So, that ends another exciting game where Afghanistan's bowling brilliance and batting masterclass outperformed Ireland. The series is not done yet as there is still a game left in this 3-match ODI series. That game will be played on 26th January 2021. The game begins at 1000 local (0600 GMT). Till then stay safe, cheers and take care.

Afghanistan skipper, Asghar Afghan says that it was an important win for them. Adds that they would have bowled first if they had won the toss. Praises Nabi for his tight bowling. Also praises Rashid, Mujeeb and Naveen for giving just around 60 runs in the last 10 overs to restrict Ireland to 260. Also praises Shahidi and Shah for their batting efforts. Ends by saying that each win has vital points and would look to win some more points in the next match.

Ireland skipper, Andy Balbirnie says they would have loved to get few more runs after a great innings by Stirling. He adds that the wicket did slow down but a few runs would have been handy. Says he was surprised by the lack of turn but thinks that their batters could have done more. Praises Stirling for his efforts. He says that they are looking to gain the 10 points from the remaining match as that would prove quite handy. He says they have a good bench strength but he backed the players he picked to perform well. Ends by saying that he is looking forward for the next match.

For his brilliant knock of 103 runs, Rahmat Shah is named as the Man of the Match. He says that the plan was given by the coach and the captain and he played accordingly. He ends by saying that each team wants a win and they as a team are trying to win each and every match.

Do not go anywhere as the presentations come up shortly where we get to know who the Man of the Match is and also hear it from the two captains on their take from this game and what lies ahead in the series for them. Stay tuned...

Earlier in the day, after opting to bat, Ireland lost a couple of quick wickets but an 84-run stand between Paul Stirling and Harry Tector brought them back on track. Though Tector failed to get going, Curtis Campher along with Paul Stirling ensured that Ireland keep the scoreboard moving as the duo stitched a 106-run stand. After the departure of Campher who fell just 3 short of a well-deserved half-ton, it went all downhill though Stirling went past his 11th ODI ton. Just when the time came to accelerate, Stirling fell and Ireland who were looking to get 280 runs ended on 259 runs. For Afghanistan, with the ball, it was Naveen-ul-Haq who wreaked havoc with a 4-wicket haul as Mujeeb Ur Rahman ended with a 3-fer to his name. Gulbadin Naib and Rashid Khan both added a wicket each their name to round up a good bowling performance from the Afghans.

Now, coming to Irish bowling. It was looking like they were bowling on some different wicket compared to the Afghan bowlers. Craig Young and Simi Singh started with the ball for them but it was Barry McCarthy and Curtis Campher who both struck in their opening overs to get Ireland back into the game after some early carnage from Rahmanullah Gurbaz. But since then they were just mere spectators as Shah and Shahidi both milked them for runs with ease. Ireland used 7 bowlers but all failed to get them the breakthrough they needed to be in the game. They did manage to break the Shah-Shahidi stand but by then it was too late as they went down once again to Afghanistan conceding the series with a game to play.

Chasing a total of 260 required a brisk start and Afghans got it when Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the centurion from the last game went berserk at the Irish bowling as he managed to score a breezy 31 runs. But a couple of quick wickets seemed to derail the Afghan chase. At that time Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi joined hands and what turned out was an absolute game-changing partnership. The duo played a full array of shots as they stitched a 184-run stand for the third wicket. In the process, both completed their respective half tons Just when Afghanistan were in touching distance of a win, Shahidi fell well short by 18 runs of what could have been his maiden ODI ton for him. Rahmat Shah, on the other hand, brought his 5th ODI ton and some late power hitting from the Afghanistan skipper Asghar Afghan, who hammered a 13-ball 21, saw the Afghans overhaul the Irish Target with 28 balls to spare.

What a perfectly paced chase from Afghanistan and they have absolutely trumped the Irish here. The Afghanistan dressing room especially their coach is a happy man with the way they have played in the two ODIs so far. Afghanistan have chased down the target rather easily. They pocket the series 2-0 and also add 10 points to their kitty in the ICC World Cricket Super League Table. Ireland fought hard but had no answers against Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi.