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Ireland vs Afghanistan, 4th T20I Commentary, Live Updates

IRE vs AFG, 2022 - T20 Live Commentary

Ireland vs Afghanistan Scorecard

Match Ended

4th T20I, Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast , Aug 15, 2022

Ireland

105 (11.0/11)

Afghanistan

132/6 (11.0/11)

Afghanistan beat Ireland by 27 runs

Player of the Match

Rashid Khan

31(10)&2/21(3)

That's it then from this rain-truncated game. The series so far has lived up to its billing and it is basically a one-game shootout to decide the winner. The final game will be played on Wednesday, 17th August and the match will begin at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT). The build-up for that game will begin much sooner, so do join us then. Cheers!

Mohammad Nabi, the Afghan skipper, says that he is thankful to the Almighty that they have stayed alive in the series. Feels that it's important to pick early wickets and put pressure on the batting team. Praises Najibullah Zadran for his knock and says that he has been in great form of late. On Rashid Khan, Nabi replies that he is a good batter to have at the death as he has got the power. Mentions that they are improving with every game on the field and are looking forward to the decider. Hopes to do the best and keep it simple and execute the plans.

Andy Balbirnie, the skipper of Ireland, says that the way Rashid Khan and Najibullah Zadran batted at the backend was incredible and it was very hard to bowl at them. Feels that it's never easy in an 11-over contest. He is frustrated with himself for not carrying on after getting a start. Calls it a disappointing day altogether. Andy Balbirnie adds that he is looking forward to the next game and is expecting Afghanistan to come out all guns blazing as they have the momentum.

Rashid Khan (31* off 10 balls and 2 for 21) is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliant showing with both bat and ball. The leggie says that it was a pretty hard couple of games for him as he didn't play much cricket in the last one month or so. He is pleased with his knock as the team needed those runs. Shares that he and Najibullah Zadran tried to stay calm and finish well. Tells that 120-plus was the target in their mind and praises Najibullah Zadran for his knock. He is happy to pick up wickets at last and hopes to continue with his bowling form. Shows a great gesture as he dedicates his award to Fareed Ahmad.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Andy Balbirnie opted to field first due to the overhead conditions but in a shortened game, the plan backfired. Ireland did keep Afghanistan's scoring rate under control for the majority of the innings but Najibullah Zadran and then Rashid Khan went into sixth gear towards the end and just smashed the ball to all parts of the ground. For Ireland, the young leg spinner Gareth Delany starred once again with the ball with his three wickets but every bowler did go for 10 runs or more per over. Ireland had a stiff target to chase down and they just couldn't build up any partnerships as they kept on losing wickets frequently which made a big difference. Afghanistan were clinical on the field and played the big moments well to go on and win the game.

Afghanistan must have been pleased at the break with their exploits with the bat and then they backed it up in the field as well to set up an easy victory. Fareed Ahmad, the man who came in as a replacement for the injured Fazalhaq Farooqi, was the pick of the bowlers as he picked up three wickets, hardly giving away runs as well. Rashid was brilliant as usual and all in all, it was a comprehensive bowling display. There were a couple of bowlers who went the distance but now Afghanistan have all the momentum on their side and will be looking to complete a memorable comeback in the final game.

Ireland were on the back foot at the interval as they had to score around 12 runs per over from the get-go. They did start briskly though with skipper Andy Balbirnie and Paul Stirling both firing. Once the skipper fell though, the wickets kept on tumbling and apart from the openers, none of the premier batters even put up much of a fight. It was then George Dockrell down the order who put up a fight but no one really stayed with him and in the end, Dockrell just had too much to do on his own. Ireland got bundled out on the final delivery and will now have to bounce back quickly if they are to win the series.

Well, no one saw this coming! Afghanistan have fought back brilliantly and have gone from being 2-0 down in the series to levelling it at 2-2 and they have managed to do so with a fairly convincing win here. They were brilliant from start to finish and the Irish have fallen short of the mark here.

End Of The Over 11 : 105/10

4 Runs

010.1
410.2
010.3
010.4
010.5
W 10.6

G. Dockrell

41 (27)

J. Little

0 (0)

Ur Rahman

2-0-13-0

10.6

Mujeeb Ur Rahman To George Dockrell OUT!

