22:06 IST: That is it from the first T20I. Afghanistan should have won and Afghanistan have won. But not without huffing and puffing. Some poor shot selection almost cost them the match, something they would be wanting to get rid of, before the second game. Ireland, well, they just need to play spin better. How can they achieve it is something debatable but they have to find an answer somehow. They do not have too much time to do it, for the second T20I is not far off – scheduled on Saturday, February 23, at 6.30 pm local (1300 GMT). Join us then. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
22:02 IST: Asghar Afghan says that the first game of a series is very important and is extremely happy to be 1-0 up. Admits that the top order played some poor shots and credits the middle order for stepping up as the last time, the middle order had a lot of pressure. On the squad, Afghan says that he would like to win the series first and then give opportunities to the rest of the players.
21:59 IST: Mohammad Nabi has been named the Man Of The Match. Says that as a batting side, Afghanistan were under pressure at 50/5 but he just focussed on playing normal cricket, taking singles, score 4-5 runs per over and take it till the end. Admits that sometimes the arm ball works on this type of a pitch.
21:59 IST: Paul Stirling feels that they did not have a good score on the board. Though, he feels that at the halfway mark, they had a slight chance. Praises Afghanistan for fighting hard. Laments the loss of Stuart Thompson in the middle of the chase but does not look too seriously into the injury. Informs that an assessment will be taken on Friday morning.
21:58 IST: Earlier in the match, Ireland opted to bat on what seemed like a flat track but did not counter the dew. In any which ways, they needed a minimum of 160-170 to stand a chance but they had no answer to the guile of Nabi, the spin of Rashid or the cunningness of Mujeeb. It is like answering Maths, Social Studies and Language on the same day of your board exam. All the best then. Please stay tuned for the presentation…
21:55 IST: Coming to Ireland, they thought they were in the game but in reality, they weren’t. They were just given some false hope. With the pitch not offering much and plenty of dew around, defending modest totals was always going to be difficult and so good is this Afghan batting line-up that they bat at least till number 10. Shane Getkate tried his best and so did Little but there was little that even the two combined could do.
21:52 IST: Nabi and Zadran just illustrated that T20 is not about just boundary-hitting. They came together in the 8th over and did not score a single boundary till the 13th over. After settling down, they played their strokes, which is ideally the way the top order should have played too. As they say, experience cannot be bought or sold.
21:49 IST: Comfortable win for the ‘hosts.’ We can go all ga-ga about the calmness instilled by Mohammad Nabi and Najibullah Zadran but to be honest, it was nothing but shoddy batting from the top order. Just throwing their wickets away and giving Ireland a hope of winning this.
21:47 IST: 19.2: P Chase to M Nabi, HIGH, HIGH, HIGH BUT NOT A SIX! Nabi does not get a 50 but AFGHANISTAN WIN. Full and outside off, Nabi backs away and goes for the glory shot, being on 45, targetting the long off boundary. He skies this miles in the air but unfortunately for him, the ball just lands inside the ropes! Stranded on 49 but a victory for his side.
21:46 IST: 19.1: P Chase to M Nabi, That ball has taken the inside edge onto the pads.
21:46 IST: Last over. 1 needed. Chase to bowl.
21:45 IST: 18.6: B Rankin to M Nabi, The batsman gets an inside edge on that which goes fine down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.
21:45 IST: 18.5: B Rankin to M Nabi, The batsman tries to pull that one but failed to connect it.
21:44 IST: 18.4: B Rankin to M Nabi, SIX! That is so sweet! Full and outside off, Nabi backs away and drives this without any effort way over extra cover!
21:43 IST: 18.3: B Rankin to M Nabi, PARTNER-KILLER! Oh dear… you wouldn’t want to do that, would you? Full and around middle, Nabi backs away and throws the kitchen sink at this. Hits this hard down the ground but Najibullah comes in his way. Is hit flush on the arm. The batsman deflects it off and smiles. The umpire smiles too because had Zadran not come in the way, the ball would have hit the umpire instead.
21:43 IST: 18.2: B Rankin to M Nabi, Full and around off, Nabi looks to defend but the ball squirts off the inside edge to short fine leg.
21:42 IST: 18.1: B Rankin to N Zadran, Works it down the leg side for a single.
21:41 IST: 17.6: J Little to M Nabi, Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
21:40 IST: 17.5: J Little to N Zadran, Bounced short, pulled through mid-wicket for a run.
21:40 IST: 17.4: J Little to M Nabi, Driven through mid off by the batsman. One run added to the total.
21:39 IST: 17.3: J Little to N Zadran, Another leading edge, lands safely again. Single taken off the flick.
21:38 IST: 17.2: J Little to N Zadran, FOUR! My dad always says that fighting scenes in old Bollywood movies towards the climax are kind of free for all. Just now, remembered that saying. With the match about to come to a close, both the batsmen are going for broke. A length ball, around middle, cleanly swung over mid-wicket for a boundary.
21:37 IST: 17.1: J Little to N Zadran, Outside off, a swing and a miss.
21:37 IST: 16.6: B Rankin to M Nabi, TOP EDGE, SAFE AGAIN! A full ball, around middle, MN gets across to flick but plays all around it, due to the late outswing. The ball goes off the leading edge towards third man where two fielders make a total mess of it. Or almost. Two runs taken. 10 from this one, 25 from the last 2.
21:36 IST: 16.5: B Rankin to M Nabi, A short ball, around off, Nabi looks to pull but misses and is hit on the arm.
21:35 IST: 16.4: B Rankin to M Nabi, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.
21:34 IST: 16.3: B Rankin to M Nabi, FOUR! Oh yes… this is surely catapulting now. Full and on middle, Nabi backs away and bang. Hammers it down the ground and beats a poor diving long on.
21:34 IST: 16.2: B Rankin to M Nabi, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs.
