Afghanistan beat Ireland, Afghanistan won by 29 runs

It's a comfortable victory in the end for Afghanistan, the first eight Irish Batsman got into double figures yet apart from Balbirnie none of them could push on.

You could tell that as soon as Balbirnie was out, that the momentum in the innings dropped. With only one boundary hit in the last 16 overs, they were always going to fall short.

Two run outs definitely didn't help the cause and with the wickets spread out between the bowlers, it was an all around effort from the Afghan team.

So Afghanistan go one nil up in the series, luckily we don't have long to wait until the second game. I hope that you will be able to join me then, until then this is Justin saying godd night from Stormont.

48.3

Rashid Khan to Chase, OUT

gone first ball! Chase has nothing to lose and he goes for a big hit down the ground. The ball goes high, high in the air, Chase knows that he is done for and doesn't even look as Rashid takes the catch. Afghanistan wins!

Peter Chase c & b Rashid Khan 0 (1b 0x4 0x6 2m) SR: 0

48.2

Rashid Khan to Wilson, OUT

well he hits them this time! Wilson tres to sweep a good length ball into the legside, think that it did him for pace and the stumps are knocked over.

Gary Wilson b Rashid Khan 38 (50b 0x4 1x6 70m) SR: 76

48.1

1lb

Rashid Khan to Rankin, 1 leg bye

hits the pad and Wilson calls for the run, Rashid picks up the ball and throws at the non-strikers end. Couls have been close if he had hit the stumps.

Over48

4 runs, 1 wicket

IRE 197/8CRR: 4.10 RRR: 15.50

WB Rankin 1 (2b)GC Wilson 38 (49b 1x6)

Aftab Alam2/34 (9)

47.6

Aftab Alam to Rankin, 1 run

clips the ball into the on-side and then ambles down the other end, not too sure about the running although I guess when you are that tall it doesn't take long to get down the other end!

47.5

Aftab Alam to Wilson, 1 run

clips the ball in the air towards cow corner, not enough power to make it out to the deep fielder

47.4

1lb

Aftab Alam to Rankin, 1 leg bye

Alam looks to bring the ball back into Rankin, clips the pad and Wilson calls him through for the run

Rankin is the new batter

47.3

Aftab Alam to Murtagh, OUT

doesn't need any help with this one. Murtagh has a wild hack across the line and misses, the ball doesn't and the bails are knocked off

Tim Murtagh b Aftab Alam 2 (7b 0x4 0x6 11m) SR: 28.57

47.2

•

Aftab Alam to Murtagh, no run

chance, tough chance. Murtagh hits the ball back towards the bowler, sticks up one hand and it almost sticks, so so close

47.1

Aftab Alam to Wilson, 1 run

goes back in the crease and pulls the ball up to wide long-on, the fielder is across quickly to keep them to one

Over47

4 runs

IRE 193/7CRR: 4.10 RRR: 11.66

GC Wilson 36 (47b 1x6)TJ Murtagh 2 (5b)

Rashid Khan0/41 (9)

46.6

Rashid Khan to Wilson, 1 run

clips the ball to mid-wicket

46.5

Rashid Khan to Murtagh, 1 run

46.4

•

Rashid Khan to Murtagh, no run

46.3

Rashid Khan to Wilson, 1 run

46.2

Rashid Khan to Murtagh, 1 run

46.1

•

Rashid Khan to Murtagh, no run

played back down the pitch

Over46

11 runs, 1 wicket

IRE 189/7CRR: 4.10 RRR: 9.75

GC Wilson 34 (45b 1x6)TJ Murtagh 0 (1b)

Mohammad Nabi2/42 (10)

45.6

M Nabi to Wilson, SIX runs

First boundary for a while, a lonh while as the ball is slog swept high over cow corner

45.5

1lb

M Nabi to Murtagh, 1 leg bye

clips the pad and runs into the legside

45.4

M Nabi to Wilson, 1 run

hit to long on

45.3

M Nabi to Wilson, 2 runs

hit out to extra cover

The batsmen crossed and so Wilson is on strike

45.2

M Nabi to McBrine, OUT

well the big shot had to come at some point, McBrine hits the ball down the ground and doesn't get enough on it. Zadran comes in off the long-off boundary and takes the catch

Andy McBrine c sub (Najibullah Zadran) b Mohammad Nabi 12 (16b 0x4 0x6 33m) SR: 75

Ireland vs Afghanistan, 1st ODI at Belfast, Aug 27 2018 - Match Result