/2 after the first 10 overs, chasing 299 for the win.

A peach from Neill. The in-between length, lands it around off and gets it to straighten down the track. Rahmat Shah looks to defend but the ball breezes past the outside edge.

On a good length, in and around off, Shah gets well forward and defends it off.

Should have been put away! Short and wide, there to be hit, but Rahmat smacks it straight down to the point fielder.

Just back of a length, on the fifth stump line and going straight on. Shah shoulders arms.

FOUR! That's a fine shot. Short ball around off, Rahmat Shah hangs back and hooks it away past square leg for his first boundary of the game.

Straying on the pads again, Atal tucks it firmly and wide to the right of fine leg, picking up a couple of runs.

Shah is finally off the mark. Too straight in line, clipped off the pads and down to fine leg for a single.

Back of a length, angling across off, punched off the back foot but straight to point. 11 dots in a row for Afghanistan.

Good length, around the top of off, Shah confidently strides forward and pushes it to cover.

It has come to a standstill with the bat for Afghanistan right now. A bit fuller around leg, shaping back in. Rahmat Shah looks to work it away but wears it on the pads. Again, going down leg.

A length ball, angled across the off stump, slides right on. Shah makes a leave.

Neill starts with a maiden! Fuller than a good length, slanted well into the pads. Atal fails to flick it away, and the ball goes off the pads to the leg side. A muted appeal for LBW, but that's going well down leg.

Good-length delivery, naturally angling in from the fifth stump line. Atal leaves it alone.

Inviting the drive, and beats the bat. Fuller and outside off, seems to be holding its line but moves away late. Sediqullah Atal goes for the booming cover drive but gets beaten past the outside edge.

Shorter in length just outside off, Sediq rises with the bounce and taps it down to point.

Back of a length, in the channel, doesn't rise much. Sediqullah Atal blocks it off the back foot.

Jordan Neill comes into the attack. He starts on a nagging length, sliding it in towards off. Atal blocks it off.

Fuller one in the channel, looking for the inswing, but the ball goes straight on. Shah shoulders arms.

Flies off the outer half of the blade, but lands safely. Banged in short and outside off, angling away, Atal is tentative but goes after it and slashes it on the bounce to deep third for a run.

Moondra pulls the length back, bowling it straighter as well. Atal presses on the toes and blocks it just to the leg side.

Edged, but drops short! Good length, in the channel, just holding its line. Sediqullah Atal looks to defend with soft hands but gets an outside edge on the bounce to Andy Balbirnie at second slip.

Pitched on a fuller length again, outside off, Atal plays a flowy drive but hits it straight to cover-point.

A big appeal for LBW, turned down by the umpire. A full ball on middle and leg, darting back in. Sediqullah Atal leans on to flick but misses and gets pinged on the front pad. Seemed to be angling down leg. Also, there were two noises, but replays later show that the ball hit the pads and nothing else.

On a length, outside off, Rahmat feels for it but the ball moves away to beat the outside edge. WICKET MAIDEN from McCarthy, whose bowling figures read a stunning 3-1-5-2!

Landed outside off, solidly defended.

On a length, outside off, Rahmat Shah punches it towards cover.

OUT! BY GEORGE, DOCKRELL STUNS! It is also his 50TH CATCH IN ODI CRICKET. What a catch. On a length, outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz swings for the hills but hits this a touch too early. As a result, he gets a lot of height, but not the distance. The ball just about clears mid on but Dockrell over there follows the trajectory, and runs back, back and back, covering nearly 30 yards. Turns around a bit as well but does not lose focus. Eventually, takes the catch and dives forward! That is an absolutely world-class catch. Double blow to Afghanistan as Gurbaz goes cheaply. AFGHANISTAN ARE 22/2, NEED 277 FROM 267!

A touch shorter, around middle, Gurbaz is behind the line to defend it down the pitch.

Aha... On a length, at the stumps, Rahmanullah Gurbaz charges down the track and swings hard, but misses the ball totally. The ball just about grazes the bails on its way to the keeper, travelling over middle.