21:33 IST: 16.1: B Rankin to M Nabi, TOP EDGE, SAFE! Full and outside off, Nabi swings hard but gets a top edge. Luckily for him, it lands safely, wide of deep backward point. Two runs taken.
21:32 IST: 15.6: J Little to N Zadran, SIX! Over the ropes! Ha ha ha… going in for a quick finish? A short ball, around middle, Najibullah swivels and pulls it over deep backward square leg! 15 from the over and I daresay, it is game over for Ireland. 26 needed from the final 4.
21:31 IST: 15.5: J Little to N Zadran, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
21:31 IST: 15.4: J Little to N Zadran, Looks for another swing but is beaten by the lack of bounce. The ball does not carry to the keeper.
21:30 IST: 15.3: J Little to N Zadran, FOUR! Swung and swung hard! A length ball, around off, Zadran swings it wide of mid-wicket and beats the fielder in the deep! 50-RUN STAND COMES UP AS WELL! 100 is up for Afghanistan too. 32 needed from 27 now. Surely coasting…
21:29 IST: 15.2: J Little to M Nabi, Outside off, driven through mid off for a single.
21:29 IST: 15.1: J Little to M Nabi, FOUR! Welcome back into the attack! Full and outside off, Nabi drives this beautifully, wide of mid off and gets a boundary!
21:28 IST: Joshua Little is back on. 2-0-6-1 so far.
21:27 IST: 14.6: P Chase to M Nabi, Works it with soft hands wide of long on and crosses over. 8 runs from the over without any risk.
21:27 IST: 14.5: P Chase to M Nabi, Full and outside off, eased through the covers for a brace. The stand moves to 41 from 45 balls. Nabi moves to 21 from 22.
21:26 IST: 14.4: P Chase to N Zadran, Dropped short, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single.
21:26 IST: 14.3: P Chase to N Zadran, Works this down the leg side for a couple.
21:25 IST: 14.2: P Chase to M Nabi, A lovely delivery, coming in with the angle from outside off, Nabi misses his flick and is hit on the pads. Chase screams his lungs out in an LBW appeal but there seemed to be two sounds there. The umpire does not give any signal when the batsmen take a single. He too thinks that there was wood.
21:24 IST: 14.1: P Chase to N Zadran, That has hit him on the knee. Around leg stump, Zadran misses his tuck and the ball goes past the pad and hits him on the inner half of the knee. Deflects towards square leg and the batsmen cross over. Actually he limps across to the other end.
21:24 IST: Peter Chase is back into the attack.
21:23 IST: 13.6: S Getkate to N Zadran, Another cutter, played with a loose bottom hand towards long on for a run. That is not a bad comeback at all from Getkate – 6 from the first 3, just 1 from the next 3. He finishes with figures of 4-0-21-1. 49 more needed from 36 balls. Najibullah moves to 20 from 24 balls.
21:22 IST: 13.5: S Getkate to N Zadran, Slower ball, around off, Najibullah is earlier into his punch and mistimes it back to the bowler.
21:22 IST: 13.4: S Getkate to N Zadran, Yorker outside off, or say, just short of it, pushed towards cover.
21:21 IST: 13.3: S Getkate to M Nabi, Works it through mid-wicket for a run.
21:20 IST: 13.2: S Getkate to M Nabi, FOUR! Easily done. Poor bowling, short and waist-high on a slow pitch, Nabi just uses his experience and maturity to swivel and direct the ball to the backward square leg fence. It was a pull but not full-blooded.
21:20 IST: 13.1: S Getkate to N Zadran, Full and around middle, Zadran drives it straight back. Getkate gets a hand to it but diverts it to long off. A single taken and the bowler is annoyed with himself.
21:19 IST: 12.6: G Dockrell to M Nabi, Outside off, another missile, Nabi looks to cut but misses.
21:18 IST: 12.5: G Dockrell to N Zadran, Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. One run added to the total.
21:18 IST: 12.4: G Dockrell to N Zadran, Fired in quicker outside off, Najibullah looks to flick but gets a leading edge towards point.
21:17 IST: 12.3: G Dockrell to N Zadran, FOUR! A BOUNDARY AFTER 46 BALLS! That will come as a can of oxygen supply to the Afghans. Short and outside off, Zadran goes back and cuts it through point. There is no one square on the off side and by the time sweeper gets around, it is too late!
21:17 IST: 12.2: G Dockrell to N Zadran, Full and around leg, worked through mid-wicket with soft hands for a well-run couple.
21:17 IST: 12.1: G Dockrell to N Zadran, Landed outside off, steered straight to backward point.
21:16 IST: George Dockrell comes on at last.
21:15 IST: 11.6: S Getkate to N Zadran, Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a run.
21:15 IST: 11.5: S Getkate to N Zadran, Outside off, pushed straight to point.
21:15 IST: Hamid Hassan on air informs us that it has been 45 balls since a boundary has been scored. Adds further that he is very surprised as he reckons, AFGHANISTAN ONLY LOVES BOUNDARIES. Roger that, shouldn’t we?
21:14 IST: 11.4: S Getkate to N Zadran, Overpitched outside off, driven through the covers for a couple.
21:13 IST: 11.3: S Getkate to M Nabi, Pushes this through mid on for a run.
21:13 IST: 11.2: S Getkate to M Nabi, Driven through mid on by the batsman. A committed effort by the fielder to save runs for his team.
21:12 IST: 11.1: S Getkate to N Zadran, Full and outside off, punched down to long off for a single.
21:12 IST: 10.6: S Singh to M Nabi, Full and outside off, Nabi gets a long way across to flick but misses and wears it on his pads. There is a massive shout for LBW but the umpire is not interested. Impact was a million miles outside off.
21:11 IST: 10.5: S Singh to M Nabi, Outside off, punched towards long off but short extra cover gets across quickly to his right to stop the ball.