OUT! Another run out, another diamond duck and that's all for Ireland. Afghanistan win by 27 runs to level the series 2-2 and have forced a decider. Quicker one, full and around middle, Dockrell hits it firmly towards mid on and sets off for a run. Meanwhile, Mohammad Nabi has released the throw and Little is slow to reach the crease and is run out at the striker's end.

10.5

Mujeeb Ur Rahman To George Dockrell

Full again, around off, Dockrell forces it straight to covers.

10.4

Mujeeb Ur Rahman To George Dockrell

Full and around off, Dockrell fails to sweep and is hit on the pads. A stifled appeal from the bowler but nothing doing.

10.3

Mujeeb Ur Rahman To George Dockrell

Mujeeb keeps it flat and short, around off, Dockrell makes room to whack it through the line but only manages a bottom edge.

10.2

Mujeeb Ur Rahman To George Dockrell

FOUR! Quicker and flatter, around middle and leg, George heaves it across the line and sends it screaming away to the deep square leg fence.

10.1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman To George Dockrell

Flatter and quicker, around leg, Dockrell moves back and tries to slog but misses. It goes off his pads to short fine leg.

The on-field scorers are facing some technical difficulties. The issue has been resolved and we are ready to continue.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman has been trusted to bowl the last over.

End Of The Over 10 : 101/9

10 Runs

29.1
W 9.2
09.3
09.4
69.5
19.6

G. Dockrell

37 (21)

J. Little

0 (0)

A. Omarzai

2-0-25-1

9.6

Azmatullah Omarzai To George Dockrell

Around off, forced down to long off for a single.

9.5

Azmatullah Omarzai To George Dockrell

SIX! 33 needed off 7 balls. Azmatullah Omarzai slips in a full toss, around middle and this time he doesn't get away with it. George Dockrell gives it the full whack of his bat and clubs it over long on.

9.4

Azmatullah Omarzai To George Dockrell

Short and around off, pulled to deep mid-wicket. Again no run is taken.

9.3

Azmatullah Omarzai To George Dockrell

Another low full toss, but Dockrell doesn't get the meat of his bat on it. Hits it to deep mid-wicket. No run taken.

Josh Little is the last man in for Ireland.

9.2

Azmatullah Omarzai To George Dockrell OUT!

OUT! Simi Singh is run out for a diamond duck. A low full toss again, around off, Dockrell goes back and hammers it down to long on. They attempt for the second run again but the throw from the deep is accurate to the bowler who takes the bails off. Singh puts in a dive but to no avail.

9.1

Azmatullah Omarzai To George Dockrell

A low full toss outside off, Dockrell drives it down to long off and a slight misfield allows the batters to return for the second run. 40 needed off 11 balls.

Simi Singh walks out to bat at number 10. Also, Azmatullah Omarzai will bowl the penultimate over.

End Of The Over 9 : 91/8

11 Runs

08.1
48.2
68.3
1 B 8.4
08.5
W 8.6

B. McCarthy

1 (3)

G. Dockrell

27 (15)

R. Khan

3-0-21-2

8.6

Rashid Khan To Barry McCarthy OUT!

OUT! CAUGHT! Barry McCarthy connects this time but the connection is not good enough. Flatter through the air from Rashid, around off, Barry McCarthy stays back and sends it flying over mid off. Not enough power and it's a simple catch for Mohammad Nabi in the deep.

8.5

Rashid Khan To Barry McCarthy

Spinning away from around off, Barry McCarthy tries his best to smash it but misses.

8.4

Rashid Khan To George Dockrell

Loopy and outside off, George Dockrell throws his bat at it but fails to connect. It goes past the keeper and they cross for a bye.

8.3

Rashid Khan To George Dockrell

SIX! Dismissed! Dockrell is keeping the fight alive for Ireland. Full and flighted, around leg, Dockrell steps back to make room and launches it over cow corner for a biggie. 43 needed off 15 balls.

8.2

Rashid Khan To George Dockrell

FOUR! Thumped! Quicker and flatter around off, George Dockrell stays put and powers it back over the bowler's head for a boundary.

8.1

Rashid Khan To George Dockrell

Tossed up and wide outside off, GD swings his bat at it but fails to connect.

