Afghanistan will be disappointed here. They had the conditions conducive for their style of bowling but still failed to create enough pressure in the middle overs. The start though was a good one with Mujeeb removing the Irish skipper early and then Dawlat Zadran striking twice in the 8th over. But, from there, Ireland clawed their way back. Even when Dockrell got dismissed, the Afghans had 41 runs to play with but the presence of Balbirnie never allowed their spinners to settle down.
Outstanding victory for Ireland to level the series 1-1! We witnessed a fabulous knock from Andy Balbirnie in a run chase and considering the sluggish nature of the deck, this knock has to be one of the very best from an Irish batsman. They were in doldrums after losing four wickets for only 73 but the 143-run stand between Balbirnie and Dockrell revived their innings. The pair batted smartly against the Afghan spinners and always kept the required rate under check.
48.6
4
Dawlat Zadran To Andy Balbirnie
FOUR! IRELAND WIN BY 4 WICKETS! Zadran dishes out a length ball outside off, Balbirnie throws his bat at it and slices it over backward point for a boundary. He roars in delight, what a win for the Irish team!
48.5
0
Dawlat Zadran To Andy Balbirnie
Too full in length on off, a cracking square drive by Andy but he finds the point fielder.
48.4
4
Dawlat Zadran To Andy Balbirnie
FOUR! A low full toss on middle, Balbirnie moves back to make some room and drills his drive through covers for a boundary. Scores are levelled.
48.3
1
Dawlat Zadran To Andy McBrine
Good length delivery outside off, McBrine looks to defend but gets an inside edge. The ball takes an inside edge and they take a single.
48.2
1
Dawlat Zadran To Andy Balbirnie
Dropped. This game would have become very interesting here had he taken the catch. Slower bouncer on leg, Balbirnie goes for the pull but he mishits it and it goes towards short fine leg fielder. Rahmat Shah there misses a dolly and they take a single.
48.1
1
Dawlat Zadran To Andy McBrine
Length delivery on middle and off, McBrine flicks it towards mid-wicket and gives the strike to Andy Balbirnie.
Over 48 : 249/6
9 Runs
A. McBrine
7 (13)
A. Balbirnie
136 (132)
R. Khan
9-0-44-1
47.6
1
Rashid Khan To Andy McBrine
Goes down on one knee and sweeps it wide of short fine leg for a run. 8 needed more.
47.5
0
Rashid Khan To Andy McBrine
That ball has taken the inside edge of the batsman and thudded into his pads.
47.4
1
Rashid Khan To Andy Balbirnie
Smartly gets a single after hitting a biggie. Knocks it down to wide long on for a run.
47.3
6
Rashid Khan To Andy Balbirnie
SIX! Slog sweeps have been a special feature of this Balbirnie knock. Tossed up ball around middle, Andy is down on one knee in a flash and spanks it over mid-wicket.
47.2
1
Rashid Khan To Andy McBrine
DROPPED! Another googly, McBrine fails to pick and has a tame push inside the line from the back foot. Edges it behind but Shahzad fails to catch it and they cross.
47.1
0
Rashid Khan To Andy McBrine
A googly around off, a stunning delivery, McBrine leans to defend but it spins away to beat the outside edge.
Over 47 : 240/6
10 Runs
A. McBrine
5 (9)
A. Balbirnie
129 (130)
D. Zadran
9-1-41-2
46.6
1
Dawlat Zadran To Andy McBrine
Full length delivery on off, McBrine hits it straight to the fielder at mid off.
46.5
1
Dawlat Zadran To Andy Balbirnie
Length delivery outside off, Balbirnie hits it towards point and takes a single.
46.4
0
Dawlat Zadran To Andy Balbirnie
Slower bouncer on middle and leg, Balbirnie makes room but leaves it thinking it was too high. The umpires though have no problem with it.
46.3
6
Dawlat Zadran To Andy Balbirnie
SIX! Six the moment it left the bat. Shorter in length, Balbirnie picks it early and whacks it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum.
46.2
0
Dawlat Zadran To Andy Balbirnie
Good length delivery on middle, Balbirnie hits it uppishly towards cover fielder.
46.1
2
Dawlat Zadran To Andy Balbirnie
Shot! Dawlat runs in and angles in a length ball on middle and leg, Balbirnie hops back and smacks it over the bowler's head for a couple of runs.
Dawlat Zadran is back into the attack.
Over 46 : 230/6
4 Runs
A. McBrine
4 (8)
A. Balbirnie
120 (125)
R. Khan
8-0-35-1
45.6
0
Rashid Khan To Andy McBrine
Excellent delivery. Flighted just outside off. It pitches and goes straight. McBrine looks to defend but gets beaten and it goes past the outside edge.
45.5
1
Rashid Khan To Andy Balbirnie
Leg spinner on middle and leg, Balbirnie tucks it towards mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
45.4
1
Rashid Khan To Andy McBrine
On the pads, McBrine flicks it towards backward square leg and rotates the strike.
45.3
1
Rashid Khan To Andy Balbirnie
On middle and leg, Balbirnie nudges it towards mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
45.2
1
Rashid Khan To Andy McBrine
Good running. Fuller delivery outside off, McBrine pushes it to point and takes a very quick single.
45.1
0
Rashid Khan To Andy McBrine
Shorter delivery on off, McBrine taps it back to the bowler.
Over 45 : 226/6
7 Runs
A. McBrine
2 (4)
A. Balbirnie
118 (123)
Ur Rahman
10-0-55-1
44.6
1
Mujeeb Ur Rahman To Andy McBrine
Goes on the back foot and pushes it down through mid on for a run.
44.5
0
Mujeeb Ur Rahman To Andy McBrine
Flighted and outside off, McBrine defends it off his front foot.
44.4
1
Mujeeb Ur Rahman To Andy Balbirnie
Goes quicker through the air and fires in a full ball on the pads, Andy flicks it in front of square leg for a run.
AUS
IND
AFG 256/8
Top Batsmen
Top Bowlers
IRE 260/6