21:11 IST: 10.4: S Singh to N Zadran, Full and down the leg side, flicked through square leg for a single.
21:09 IST: Simi Singh will bowl the remainder of the over. Meanwhile, the groundstaff takes the opportunity to sweep the ground with the dew rope. Plenty of moisture on the outfield.
21:08 IST: Some issues here for Thompson. He is clutching his hamstring. He tries walking a bit, but then calls for the physio. This is not looking good. STUART THOMPSON IS WALKING OFF.
21:07 IST: 10.3: S Thompson to N Zadran, Outside off, played straight to point.
21:06 IST: 10.2: S Thompson to M Nabi, Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a run.
21:06 IST: 10.1: S Thompson to N Zadran, Around middle and leg, helped through square leg for a single.
21:05 IST: 9.6: S Getkate to N Zadran, The batsman opens the face of the bat and helps it to third man. They pick up a single.
21:04 IST: 9.5: S Getkate to N Zadran, Full and around off, Zadran looks to drive but is early into the shot. The ball goes off the inner half back to the bowler.
21:04 IST: 9.5: S Getkate to N Zadran, ANOTHER WIDE. Number 7 so far from Ireland. Down the leg side, NZ misses his flick. There comes a noise when the ball goes. past. Did that brush the pad? No idea…
21:03 IST: 9.4: S Getkate to M Nabi, Full and outside off, driven loosely towards long off for one.
21:03 IST: 9.3: S Getkate to N Zadran, Another slower ball, holds off the deck, Zadran is early into his flick and the ball goes off the inner half of the bat, uppishly, wide of short mid-wicket. A single taken.
21:02 IST: 9.2: S Getkate to M Nabi, Around middle and leg, helped through mid-wicket for a run.
21:02 IST: 9.1: S Getkate to M Nabi, Full and around middle, pushed down the ground but short mid-wicket gets across to his left and stops the single.
21:01 IST: 8.6: S Thompson to M Nabi, On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.
21:00 IST: 8.5: S Thompson to N Zadran, The batsman plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. They pick up a single.
21:00 IST: 8.5: S Thompson to N Zadran, WIDE. Down the leg side, short in length, Najibullah misses out on the pull. The bowler appeals for the catch but receives no support.
20:59 IST: 8.4: S Thompson to M Nabi, Around middle and off, tucked through square leg for a run. Zadran wants the second but is sent back. Good call. The fielder came in quickly.
20:58 IST: 8.3: S Thompson to M Nabi, Full and outside off, driven straight to point.
20:58 IST: 8.2: S Thompson to N Zadran, Outside off, dabbed to third man for a single.
20:57 IST: 8.1: S Thompson to N Zadran, Around middle and off, solidly defended.
20:56 IST: 7.6: S Getkate to M Nabi, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.
20:56 IST: 7.5: S Getkate to N Zadran, Outside off, punched through the off side for a run.
20:56 IST: 7.4: S Getkate to N Zadran, Outside off, played straight to point.
20:55 IST: 7.3: S Getkate to M Nabi, Around middle and leg, helped towards mid-wicket for a single.
20:55 IST: Najibullah Zadran walks in. This is not done yet. The batting keeps on coming…
20:54 IST: 7.2: S Getkate to S Ashraf, OUT! Caught! Get him, mate Getkate! This would have been the warcry from Stirling. And Getkate has got the wicket. Another one goes down. Are we in for an upset? Full and around off, Ashraf looks to flick but is a tad too early into the shot. It is a leg cutter, which does not help his cause either. Induces a leading edge which goes high in the air and surprisingly, carries to deep backward point. Joshua Little takes it with his palms facing skywards. Half the side is down… 83 needed from 76…
20:53 IST: 7.1: S Getkate to S Ashraf, Full and around middle, beautifully timed through mid-wicket with the flick shot earning Ashraf a couple.
20:52 IST: Shane Getkate into the attack as well.
20:51 IST: 6.6: S Thompson to S Ashraf, Outside off, finally puts bat to ball, guiding it to third man for a run.
20:51 IST: 6.5: S Thompson to S Ashraf, Appeal for a catch! Turned down. The Irish did seem excited… Similar ball to the previous one, on a length outside off, Sharafuddin went out to play that too but was beaten by the away movement. Nothing much from the replays to give it out…
20:50 IST: 6.4: S Thompson to S Ashraf, Outside off, on a length, Ashraf feels for it but the ball kicks off nowhere and beats the outside edge.
20:49 IST: 6.3: S Thompson to S Ashraf, Landed outside off, steered behind point for a brace.
20:49 IST: 6.2: S Thompson to M Nabi, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
20:49 IST: 6.1: S Thompson to S Ashraf, Outside off, punched through the off side for a single.
20:47 IST: Sharafuddin Ashraf walks in at number 6, replacing Shinwari. Stuart Thompson into the attack as well.
20:47 IST: 5.6: J Little to S Shinwari, OUT! Caught! Well, this is some serious competition between the Afghan batsmen to throw their wickets away. A length ball, around middle, Shinwari backs away, aiming to clear the infield but only manages to sky it in the air. He is in no control at all but luck seems to be on his side. It dips onto the fielder but the big man Kevin O’Brien covers good strides to his left, keeps his eyes on the ball and takes a good low catch! 43/4 in the Powerplay for Afghanistan as opposed to 37/2 from the Irish. They just need 90 from 84 balls but are making it look like 190 here…
20:45 IST: 5.5: J Little to S Shinwari, Around middle and off, solidly defended from the crease.
20:45 IST: 5.4: J Little to S Shinwari, Outside off, punched towards mid off.
20:44 IST: 5.3: J Little to S Shinwari, Around off, going away, Shinwari slashes hard but misses.
20:43 IST: C’mon! Hello! Can you see me? The umpire is frantically signalling towards the groundstaff for some sawdust. Around 7-8 people are standing, looking at the action but not a soul is interested in obeying. Okay. Finally someone comes. A bit of sawdust sprinkled around the bowler’s runup.
