That's it from us for this game. Do join us for the final game between the two sides on March 12, 2017 at 1400 local (0830 GMT). Until then, it's goodbye and cheers!
Afghanistan skipper, Asghar Stanikzai says that the series win was very important for them. Credits his bowlers for their performance today. Applauds Karim Janat and Rashid Khan for their brilliant bowling. Ends by saying that they hope to end the series with another win.
Ireland skipper, William Porterfield thinks the rain break cost them the game and calls it frustrating. Accepts that they never got going after it. Was pleased that they set it up well but is disappointed that they did not manage to finish it. Credits Rashid for bowling well as his batsmen failed to pick him. Hopes that they comeback strongly in the upcoming games.
Man of the Match is shared between Rashid Khan and Najeeb Tarakai. Rashid Khan thanks the almighty for his brilliant performance. Says that it was difficult to comeback from the condition they were in before the rain interval but he trusted himself to do it. Says that it was difficult to grip the ball in the start but after the first over he could manage it well.
Ireland will know they messed up a really good chance to stay alive in the series. They got a great start due to Stirling but post the rain break, the batsmen did not apply themselves and failed to find an answer to the spin and guile of Rashid.
Afghanistan will be delighted with the game, it extends their T20I winning streak to 10, a world record already. They did well with the bat with Tarakai striking 90. He got good support from the likes of Nabi and Janat. They did not begin well with the ball but came back superbly thanks to Rashid Khan.
Rain halted play for a long time, when they returned, the equation seemed to be in favour of the visitors needing 46 runs from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand. What followed next though, was mayhem with Rashid Khan running through the side taking his maiden T20I five-wicket haul.
Chasing a score of 185, Ireland lost Stuart Thompson early but Paul Stirling got stuck into the Afghan bowlers, smacking a 15-ball 34 with four towering sixes. The cameo put Ireland ahead of the game with the rain coming down. Eventually he was castled by Karim Janat.
Phew! What a turnaround in the game! Ireland were 12 runs ahead of the D/L par score when rains intervened but Afghanistan roared back in the game, taking as many as seven wickets for just 28 runs to win the game and the series.
10.6
2
Mohammad Nabi To Jacob Mulder
NOT OUT! Afghanistan win by 17 runs by D/L method. Bowls it wide outside off, Mulder reaches to it somehow and slogs it wide of long on. They run the first comfortably and the call for the second. Najibullah Zadran who is at long on collects it well and has a shy at the striker's end. He hits and the umpires go upstairs to check for a run out. Hardly matters but still a job to complete. Replays show that the batsman was just in time and they safely complete two runs.
Third umpire referred for a run out appeal at the striker's end. That looks not out.
10.5
1
Mohammad Nabi To George Dockrell
Outside off, Dockrell eases it down towards long on for a single.
10.4
4
Mohammad Nabi To George Dockrell
FOUR! Good shot but too late! Fuller into the stumps, Dockrell smacks it over the bowler's head through the mid on region for a boundary.
10.3
1
Mohammad Nabi To Jacob Mulder
Mulder clips it towards short fine leg for a single.
10.2
0
Mohammad Nabi To Jacob Mulder
Too wide outside off, Mulder tries to make room for him on the leg side which makes it difficult for him to reach it.
10.1
2
Mohammad Nabi To Jacob Mulder
NOT OUT! Fuller delivery into the stumps, Mulder smacks it down the ground towards long on. He wants the strike and he calls for a second. The player for long has a shy at the non-striker's end and hits. The umpires go upstairs to check a run out on Dockrell. Replays show that he got in just in time.
There is a run out appeal against Dockrell. Looks not out.
Mohammad Nabi comes on for the final over.
Over 10 : 83/9
1 Runs
W
9.1
09.2
09.3
W
9.4
W
9.5
1 B
9.6
J. Mulder
0 (1)
G. Dockrell
0 (0)
R. Khan
2-1-3-5
9.6
b
Rashid Khan To Jacob Mulder
Same delivery like last ball, outside off, Mulder shuffles way outside off and tries to go for the scoop. He misses the ball and so does the keeper. The players run a bye. Unlucky to not get his Hat-Trick here.
Jacob Mulder is the last man in. Rashid is on a Hat Trick!
9.5
W
Rashid Khan To Barry McCarthy OUT!
OUT! Rashid gets his maiden fifer! Another googly just outside off, McCarthy comes across and goes for the conventional sweep. He is unable to make contact and the ball raps him on his pads. The players appeal and the umpire raises his finger to approve it. This young lad has turned the tide completely.
Barry McCarthy is the penultimate man in.
9.4
W
Rashid Khan To Greg Thompson OUT!
OUT! Rashid is running through the Irishmen! Another wrong 'un but this time in the line of the stumps. Thompson dances down the track and goes for a biggie. He misses it completely and the ball has gone through to the keeper. Shahzad collects it and dislodges the bails in some style. Thompson has to go back to the hut. Afghanistan need two more wickets.
9.3
0
Rashid Khan To Greg Thompson
Floated outside off, Thompson fails to connect the sweep this time.
9.2
0
Rashid Khan To Greg Thompson
Quicker one outside off, Thompson goes for the reverse sweep but misses.
George Dockrell comes in to bat.
9.1
W
Rashid Khan To Lorcan Tucker OUT!
OUT! One more bites the dust! Floated outside off, Tucker gets to the pitch of the ball and lofts it straight towards long on. Najibullah Zadran makes no mistake and goes a bit forward to take a fine catch. Ireland have only 3 wickets left and are going down rather quickly.
Over 9 : 82/6
11 Runs
W
8.1
48.2
48.3
1 LB
8.4
18.5
18.6
L. Tucker
9 (5)
G. Thompson
1 (1)
K. Janat
3-0-24-3
8.6
1
Karim Janat To Lorcan Tucker
In the air....safe! Fuller delivery outside off, Tucker throws his bat at it and gets it towards mid on. The ball goes one bounce to the fielder there and the batsmen run a single.
8.5
1
Karim Janat To Greg Thompson
Good length delivery outside off, Thompson pushes it through covers for a single.
8.4
lb
Karim Janat To Lorcan Tucker
Angling into the pads, Tucker tries to clip it on the leg side but misses. The ball hits him low on the pads and they run a leg bye.
WI
BAN
AFG 184/8
Top Batsmen
Top Bowlers
IRE 93/9