End Of The Over 8 : 80/7

12 Runs

17.1
W 7.2
W 7.3
2 NB 7.4
47.4
47.5
1 LB 7.6

G. Dockrell

17 (11)

B. McCarthy

1 (1)

Naveen

2-0-25-2

7.6

Naveen-ul-Haq To George Dockrell

Angling down the leg side, Dockrell tries to flick but misses. It goes off his pads to short fine leg and they cross for a leg bye.

7.5

Naveen-ul-Haq To George Dockrell

FOUR! Smashed! This is brilliant batting. Slower one, short and around off, Dockrell stays on the back foot and whacks it past the bowler. The long off fielder has no chance as it races away to the fence.

7.4

Naveen-ul-Haq To George Dockrell

FOUR! A low full toss around off, Dockrell stays on the back foot and pumps it over covers for a boundary. He will not go down without a fight.

7.4

Naveen-ul-Haq To Barry McCarthy

Fuller and around off, driven to deep cover for one. Called a no ball.

Barry McCarthy comes out to the middle with his side in huge trouble.

7.3

Naveen-ul-Haq To Fionn Hand OUT!

OUT! TAKEN! Make it two in two for Naveen. He delivers it on a fuller length around off, Fionn Hand attempts for a reverse-batted shot but fails to middle it. Ends up hitting it off the bottom edge and it flies straight into the hands of Fareed Ahmad at short third man. Naveen-ul-Haq is on a hat-trick now. 64 needed off 21 balls and this game has slipped away fast from Ireland.

Fionn Hand is the next batter in for Ireland.

7.2

Naveen-ul-Haq To Mark Adair OUT!

OUT! Plumb lbw! A low full toss, sharp in pace, Mark Adair gets across the stumps and tries to flick it on the leg side but misses. He is struck on the pads, they appeal and the finger goes up. That's dead in front.

7.1

Naveen-ul-Haq To George Dockrell

Fuller in length, around off and angling in, Dockrell forces it down to long off for a single.

Mark Adair comes out to the middle. Also, Naveen-ul-Haq is back into the attack for Afghanistan.

End Of The Over 7 : 68/5

5 Runs

16.1
16.2
16.3
06.4
26.5
W 6.6

G. Delany

3 (4)

G. Dockrell

8 (7)

R. Khan

2-0-11-1

6.6

Rashid Khan To Gareth Delany OUT!

OUT! LBW! Rashid Khan ends the over with a wicket and Ireland are falling apart here. Another wrong 'un from Rashid, on a length and turning in from around off. Gareth Delany walks across and exposes his stumps, trying to tuck mit fine on the legn side. Delany though misses the shot and gets pinged on the pads. Rashid appeals while tumbling over and the finger is raised. Afghanistan in complete control at the moment.

6.5

Rashid Khan To Gareth Delany

Is that a run out? The square leg umpire says 'No'. It is the wrong 'un and on the pads. Gareth Delany works it behind square on the leg side and the batters scamper back for two. The throw is fired in at the batter's end and the keeper whips off the bails but Delany is back in time.

6.4

Rashid Khan To Gareth Delany

On a length and around off, Delany keeps it out on the off side.

6.3

Rashid Khan To George Dockrell

Just another single! A tad shorter and quicker, angling into middle and leg. Dockrell pulls it off the back foot and down to long on for one. Ireland need boundaries here.

6.2

Rashid Khan To Gareth Delany

Flatter trajectory, turning it onto the pads, Delany stays back and tucks it away through square leg for one more.

6.1

Rashid Khan To George Dockrell

This is fired into middle, George Dockrell drills it down to long on and picks up a single.

Gareth Delany walks out to the middle.

End Of The Over 6 : 63/4

8 Runs

15.1
25.2
15.3
05.4
45.5
W 5.6

H. Tector

13 (9)

G. Dockrell

6 (5)

F. Ahmad

2-0-14-3

5.6

Fareed Ahmad To Harry Tector OUT!

OUT! CAUGHT! Another blow to Ireland. Full in length and outside off, Harry Tector walks across the stumps for the paddle shot but mistimes it completely. It flies behind to the keeper and Rahmanullah Gurbaz grabs the catch. They appeal and the finger goes up. Harry Tector is not impressed with the decision and argues with the umpire before returning. 70 needed off 30 balls.

5.5

Fareed Ahmad To Harry Tector

FOUR! Put away this time! A low full toss around off, this time Tector connects with his drive and thumps it through covers for a boundary.