20:42 IST: 5.2: J Little to S Shinwari, Around middle and leg, worked to the leg side.
20:41 IST: 5.1: J Little to S Shinwari, Outside off, punched off the back foot.
20:41 IST: 5.1: J Little to S Shinwari, A short ball outside off, Shinwari bails out of the pull.
20:40 IST: Joshua Little is back on. 1-0-5-0 so far.
20:39 IST: 4.6: P Chase to S Shinwari, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. 12 from the over, could have been a double-wicket maiden…
20:38 IST: 4.5: P Chase to M Nabi, Around middle and leg, helped through mid-wicket for a run.
20:38 IST: 4.4: P Chase to M Nabi, EDGED AGAIN, FOUR AGAIN! Does not matter if you are three down. Just throw your bats around. A carbon copy of the Shinwari boundary in this over. Full and wide outside off, like Samiullah, even Nabi throws his bat at that without moving his feet. He too, gets an outside edge. Luck helps him as well, taking the ball over first slip to the third man fence.
20:37 IST: 4.3: P Chase to M Nabi, Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.
20:36 IST: 4.2: P Chase to S Shinwari, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.
20:36 IST: 4.1: P Chase to S Shinwari, EDGED, FOUR! There is no tomorrow for Afghanistan. Every ball has to be hit out of the park. Not totally understandable at this stage. Full and wide outside off, Shinwari throws his bat at it, does not move his feet and the ugly slog results in a thick outside edge. Luckily for him, it flies over the vacant slip cordon to the third man fence.
20:35 IST: 4.1: P Chase to S Shinwari, WIDE. Down the leg side, flick shot missed.
20:35 IST: Mohammad Nabi walks in at number 5, replacing Janat. Meanwhile, Peter Chase changes ends as well. 1-0-4-1 so far.
20:34 IST: 3.6: B Rankin to K Janat, OUT! Caught! Second wicket in the over! Boy – are we onto something here? A short ball, outside off, Janat looks to pull but the ball comes on quicker than his anticipation. Takes the top edge but goes nowhere – straight up in the air and George Dockrell takes it calmly at short mid-wicket. Change of ends works for Rankin – 5/2 in this one.
20:33 IST: 3.5: B Rankin to K Janat, The batsman defends it from within the crease.
20:33 IST: 3.4: B Rankin to K Janat, Lovely ball to welcome the newcomer. On a length outside off, Janat plays inside the line and is beaten as the ball moves away late.
20:32 IST: Karim Janat walks in at number 4, replacing Zazai.
20:31 IST: 3.3: B Rankin to H Zazai, OUT! Terrific shot but straight to the fielder! Lucky wicket for the bowler. A nothing ball. Short and asked to be smashed, bowled on middle. Hazratullah swivels and pulls hard but finds Stuart Thompson to perfection at deep square leg. A meter either side of him and it would have been a boundary or a six. But…
20:30 IST: 3.2: B Rankin to S Shinwari, The batsman works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.
20:30 IST: 3.1: B Rankin to S Shinwari, FOUR! The bowler has changed ends but there has been no change in his bowling. Overpitched outside off, Shinwari drives it down the ground. Paul Stirling dives to his right but only parries it to the fence behind.
20:29 IST: Change of ends for Boyd Rankin. 1-0-16-0 so far.
20:28 IST: 2.6: J Little to S Shinwari, Full and outside off, driven towards mid off for a single.
20:28 IST: 2.5: J Little to S Shinwari, Outside off, punched off the back foot.
20:27 IST: 2.4: J Little to S Shinwari, The batsman defends it from within the crease.
20:27 IST: 2.3: J Little to S Shinwari, FOUR! Edged away, but poor piece of fielding. A short ball outside off, bit of width, Shinwari slashes hard and gets a thick outside edge. It flies down to third man where Boyd Rankin gets across, slides but slips due to the excess dew. At least, that is what he seemed to indicate. The ball goes through to the fence.
20:26 IST: 2.2: J Little to S Shinwari, Around off, punched towards the off side where a superb stop is made at gully.
20:25 IST: 2.1: J Little to S Shinwari, A good nut to start. On a good length around off, comes in a long way, Shinwari looks to defend but is cut into half. The ball takes the inside edge, hits him on the pads and goes above the stumps on the bounce to the keeper.
20:25 IST: Joshua Little into the attack now.
20:24 IST: 1.6: P Chase to H Zazai, Backs away and punches this straight to point. 4 runs and a wicket from the over, of which, 3 were wides.
20:23 IST: 1.6: P Chase to H Zazai, THIRD WIDE IN THE OVER! This should actually be awarded as two wides, it was that far. Miles down the leg side, Zazai misses his flick and the poor keeper has to dive to his right.
20:23 IST: 1.5: P Chase to H Zazai, Excellent yorker on middle, watchfully dug out to the leg side.
20:22 IST: 1.5: P Chase to H Zazai, ANOTHER WIDE. Another one down the leg side, Hazratullah misses his pull and the ball goes off his pads to the keeper. Unlucky for the bowler.
20:21 IST: 1.5: P Chase to H Zazai, WIDE. Down the leg side, Zazai misses his flick.
20:20 IST: 1.4: P Chase to S Shinwari, Full and around off, driven through mid on for a single.
20:20 IST: 1.3: P Chase to S Shinwari, Around off, defended from the crease.
20:19 IST: Samiullah Shinwari walks in at number 3, replacing his skipper.
20:19 IST: 1.2: P Chase to A Afghan, OUT! There goes the first wicket! Afghan is gone. A length ball, outside off, Asghar comes down the track and tries to blast it through the off side. But neither does he go over the top, nor does he keep it down. Simple catch to Shane Getkate.
