That is it from us then! A thrilling Irish win has kept this 5-match series alive. Will they be able to level the series on Wednesday? Or will the Afghans bounce back to win the series? Join us on 22nd March, 2017 at 0930 local time (0400 GMT ) to find out! ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
WILLIAM PORTERFIELD feels that they continued to do a lot of things right today as they have been doing plenty of right things even in the first two games. Admits that they gave away too many runs in the death but praises Afghanistan's batting lower down the order. Praises Balbirnie and says they missed him sorely in the first game. Stresses that every game is still a must-win one for Ireland and hopes to win the next two matches.
Afghanistan skipper, ASGHAR STANIKZAI feels that Ireland played very well today. Praises Stirling for another good innings. On his own team's batting, he lauds his lower order and feels that 265 could have been defended. Is not too perturbed about Rashid Khan not taking wickets today.
PAUL STIRLING has been named the MAN OF THE MATCH. He is thrilled with the win and hopes to continue with the same form. On the Afghans reaching 260, he says that at the start of the day, Ireland would have taken 260 but to see them score that from 97/6 is disappointing. Feels that Ireland played a lot more better today.
Afghanistan will be disappointed today. They did not start too well with the bat but then recovered brilliantly at the death. On the bowling front, they started well but could not build on it. Dawlat Zadran picked up 2 wickets. Rashid Khan was a flop show today, in terms of wickets but finished with decent figures of 10-1-44-0.
Afghanistan would have been hoping for a collapse when Niall O'Brien was dismissed but then Andy Balbirnie came in at number 5 and provided a superb foil to Stirling. The duo added 59 for the 4th wicket and after Stirling unfortunately fell for 99, his partner went on to take Ireland home. He got good support from Gary Wilson with the pair adding an unbeaten 86 for the 5th wicket. Balbirnie himself finished on 85 not out from 74 balls with 11 fours and a six.
The visitors lost a couple of wickets early today, with Joyce and skipper Porterfield not making much. But then, a 96-run stand between Stirling and Niall O'Brien brought Ireland back on track.
Finally a different result to watch. It had been all Afghanistan since the start of the tour and today, Ireland manage to turn the screws. It was more or less the same story with the Irish getting off to a good start but in this game, Andy Balbirnie was the difference.
48.3
4
Dawlat Zadran To Gary Wilson
FOUR! IRELAND WIN BY 6 WICKETS! Wilson scores the winning runs! Full and wide outside off, Wilson leans and drives it through the covers for a boundary! There is a sweeper cover in place but the ball reaches the fence! THE SERIES IS ALIVE!
48.2
1
Dawlat Zadran To Andy Balbirnie
A full toss outside off, smashed towards cover for a single.
48.1
0
Dawlat Zadran To Andy Balbirnie
Excellent yorker, tailing in, dug out back to the bowler.
Over 48 : 260/4
7 Runs
047.1
147.2
047.3
147.4
447.5
147.6
A. Balbirnie
84 (72)
G. Wilson
24 (27)
R. Khan
10-1-44-0
47.6
1
Rashid Khan To Andy Balbirnie
Landed outside off, AB runs it down to short third man for a quick single. Could have been tight but Shahzad disturbs the stumps even before the throw could come in.
47.5
4
Rashid Khan To Andy Balbirnie
FOUR! Terrific shot! Full and outside off, Balbirnie gets down and sweeps it through square leg for a boundary! Another dive from the fielder but in vain once more!
47.4
1
Rashid Khan To Gary Wilson
Outside off, pushed through the covers for a run.
47.3
0
Rashid Khan To Gary Wilson
Short and outside off, Wilson looks to cut but gets a bottom edge which goes past the keeper but he runs back to stop it.
47.2
1
Rashid Khan To Andy Balbirnie
Outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.
47.1
0
Rashid Khan To Andy Balbirnie
Full and outside off, spinning away, Balbirnie looks to sweep but misses.
Over 47 : 253/4
12 Runs
146.1
046.2
646.3
146.4
046.5
446.6
G. Wilson
23 (25)
A. Balbirnie
78 (68)
D. Zadran
9-1-47-2
46.6
4
Dawlat Zadran To Gary Wilson
FOUR! Magnificently struck! A short ball outside off, Wilson swings this over mid-wicket. The fielder comes running to his left and dives but in vain! 12 from the over!
46.5
0
Dawlat Zadran To Gary Wilson
A length ball outside off, Wilson slashes but misses.
46.4
1
Dawlat Zadran To Andy Balbirnie
Landed outside off, Any looks to cut but gets a bottom edge back to the bowler.
46.3
6
Dawlat Zadran To Andy Balbirnie
SIX! Lovely hit! On a length outside off, Balbirnie lofts this inside out and clears long off! 17 needed from 21 balls now!
46.2
0
Dawlat Zadran To Andy Balbirnie
Jumps down the track and pull it towards mid-wicket where Asghar Stanikzai makes a good sliding stop to his right.
46.1
1
Dawlat Zadran To Gary Wilson
Full on off, tailing in, swung towards mid-wicket for a single.
Over 46 : 241/4
9 Runs
045.1
145.2
445.3
045.4
445.5
045.6
A. Balbirnie
71 (65)
G. Wilson
18 (22)
R. Khan
9-1-37-0
45.6
0
Rashid Khan To Andy Balbirnie
Played to the point region by the batsman.
45.5
4
Rashid Khan To Andy Balbirnie
FOUR! Crucial strike! Full and around off, Balbirnie gets down and sweeps it powerfully through square leg for a boundary! Moves to 71 from 64 balls with his 10th boundary. The stand is worth 62 from 49 balls.
45.4
0
Rashid Khan To Andy Balbirnie
Quicker one outside off, pushed through, Andy looks to cut but misses.
45.3
4
Rashid Khan To Andy Balbirnie
FOUR! Lovely shot! Full nd outside off, Balbirnie stays leg side of the ball and lofts it inside out over cover for a boundary! 28 needed from 27 balls now!
45.2
1
Rashid Khan To Gary Wilson
Very full and wide outside off again, swept powerfully to deep mid-wicket for a single.
45.1
0
Rashid Khan To Gary Wilson
Full and wide outside off, Wilson lunges to sweep but misses.
WI
BAN
AFG 264/8
Top Batsmen
Top Bowlers
IRE 265/4
