AFG WON
T20
AFG beat IRE by 22 runs
Man of the Match - Rahmanullah Gurbaz
AFG
189-5
20.0/20 Ovrs
 
167-9
20.0/20 Ovrs
IRE
Afghanistan in Ireland, 5 T20I Series, 2022 |3rd T20I |8/12/2022
Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast
Commentary
  • Right then. That's it from the coverage of this game. Afghanistan have managed to keep their hopes alive in this series. It currently stands at 2-1 in Ireland's favour. The two sides will meet again on 15th August, 2022. The first ball will be at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT). But as you all know you can join us early for the build-up. Till then, take care and goodbye.
  • Mohammad Nabi, the victorious skipper is in for a chat. He says that the batted according to the plan. The opening stand was the key to post a huge total on the board. Mentions they played a great game, just the Afghan way. Says the team performed really well and hopefully they can emulate the same in the next two games.
  • Andy Balbirnie, the skipper of Ireland, says they lost a lot of wickets in the Powerplay and that put them on the back foot. Praises the effort of the batters at the fag end and kept them in the game for long. Says Hume and Hand have been knocking on the door for quite some time and is really glad to have them in the side. Mentions, Dockrell has gone from strength-to-strength which is really pleasing to see. Mentions, they have played pretty good cricket and would aim to win the series.
  • Rahmanullah Gurbaz wins the Man of the Match award for his exceptional effort with the bat. He starts by saying it feels good to win after two losses on the trot. Says the coach and the skipper asked him to stay out for long and that's what he aimed to do. Says he is really happy to see Zazai back in the side. Ends by saying he hopes they can win the rest of the matches.
  • Stay tuned for the presentation...
  • Earlier in the innings, Afghanistan started well with the blade. Their openers built a solid foundation up top. Rahmanullah Gurbaz smacked a quickfire 53. Later, the middle order capitalized on this opportunity and punched 189 runs on the board. Ireland though could not get a good start with the blade and that costed them the game here.
  • Afghanistan bowlers finally came to the fore. They managed to pick wickets regularly and that completely pushed the hosts on the back foot. It was a complete performance from the visitors and they completely outplayed the hosts. Also, surprisingly, Rashid Khan has failed to pick a single wicket in this series until now, He will be hoping to change his fortunes in the remaining games.
  • The Ireland batters just did not arrive today! They needed the top order to fire but that did not happen and then the task just getting difficult. George Dockrell is the only batter who showed some fight in this chase. He recorded his highest ever score in T20Is with his 58 runs. He got good support from the debutant, Fionn Hand as well, but it was too little too late. 
  • A thumping win for the visitors to stay alive in the series. To be honest this victory was set up by the batters. 190 was always going to be an uphill task against this Afghanistan bowling attack and the Afghans got their A-game to the fore to bag their first win of the tour.
  • 19.6
    0
    Azmatullah Omarzai to George Dockrell, Azmatullah Omarzai serves it full, wide outside off. George Dockrell looks to drive it away but misses. Afghanistan win the game by 22 runs.
  • 19.6
    1wd
    Azmatullah Omarzai to George Dockrell, WIDE! On a length, outside the tramline. George Dockrell misses his attempt. Wided.
  • 19.5
    0
    Azmatullah Omarzai to George Dockrell, Swing and a miss! Length ball, outside off. George Dockrell looks to heave it away but misses.
  • 19.4
    0
    Azmatullah Omarzai to George Dockrell, Length ball, on off, pushed to wide long off.
  • 19.3
    0
    Azmatullah Omarzai to George Dockrell, On off, this is pushed to sweeper cover,
  • 19.2
    4
    Azmatullah Omarzai to George Dockrell, FOUR! Finds the gap now! It is full, outside off. George Dockrell leans in and drives it through covers. It splits the two fielders in the deep and crosses the boundary.
  • 19.1
    0
    Azmatullah Omarzai to George Dockrell, Full length, on off. George Dockrell gets it to mid-wicket off the inner half. George Dockrell needs to hit 5 balls out of the park to win the game here.
  • END OF OVER 19 | 10 Runs & 2 Wkt | IRE 162/9
  • 18.6
    W
    Naveen-ul-Haq to Graham Hume, OUT! RUN OUT! Graham Hume gives away his wicket here, as he wanted to keep George Dockrell on strike. It is a short ball, down leg. Graham Hume pulls it to fine leg and the call is for two. Mujeeb Ur Rahman throws it to the keeper. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is quick to clip the bails off. The square leg umpire raises his finger. Graham Hume has to walk back. Josh Little is the last man in for Ireland.
  • 18.6
    1wd
    Naveen-ul-Haq to Graham Hume, WIDE! Short one, down leg. Hume lets it be. Wided.
  • 18.5
    1
    Naveen-ul-Haq to George Dockrell, A single now as this is pushed to extra cover.
  • 18.4
    W
    Naveen-ul-Haq to Fionn Hand, OUT! CAUGHT! Fionn Hand's cameo comes to an end. He receives an applause as he head out of the field. It is full, on off. Fionn Hand shuffles across and ramps it over short fine leg. Hazratullah Zazai runs behind and takes a sharp catch over his shoulders. This is should ease down some pressure for Afghanistan. Graham Hume is the new batter in for Ireland.
  • 18.3
    6
    Naveen-ul-Haq to Fionn Hand, SIX! This is gone all the way! It is full and outside off. Fionn Hand stays back and smokes it over the wide long off fence for a biggie. Fionn Hand is on a roll here. 7 runs off the first three balls here. Ireland need 31 off 9 balls.
  • 18.2
    0
    Naveen-ul-Haq to Fionn Hand, A length ball, around off. Fionn Hand looks to go for the reverse sweep but misses.
  • 18.1
    1
    Naveen-ul-Haq to George Dockrell, Naveen-ul-Haq steams in and angles it in, full and on off. George Dockrell drives it to long off and rotates the strike.
  • END OF OVER 18 | 13 Runs & 0 Wkt | IRE 152/7