20:18 IST: 1.1: P Chase to A Afghan, A length ball outside off, Afghan comes down the track and swings wildly but misses.
20:17 IST: Peter Chase to bowl from the other end.
20:17 IST: 0.6: B Rankin to H Zazai, SIX! Safe shot. Short of a length delivery, Zazai looks to pull but gets a top edge. It goes to the fielder at deep square leg who goes back to take the catch but steps into the boundary ropes. He throws it after landing into the rope. Big over for Afghanistan. 16 runs came from it.
20:16 IST: 0.5: B Rankin to H Zazai, FOUR! Second boundary of the over. Short of a length delivery, Zazai looks to pull but gets an inside edge towards fine leg for a boundary.
20:15 IST: 0.4: B Rankin to A Afghan, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot for a single.
20:15 IST: 0.3: B Rankin to A Afghan, Another short ball, this is outside off, Asghar looks to pull but misses.
20:14 IST: 0.2: B Rankin to A Afghan, FOUR! Superb placement. A slightly short ball, around middle, Afghan gets the first Afghan boundary by pulling this behind square leg. The ball just races away…
20:14 IST: 0.1: B Rankin to H Zazai, A length ball, around middle and leg, Zazai looks to flick but gets a thick inside edge onto his thigh. The ball rolls towards square leg and the batsmen take a single.
20:11 IST: Welcome back for the run chase. 133 to win for Afghanistan to go 1-0 up. What are the chances of a road blockage? Hazratullah Zazai and Asghar Afghan will open for the ‘home’ side. Boyd Rankin will start off proceedings. Zazai to face. Here we go…
19:58 IST: Ireland managed to get some sort of an understanding of the pitch with an unbeaten 67-run stand for the 7th wicket but one feels that it came a bit too late. Still, if they manage to pick up 2-3 wickets in the Powerplay for less than 40 runs, you never know. Stay tuned…
19:56 IST: When Paul Stirling was dropped early, it seemed like it was going to be his night. But Afghanistan just are way too professional. Just as a balanced human being puts his life’s troubles behind him and keeps looking for the future, the Men In Blue just kept thinking ahead. The wickets kept tumbling one after the other with everyone bowling well, barring Farid Malik, who was not too bad either.
19:54 IST: Hmmm… to end with 132 from 65/6 is definitely a reasonable effort. But if Afghanistan were to be told that they would be chasing less than 140 at the toss, they would definitely take it. The pitch looks a good one to bat on and 133 is definitely chaseable.
19:53 IST: 19.6: F Maliks to G Dockrell, SIX! A biggie to end the innings! A short ball outside off, delivered slowly, Dockrell picks the change in pace, walks across, gets down on a knee and swats it over mid-wicket! IRELAND FINISH ON 132/6!
19:53 IST: Last ball then… Four? Six? Wicket?
19:53 IST: 19.5: F Maliks to S Poynter, Yorker on middle, dug out to the off side for a quick run.
19:52 IST: 19.4: F Maliks to G Dockrell, Full and around off, Dockrell gets a long way across as he looks to flick but misses. Is hit on the pads and there is an LBW appeal but no one is caring.
19:51 IST: 19.3: F Maliks to G Dockrell, Full and outside off, chipped wide of long off for a couple.
19:51 IST: 19.2: F Maliks to G Dockrell, FOUR! A full toss, around middle and leg. Dockrell helps it to the fine leg fence!
19:50 IST: 19.1: F Maliks to S Poynter, A slower ball outside off, on a length, firmly struck through the covers for a single.
19:49 IST: 18.6: R Khan to S Poynter, Flighted delivery on off, Poynter cuts it towards point for a run.
19:48 IST: 18.5: R Khan to S Poynter, SIX! Good use of the feet. Flighted delivery on middle and leg, Poynter comes down the track and lofts it over long on for a biggie. 50-RUN STAND IS UP. Some sort of respectability now…
19:48 IST: 18.4: R Khan to S Poynter, That kept low. Tossed up on off, Poynter looks to cut but gets beaten on this one due to low bounce.
19:47 IST: 18.3: R Khan to G Dockrell, Short delivery, Dockrell pulls it through mid-wicket for a run.
19:47 IST: 18.2: R Khan to G Dockrell, Tossed up on off, Dockrell drives it to covers.
19:47 IST: 18.1: R Khan to S Poynter, Bowls a googly on off, Poynter makes room and hits it over mid off. The batsmen take a single.
19:46 IST: 17.6: F Maliks to S Poynter, Short on off, Poynter slaps it through covers for a run.
19:45 IST: 17.5: F Maliks to G Dockrell, Length delivery on middle, Dockrell punches it towards mid on for a single.
19:44 IST: 17.4: F Maliks to G Dockrell, Length delivery on middle, Dockrell flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen pick up a couple.
19:44 IST: 17.3: F Maliks to S Poynter, Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a run.
19:43 IST: 17.2: F Maliks to G Dockrell, That ball has taken the inside edge and thudded into his pads. One run added to the total.
19:42 IST: 17.1: F Maliks to S Poynter, Landed outside off, dabbed to third man for a single.
19:42 IST: Farid Malik returns. 2-0-13-0 so far.
19:41 IST: 16.6: R Khan to S Poynter, Floated on middle, Poynter sweeps it towards square leg for a run.
19:41 IST: 16.5: R Khan to G Dockrell, Full on middle, Dockrell drives it towards mid on for a run.
19:40 IST: 16.4: R Khan to S Poynter, Short delivery, Poynter pulls it through mid-wicket for a run.
19:40 IST: 16.3: R Khan to S Poynter, FOUR LEG BYES! Floated on middle and leg, Poynter looks to play the reverse sweep but misses it and gets hit on the pads. It goes towards fine leg. The fielder chases it but in vain. Rashid Khan appealed but no one to support.
19:39 IST: 16.2: R Khan to G Dockrell, Comes down the track and pushes it to long on for a run.