5 Penalty runs awarded to Ireland.

5.4

Fareed Ahmad To Harry Tector

FIVE PENALTY RUNS! A low full toss outside off, Harry Tector throws his bat at it but fails to connect. The keeper also fumbles and lets it through his legs. It goes on to hit the helmet kept on the ground behind him and Ireland get some bonus runs.

5.3

Fareed Ahmad To George Dockrell

Back of a length, around off, George Dockrell rocks back to pull but only manages to drag it towards mid on. Just a single.

5.2

Fareed Ahmad To George Dockrell

Back of a length, close to off and angling away, Dockrell steps back and forces it to sweeper cover for a couple.

5.1

Fareed Ahmad To Harry Tector

Angling away from the batter, on a length and slower in pace, Tector mistimes his shot from the inner half to mid on. They cross.

End Of The Over 5 : 50/3

6 Runs

14.1
14.2
14.3
14.4
14.5
14.6

H. Tector

8 (5)

G. Dockrell

3 (3)

R. Khan

1-0-6-0

4.6

Rashid Khan To Harry Tector

Six singles from the over. A googly this time, full and on middle, Tector flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a run. 83 needed off 36 balls.

4.5

Rashid Khan To George Dockrell

Half-tracker again, Dockrell goes back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one more.

4.4

Rashid Khan To Harry Tector

Another short ball and another pull shot, this time from Tector. The ball travels to deep mid-wicket and they take a run.

4.3

Rashid Khan To George Dockrell

Short this time, on middle, Dockrell goes back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

4.2

Rashid Khan To Harry Tector

Goes down and across to a full ball and sweeps it behind square leg for a single.

4.1

Rashid Khan To George Dockrell

Excellent stop! Full and flighted, around off, it's smashed down to long off where the fielder makes a fine stop. They cross.

The dangerous, Rashid Khan is into the attack now.

End Of The Over 4 : 44/3

6 Runs

03.1
13.2
W 3.3
13.4
W 3.5
43.6

H. Tector

5 (2)

G. Dockrell

0 (0)

F. Ahmad

1-0-6-2

3.6

Fareed Ahmad To Harry Tector

FOUR! Hammered! Tector shows all his power there. Width there outside off, fuller in length, Harry gets on the front foot and drills it through covers. It keeps on racing away from the sweeper cover fielder and finds the fence in a flash.

George Dockrell comes out to the middle. Can he take his side to victory?

3.5

Fareed Ahmad To Lorcan Tucker OUT!

OUT! Tucker holes out! A poor shot selection from him, especially after losing Stirling in this over. It's on a length and outside off, Lorcan tries to heave it over the leg side but could not find the middle of his bat. It flies down to Najibullah Zadran at deep mid-wicket who takes a sitter. Ireland are on the back foot now.

3.4

Fareed Ahmad To Harry Tector

Delivers it full and outside off, Tector inside-edges his attempted drive to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Harry Tector is the next man in for Ireland.

3.3

Fareed Ahmad To Paul Stirling OUT!

OUT! Well caught near the fence! Fareed Ahmad grabs the prized scalp. He bangs it in short, around middle, Stirling pulls it with all his power, connects well also but it's a flat hit. The shot lacks elevation and Rashid Khan takes a sharp catch near the fence at deep square leg. Superbly judged. 94 needed off 45 balls.

3.2

Fareed Ahmad To Lorcan Tucker

Mishit! This one is short and around leg, Tucker gets across the stumps and is early into his pull shot. It takes the back of his bat and drops wide of the keeper. They cross.

3.1

Fareed Ahmad To Lorcan Tucker

Play and a miss! Slower in pace, on a length and wide outside off, Lorcan Tucker swishes and misses.

Fareed Ahmad is brought into the attack.

End Of The Over 3 : 38/1

9 Runs

02.1
12.2
62.3
02.4
12.5
12.6

L. Tucker

3 (5)

P. Stirling

20 (8)

Ur Rahman

1-0-9-0

2.6

Mujeeb Ur Rahman To Lorcan Tucker

Serves it full and on off, Tucker puts on his dancing shoes and whips it to deep mid-wicket for one. 9 from the over and at the end of the Powerplay, Ireland are 38 for 1. Afghanistan also were on a similar score after the first three overs. Neck and neck! 95 needed off 48 balls.