Full and around off, SA works it towards short mid-wicket.

On a good length, around middle, Sediqullah gets right behind the line and defends it towards mid on.

WIDE. Total loss of radar. Moondra slips this way down the leg side, Atal does not even bother about the flick.

Landed on a good length, outside off, extra bounce, Rahmanullah dabs it behind point for a single.

EDGED, FOUR! Fuller length, outside off, angling away, Rahmanullah Gurbaz goes hard on the drive and gets a thick outside edge. The ball flies in the air, but luckily for him, it is in the gap between backward point and point, racing to the fence behind. 279 more needed from 273 balls.

On a good length, around middle and off, Sediqullah Atal looks to defend but misses. The ball goes off the pads towards cover and the batters take a leg bye.

No run. Swing and a miss! The batter swings hard at that one but does not connect.

Didn't that take the edge? The bowler certainly feels so, but no one from behind the wickets appeals. Short of a length, outside off, Gurbaz goes for the cut but the ball lands on the seam and then moves away a mile, wobbling in the air, beating his attempted shot. A wicket and just a solitary run from the over, Liam McCarthy's bowling figures read 2-0-5-1 so far.

Short of full, outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz pushes it towards gully.

On a good length, around off, Sediqullah Atal pushes it towards point for a single to get off the mark.

OUT! TOP EDGE AND TAKEN! Early strike from Ireland and it is of the highly consistent Ibrahim. The maestro is bounced out actually. A quick short ball, around off, Zadran goes for the pull, but is beaten by pace and bounce. The ball is through before the bat can come down completely and hence, the top edge is induced. The ball goes straight up in the air and the keeper, Lorcan Tucker, calls for it. Runs to his right a touch and pouches it safely. A rare failure for Zadran and Afghanistan are 14/1 in a chase of 299!

On a good length again, outside off, decent bounce once more, Ibrahim rises with the bounce and punches it towards cover.

On a good length, around off, steep bounce, Ibrahim Zadran punches it towards point.

On a length, outside off, pace off, angling away, Gurbaz punches it towards cover. Good comeback by the bowler after the first 2 boundary balls.

A quick ball. Short and wide outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz slashes hard but is beaten by pace and bounce.

Full and straight, RG defends it back down the pitch.

The length is held back now, around off, angling away, Rahmanullah lets it pass.

FOUR MORE! Better connection, same result. A touch fuller, around middle and leg, Gurbaz stands still and powers it over mid on once more, for a boundary after a couple of bounces. Two in two.

FOUR! MURDERED! Gurbaz gets his first boundary now. On a length, around middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz backs away to the leg side and swings it, albeit a bit higher of the bat, over mid on for a boundary. 289 more needed from 287 balls.

Full, around middle, hint of away shape, Zadran looks to work it to the leg side but gets a bit of a leading edge towards cover.

On a length again, outside off, good bounce, IZ punches it towards cover.

EDGED, FOUR! The first boundary of the chase is fortuitous. On a length, around off, Ibrahim Zadran looks to punch it through the off side but the ball takes the outside edge and flies past second slip. There is deep third but the ball goes too fine to his left, into the fence.

Ooohhh.. almost gets his man. On a good length, slightly wider outside off, Ibrahim looks to punch it through the off side but the ball pitches and moves away off the seam, beating the outside edge.

On a length, around off, defended solidly again.

On a good length, around off, steep bounce, Ibrahim Zadran gets right behind the line to defend.

A good, tight start from Moondra. On a length, closer to the off stump, holding its line, Gurbaz watches it go past.

Both openers are off the mark now. On a length, outside off, IZ looks to punch it through the off side, but gets a thick outside edge behind gully towards deep third. A run taken.

A full toss now, hint of inswing, Zadran drives but cannot get it past Harry Tector at mid off, who gets across quickly to his left.

Fuller, slightly wide outside off, angling away, Ibrahim reaches out to drive but mistimes it towards cover.

Fuller, around off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it towards cover.

A good short ball, at the ribs, Rahmanullah Gurbaz tucks it towards square leg and gets off the mark immediately with a single.