19:39 IST: 16.1: R Khan to S Poynter, Outside off, chopped down to third man for a single.
19:39 IST: Rashid Khan to bowl out now.
19:38 IST: 15.6: Ur Rahman to G Dockrell, That ball has taken the inside edge and thudded into the pads.
19:37 IST: 15.5: Ur Rahman to S Poynter, SAFE AS A HOUSE. Short delivery on middle, Poynter looks to pull but gets a top edge. It goes towards short fine leg. The fielder collects it and throws it at the keeper’s end. The keeper whips the bails off in a flash and appeals. It is referred upstairs and replays show that the batsman was well in.
19:36 IST: Run out appeal! Looks safe…
19:36 IST: 15.4: Ur Rahman to S Poynter, Tossed up on off, Poynter looks to cut but gets a bottom edge. It goes to the keeper on one bounce.
19:35 IST: 15.3: Ur Rahman to G Dockrell, Floated on middle, Dockrell sweeps it towards square leg for a run.
19:35 IST: 15.2: Ur Rahman to G Dockrell, FOUR! Good shot. Flighted delivery on leg, Poynter sweeps it fine towards fine leg for a boundary.
19:34 IST: 15.1: Ur Rahman to S Poynter, Flighted delivery on middle, Poynter flicks it towards square leg for a run.
19:34 IST: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to bowl out. 3-0-13-1 so far.
19:34 IST: 14.6: S Ashraf to S Poynter, Short delivery, Poynter pulls it over mid-wicket for a run.
19:33 IST: 14.5: S Ashraf to S Poynter, FOUR! Nice shot. Plays it very fine. Floated on off, Poynter plays a late guide towards third man for a boundary. The fielder had no chance there.
19:33 IST: 14.4: S Ashraf to S Poynter, Flighted delivery on off, Poynter plays a reverse sweep towards third man.
19:32 IST: 14.3: S Ashraf to S Poynter, Floated on middle, Poynter defends it off the front foot.
19:32 IST: 14.2: S Ashraf to G Dockrell, On the pads, worked through mid-wicket for a single.
19:32 IST: 14.1: S Ashraf to G Dockrell, Full and fast, at the stumps, blocked back to the bowler.
19:31 IST: Sharafuddin Ashraf to have a go now. Bowls left-arm off spin.
19:30 IST: 13.6: R Khan to G Dockrell, Tossed up on middle, Dockrell looks to defend but it goes of the inner half of the bat. It goes towards mid-wicket. The batsmen take a run.
19:30 IST: 13.5: R Khan to G Dockrell, Short and outside off, Dockrell cuts it through point. The batsmen get two runs.
19:29 IST: 13.4: R Khan to S Poynter, Floated on middle, Poynter drives it towards the bowler where Khan dives but it goes through him. It goes towards mid on. The batsmen take a run.
19:29 IST: 13.3: R Khan to S Poynter, Full on off, Poynter plays it towards third man.
19:29 IST: 13.2: R Khan to G Dockrell, Landed outside off, dabbed to short third man for a single.
19:28 IST: 13.1: R Khan to G Dockrell, Full and around off, watchfully defended.
19:27 IST: 12.6: M Nabi to G Dockrell, Tossed up on middle and leg, Dockrell nudges it towards the leg side for a run.
19:27 IST: 12.5: M Nabi to S Poynter, Full on middle, Ponyter drives it towards mid on for a run.
19:27 IST: 12.4: M Nabi to G Dockrell, Floated on middle and leg, Dockrell sweeps it towards square leg for a run.
19:26 IST: 12.3: M Nabi to S Poynter, Tossed up on middle and leg, Poynter sweeps it through square leg for a run.
19:26 IST: 12.2: M Nabi to S Poynter, FOUR! Nice improvisation from Poynter. Flighted delivery on middle, Poynter plays a reverse sweep towards point for a boundary.
19:25 IST: 12.1: M Nabi to S Poynter, Tossed up on middle, Poynter defends it off the front foot.
19:24 IST: 11.6: R Khan to S Poynter, Flighted delivery on middle and leg, Dockrell flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
19:24 IST: 11.5: R Khan to S Poynter, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
19:24 IST: Stuart Poynter walks in at number 8, replacing Getkate.
19:23 IST: 11.4: R Khan to S Getkate, OUT! LBW! Second wicket in the over! Rashid is flying already. Full and fast, in line of the stumps, Getkate looks to sweep but misses. Is hit right in front of the stumps and the umpire does not take long to raise the finger. This team may not even play 20 overs.
19:22 IST: 11.3: R Khan to S Getkate, Full and around off, watchfully defended.
19:22 IST: Shane Getkate is in at number 7, replacing Thompson.
19:21 IST: 11.2: R Khan to S Thompson, OUT! TIMBER! The leg spinner from Rashid. Rashid Khan strikes in his first over. Flighted delivery on leg, Thompson looks to play a sweep shot but misses it completely and gets bowled. Ireland lose half their side. The visitors lose their fifth wicket.
19:20 IST: 11.1: R Khan to G Dockrell, Starts with a short delivery on middle, Dockrell pulls it through mid-wicket. The batsmen take a run.
19:20 IST: Rashid Khan finally comes on to bowl.
19:19 IST: 10.6: M Nabi to G Dockrell, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total.
19:19 IST: 10.5: M Nabi to S Thompson, A short ball around off, pulled through mid-wicket for a single.
19:18 IST: 10.4: M Nabi to S Thompson, RUN OUT CHANCE! MISSED! Oh dear… what luck for Thompson. Floated on middle, Stuart flicked it towards mid-wicket. Two fielders get across from square leg and one of them throws the ball to the keeper. Now, there is some confusion between the batsmen as Dockrell is not ready to run while Thompson wants the second. But on seeing Dockrell stationary, Thompson stops dead. Now Dockrell starts to run but Thompson gives up. He is gone for all money but luckily for him, the ball shoots below and the poor keeper has no chance. Laughs all around.