2.5

Mujeeb Ur Rahman To Paul Stirling

Loopy and around off, Paul again keeps his weight on the back foot and wrists it to mid-wicket for a run.

2.4

Mujeeb Ur Rahman To Paul Stirling

Shortish and on off, punched off the back foot to covers.

2.3

Mujeeb Ur Rahman To Paul Stirling

SIX! High and handsome! Flighted delivery, full and close to off, Stirling gives himself some room, frees his arms with a beautiful bat-swing and dismisses it over the bowler's head for a maximum. The ball is lost in the trees. And one of the security guards has found it. Well done!

2.2

Mujeeb Ur Rahman To Lorcan Tucker

Fuller and on middle, Lorcan moves back and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

2.1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman To Lorcan Tucker

Flighted and around off, Tucker tries to sweep but misses and it goes off his pads to short fine leg.

Some spin now as Mujeeb Ur Rahman comes into the attack.

End Of The Over 2 : 29/1

15 Runs

41.1
41.2
61.3
W 1.4
01.5
11.6

L. Tucker

1 (2)

P. Stirling

13 (5)

A. Omarzai

1-0-15-1

1.6

Azmatullah Omarzai To Lorcan Tucker

Shortish and outside off, guided through point for one.

1.5

Azmatullah Omarzai To Lorcan Tucker

Full in length and outside off, Tucker swings his bat at it but fails to connect. Paul Stirling has a word with his partner.

Lorcan Tucker comes out to bat at number 3.

1.4

Azmatullah Omarzai To Andy Balbirnie OUT!

OUT! CAUGHT! After spending 14 runs off his first three balls, Azmatullah Omarzai has struck and taken revenge. Fuller in length and around middle, again the pace is sharp, Andy Balbirnie steps back to make room and attempts to blaze it through covers. He though only manages to slice it towards point where Ibrahim Zadran takes a simple catch. A 5-ball 15 in the context of this chase is a good contribution from the Irish skipper.

1.3

Azmatullah Omarzai To Andy Balbirnie

SIX! Massive! Azmatullah Omarzai digs it in short, sharp pace, Andy Balbirnie picks the length in a trice, gets inside the line and pulls it enormously over long leg for a biggie.

1.2

Azmatullah Omarzai To Andy Balbirnie

FOUR! This is excellent batting. Short in length and outside off, Balbirnie camps back and slams it over backward point for a boundary. The last shot prompted the bowler to change his length.

1.1

Azmatullah Omarzai To Andy Balbirnie

FOUR! Fine shot! Serves it on a good length and close to off, Balbirnie stays leg-side of this delivery and clobbers it over wide mid off for a boundary.

Azmatullah Omarzai to share the new ball with Naveen-ul-Haq.

End Of The Over 1 : 14/0

14 Runs

40.1
10.2
10.3
00.4
40.5
40.6

P. Stirling

13 (5)

A. Balbirnie

1 (1)

Naveen

1-0-14-0

0.6

Naveen-ul-Haq To Paul Stirling

FOUR! 14 from the first over and Ireland are off to a flying start. A slower one, short and outside off, Paul Stirling rocks back, waits and slaps it over covers for a boundary.

0.5

Naveen-ul-Haq To Paul Stirling

FOUR! Aerial but safe! Again it's on a length and around off, Stirling gets on the front foot and then checks his drive at the last moment. The ball flies past the diving cover fielder for a boundary.

0.4

Naveen-ul-Haq To Paul Stirling

Beautiful delivery! This one lands on a good length outside off and straightens after landing, Stirling tries to hit through the line but misses.

0.3

Naveen-ul-Haq To Andy Balbirnie

Slightly short and on off, Balbirnie goes on the back foot and strokes it to extra cover. The fielder stops the ball at the edge of the circle and they cross.

0.2

Naveen-ul-Haq To Paul Stirling

Naveen pulls back his length and serves it outside off, Paul punches it to deep point and takes a single.

0.1

Naveen-ul-Haq To Paul Stirling

FOUR! That's a promising start to the chase for Ireland. Fuller in length and outside off, Stirling leans forward and crunches his drive through cover-point for a boundary. There is a sweeper in place but he stood no chance.