Ireland vs Afghanistan, 5th T20I Highlights: Ireland defeated Afghanistan by seven wickets (D/L method) in the rain-reduced fifth Twenty20 international. Batting first, Afghanistan scored 95/5 in 15 overs with Usman Ghani (44) top scoring for them. M Adair took 3/16 for Ireland. Ireland took just 6.4 overs to reach the revised target of 56 losing just three wickets.
Afghanistan (Playing XI): Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Usman Ghani, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi(c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fareed Ahmad Malik
Ireland (Playing XI): Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie(c), Lorcan Tucker(w), Harry Tector, George Dockrell, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Simi Singh, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little
Here are the HIghlights from the 5th T20I between Ireland and Afghanistan:
Ireland vs Afghanistan, 5th T20I
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The chase is set to begin. Afghanistan players take the field. Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie walk out to open for the hosts. Naveen-ul-Haq to start with the new ball.
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... The Run Chase ...
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Ireland started off pretty well thanks to an exceptional start with the ball by Mark Adair, he picked up three huge wickets to put Afganisthan at 26/3 inside the Powerplay. Ghani and Najibullah Zadran put 40 between them and they were looking good to settle before Joshua Little was brought back into the attack and took two wickets in quick succession to put his side back in front. Usman Ghani managed to pick up the pace of his innings but the rain gods interrupted the game at 15 overs. After quite a long waiting game, we are back for some cricketing action. Stay tuned for the chase...
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UPDATE 10.55 pm IST (5.25 pm GMT) - Well, we come bearing some good news this time. So, as expected Afghanistan won't be coming back out to bat again. The Ireland batters will walk out to bat in a short while to chase down a revised target of 56 runs in just 7 overs.
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UPDATE 10.40 pm IST (5.10 pm GMT) - The ground staff is working really hard to make the condtions suitable for playing. The covers are being peeled off now. Only the hover cover lies over the pitch now and even they are being taken off. Shouldn't be long before we get going. Stay tuned for further updates.
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UPDATE 10.18 pm IST (4.48 pm GMT) - The rain has completely stopped now. The Super Sopper is also out now trying to work its magic. The two umpire are closely inspecting the playing conditions. Hopefully, we get going shortly. Stay tuned for further updates.
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UPDATE 10.06 pm IST (4.36 pm GMT) - The conditions are slightly better now. The rain has reduced, although the covers are still on. The chances of Afghanistan coming out to bat again look slim. However, there is no official update out yet. Stay tuned...
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Fortunately, there is some cricketing action that is going on at the moment, as even the England vs South Africa Test match ended prematurely on Day 1 due to rain early on. You can certainly switch tabs and catch some live action in the Women's Hundred. The Oval Invincibles Women are chasing a target of 113. They need 81 runs more in 77 balls to get over the line against Trent Rockets Women. Do not forget to keep an eye out for the updates here.
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We are back and without losing any overs. Ireland players have made their way in the middle along with Azmatullah Omarzai and Usman Ghani. OH NO! Wait!!! The rain is back in a flash and so are the hover covers. The wait game continues here. Hopefully, it is just a passing shower. I guess I am wrong, it has started to pour down heavily and maybe it will be a long delay.
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UPDATE 9.32 pm IST (4.02 pm GMT) - Some good news coming your way! The rain has stopped and the covers are coming off. It shouldn't be long before we get going. Stay tuned.
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UPDATE 9.12 pm IST (3.42 pm GMT) - Oh dear! It looks like the rain has gotten a bit heavier now and the umpires have asked the players to empty the field. The ground staff is out on the field to put the covers on. Hopefully, it is not a long delay. Stay tuned for further updates.
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14.62Curtis Campher to Azmatullah Omarzai
Shorter and on off, Azmatullah Omarzai pulls it. The ball goes in the air and lands safely at square leg. They collect two.
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14.50Curtis Campher to Azmatullah Omarzai
Fuller and just outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai looks to block it but misses.
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14.41Curtis Campher to Usman Ghani
On a length and on middle, Usman Ghani works it to mid-wicket for one.
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14.34Curtis Campher to Usman Ghani
FOUR! Slightly shorter and outside off, Usman Ghani slaps it past backward point for a boundary.
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14.21Curtis Campher to Azmatullah Omarzai
On a length and on middle, Azmatullah Omarzai knocks it to long on for one.
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14.10Curtis Campher to Azmatullah Omarzai
Touch fuller and on middle, Azmatullah Omarzai defends it solidly.
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Change. Curtis Campher (3-0-13-0) is back on now.
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13.61Gareth Delany to Azmatullah Omarzai
Flatter and on middle, Azmatullah Omarzai drives it to covers for one again.
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13.51Gareth Delany to Usman Ghani
Loopy and on middle, Usman Ghani guides it to cover point. They cross.