19:17 IST: 10.3: M Nabi to S Thompson, Full and around off, Thompson looks to sweep but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.
19:17 IST: 10.2: M Nabi to S Thompson, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
19:17 IST: 10.1: M Nabi to S Thompson, Around off, pushed towards point.
19:16 IST: 9.6: K Janat to G Dockrell, Good length delivery on off, Dockrell plays it towards point.
19:16 IST: 9.5: K Janat to S Thompson, Short of a length delivery, Thompson looks to pull but gets a top edge towards square leg. It falls in no man’s land. The batsmen take a run.
19:15 IST: 9.5: K Janat to S Thompson, WIDE! Bowls it down the leg side, Thompson looks to pull but misses it.
19:14 IST: 9.4: K Janat to S Thompson, Good ball from Janat. Good length delivery on middle and leg, Thompson looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
19:14 IST: 9.3: K Janat to G Dockrell, Length delivery on off, Dockrell plays it towards point for a run.
19:13 IST: 9.2: K Janat to S Thompson, Full again on middle, Thompson drives it towards mid on for a run.
19:12 IST: 9.1: K Janat to S Thompson, FOUR! Fantastic shot from Stuart. Full and wide outside off, Thompson drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary.
19:11 IST: 8.6: M Nabi to G Dockrell, Full and around middle, worked straight to short mid-wicket. 2 runs and a wicket from the over, Nabi’s figures read 2-0-4-2!
19:11 IST: 8.5: M Nabi to G Dockrell, Outside off, punched through the covers for a single to get off the mark.
19:10 IST: George Dockrell walks in at number 6, replacing Simi.
19:09 IST: 8.4: M Nabi to S Singh, OUT! Stumped! The arm ball does the trick for Nabi and he has his second in the span of 6 balls. Bowled outside off, Singh comes down the track to defend but misses the line completely and gets stumped. Probably the bowler sensed that the batsman is going to dance. Accordingly changed the music. Decent glovework by Shafiqullah Shafaq.
19:09 IST: 8.3: M Nabi to S Thompson, Tossed up on middle, Thompson flicks it through mid-wicket. The fielder tries to collect it cleanly but fumbles it. The batsmen take a run.
19:08 IST: 8.2: M Nabi to S Singh, Goes back and tucks it around the corner through square leg for a single.
19:08 IST: 8.1: M Nabi to S Singh, Full and around off, watchfully defended.
19:07 IST: 7.6: K Janat to S Thompson, Length delivery on off, Thompson plays it towards point. The batsmen pick up a couple. 50 UP FOR IRELAND. Big over. 11 runs have come from it.
19:06 IST: 7.5: K Janat to S Singh, Short delivery, the batsman pulls it towards fine leg for a run.
19:05 IST: 7.4: K Janat to S Singh, SIX! First six of the match. HAMMERED AWAY! Length delivery on middle, Singh comes down the track and lofts this over long on for a biggie.
19:05 IST: 7.3: K Janat to S Thompson, Full on off, Thompson drives it through covers for a run.
19:04 IST: 7.2: K Janat to S Singh, Length delivery on middle and leg, Singh flicks it towards square leg for a run.
19:03 IST: 7.1: K Janat to S Singh, Good length delivery on off, Singh defends it off the back foot.
19:02 IST: 6.6: M Nabi to S Thompson, Full and around off, watchfully defended.
19:02 IST: Who is in next to face the music? Simi Singh in at number 5.
19:01 IST: 6.5: M Nabi to P Stirling, OUT! Ireland lose their third wicket. They are in deep trouble now. Tossed up on middle, Stirling plays a slog sweep over mid-wicket. He does not get enough on it. Najibullah Zadran takes a comfortable catch near the boundary. So it takes just 5 balls for Nabi to strike.
19:00 IST: 6.4: M Nabi to P Stirling, Comes down the track to flick but misses and is hit on the pads.
19:00 IST: 6.3: M Nabi to P Stirling, Around off, defended from the crease.
19:00 IST: 6.2: M Nabi to S Thompson, The batsman defends it from within the crease. The batsmen have run through for a single.
18:59 IST: 6.1: M Nabi to P Stirling, Follows the batsman down the leg side, seeing him itching to go off side, Stirling still manages to push it towards point for a single.
18:59 IST: Mohammad Nabi into the attack now.
18:58 IST: 5.6: K Janat to S Thompson, FOUR! Good shot. Full on off, Thompson drives it through covers for a boundary. 10 runs and a wicket came from the over. 37/2 in the Powerplay.
18:57 IST: Stuart Thompson walks in at number 4, replacing Balbirnie.
18:57 IST: 5.5: K Janat to A Balbirnie, OUT! Balbirnie departs! Good length delivery on middle, Balbirnie looks to flick but gets hit on the pads due to the inward movement on this one. The bowler appeals and the umpire raises his finger immediately. Ireland lose their second wicket.
18:56 IST: 5.4: K Janat to A Balbirnie, Good length delivery on off, Balbirnie defends it off the back foot.
18:55 IST: 5.3: K Janat to A Balbirnie, FOUR! Nice shot. Short of a length delivery, Balbirnie pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
18:55 IST: 5.2: K Janat to P Stirling, Length delivery on middle and leg, Stirling flicks it towards square leg for a run.
18:54 IST: 5.1: K Janat to A Balbirnie, Length delivery on middle, Balbirnie tucks it towards mid-wicket. The fielder from mid-wicket goes for a direct hit at the bowler’s end but misses it. The batsmen take a run.
18:53 IST: Karim Janat introduced into the attack now.
18:52 IST: 4.6: Ur Rahman to P Stirling, Full and outside off, Stirling gets down to sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. A mild LBW appeal goes up but the impact was outside off.
18:51 IST: 4.5: Ur Rahman to P Stirling, Floated on off, Stirling plays it towards mid off.
18:51 IST: 4.4: Ur Rahman to P Stirling, FOUR! Good improvisation from Paul Stirling. Flighted delivery on middle, Stirling gets down on one knee and plays a scoop over short fine leg for a boundary.
18:50 IST: Andy Balbirnie comes in at number 3, replacing Kevin O’Brien.
18:50 IST: 4.3: Ur Rahman to K O’Brien, OUT! Caught! There comes the first wicket. Mujeeb strikes. Full and following the batsman down the leg side, Kevin is cramped for room as he looks to play the lofted shot. He does go through with the same but does not quite get the distance he needed. The height is nice but not the distance. Simple catch for Mohammad Nabi at long on. Probably a wrong choice of a shot too. Could have gone off side as there was a long on and a deep mid-wicket in place.
18:49 IST: 4.2: Ur Rahman to P Stirling, Around off, swung towards square leg for a single.
18:48 IST: 4.1: Ur Rahman to P Stirling, Full and down the leg side, fired on the pads, Stirling comes down the track but is beaten in flight. Is hit on the pads.
18:47 IST: 3.6: F Maliks to P Stirling, Full on middle and leg, Stirling drives it towards mid on for a run. Big over for Ireland. 11 runs came from it.
18:47 IST: 3.5: F Maliks to P Stirling, FOUR! Cracking shot. Short and outside off, Stirling smashes it hard through point for a boundary.
18:46 IST: 3.4: F Maliks to P Stirling, Length delivery on middle and leg, Stirling pulls it to mid-wicket.
18:45 IST: 3.3: F Maliks to P Stirling, Length delivery on off, Stirling gets on top of the bounce and cuts it to point.
18:45 IST: 3.2: F Maliks to P Stirling, Full again on off, Stirling drives it over covers. The batsmen pick up a couple.
18:44 IST: 3.1: F Maliks to P Stirling, FOUR! First boundary of the match. Nice Shot. Full and outside off, Stirling drives it hard over point for a boundary.
18:43 IST: 2.6: Ur Rahman to P Stirling, Flighted delivery on middle and leg, Stirling flicks it towards square leg for a run.
18:42 IST: 2.5: Ur Rahman to K O’Brien, Driven towards the mid on region. They pick up a single.
18:42 IST: 2.4: Ur Rahman to K O’Brien, Around off, comes back in, Kevin looks to flick but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.
18:41 IST: 2.3: Ur Rahman to K O’Brien, Flighted delivery on middle and leg, O’Brien looks to drive but gets an inside edge. It goes towards square leg. The batsmen pick up a couple.
18:41 IST: 2.2: Ur Rahman to P Stirling, Floated on middle, Stirling flicks it towards square leg for a run.
18:40 IST: 2.1: Ur Rahman to K O’Brien, The batsman has been struck on the pads as he looked to play that off the front foot. They pick up a single. The Umpire signals a leg bye.
18:39 IST: 1.6: F Maliks to P Stirling, Full and outside off, driven towards mid off.
18:39 IST: 1.5: F Maliks to K O’Brien, Around off, coming in, Kevin looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. Takes a quick run.
18:38 IST: 1.4: F Maliks to K O’Brien, The ball sneaks between the bat and body of the batsman.
18:37 IST: 1.3: F Maliks to K O’Brien, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
18:36 IST: 1.2: F Maliks to K O’Brien, That is a beauty. On a good length around off, O’Brien looks to defend but the ball comes back in a long way and cuts him into half. Beats the inside edge and goes over the off stump.
18:36 IST: 1.1: F Maliks to P Stirling, EDGED, DROPPED! Big moment in the game. A length ball outside off, Stirling goes hard at the drive but gets a thick outside edge due to the extra bounce. Mohammad Nabi at first slip dives to his right but can only get a hand to it. Parries it to third man and the batsmen take a single.
18:35 IST: Farid Malik to bowl from the other end.
18:34 IST: 0.6: Ur Rahman to P Stirling, The batsman plays a sweep shot. One run added to the total.
18:34 IST: 0.5: Ur Rahman to P Stirling, Full and around off, Stirling gets down to sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. There is a massive shout from the Afghans but nothing in it. Probably the impact was outside off.
18:34 IST: 0.4: Ur Rahman to K O’Brien, Tossed up delivery on middle and leg, O’Brien tucks it towards square leg for a run.
18:33 IST: 0.3: Ur Rahman to P Stirling, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single.
18:33 IST: 0.2: Ur Rahman to P Stirling, The batsman has been hit on the pads as he tried to sweep that one.
18:32 IST: 0.1: Ur Rahman to P Stirling, Starts with a tossed up delivery on middle, Stirling offers a forward defense on this one. It goes towards mid-wicket.
18:30 IST: Time for the play to begin. Paul Stirling and Kevin O’Brien are opening for Ireland. Interesting pair. Mujeeb Ur Rahman to start off proceedings with the new ball. The skipper to face. Here we go!
18:30 IST: TOSS – Paul Stirling gets his first call right as skipper. IRELAND WILL BAT FIRST.
18:29 IST: WEATHER REPORT – It is heavily overcast and we can see a drop or two of rain. There is some wet weather forecast, so do not rule out interruptions.
18:28 IST: A picturesque Himalayan range welcomes us all to this wonderful Thursday evening. Of course, the thing is that in such beautiful places, the temperature dips down pretty quickly. Still, not bad conditions to play cricket. But aren’t India playing Australia from Sunday? Oh no o no, this is a neutral series between Afghanistan and Ireland in Dehradun. The series starts with 3 T20Is, then shifts to 5 ODIs before eventually, a one-off Test. Should be fun. Welcome to one and all.
[“source=indiatoday”]