Ireland vs Afghanistan, 5th T20I at Belfast, Aug 17 2022, Afghanistan tour of Ireland

RESULT
5th T20I, Belfast, August 17, 2022, Afghanistan tour of Ireland
PrevNext
(15/15 ov) 95/5
(6.4/7 ov, T:56) 56/3

Ireland won by 7 wickets (with 2 balls remaining) (DLS method)

Player Of The Match
3/16
mark-adair
Player Of The Series
141 runs • 2 wkts
george-dockrell
Match centre 
Scores: K Vairavan | Comms: Ashish Pant
Scorecard summary
Afghanistan 95/5(15 overs)
44* (40)
3/16 (2)
Ireland 56/3(6.4 overs)

All smiles in the Ireland camp as Balbirnie is presented with the trophy. The team line-up for the photograph. It's been a tough summer for the hosts, who got so close to beating India and New Zealand a number of times, but were just not able to cross the line. They have, here, and Ireland are undoubtedly the deserving. It was an entertaining series, one that we loved bringing to you. Till, next time, this is Ashish Pant signing off. Good night!

Andrew Balbirnie , the Ireland captain: It's been a long summer, with the results not really going our way. We knew there was an opportunity if we played good cricket to come away with a series win. We started really well last week. They got back into it, but to come out and put on a performance like that, particularly, with the ball...rain obviously played it's part, but our bowlers were on top today. [On the seaming quarter] We are very lucky that we have a number of top quality seamers to pick from. The guys missing out could also come in. We've just got a great group there and are doing some great things. Our squad is getting bigger and there are people putting pressure on other guys. There's been standout performances from so many different people, which is what you want to see. Onwards and upwards. [On the target] We knew we had to start pretty well, and 10 wickets in the hut is always good. We came with a clear plan. Always tricky when you are chasing a total like that but great clarity from the guys. [On George Dockrell] He has been playing brilliantly all summer. He hits the ball very straight, he is hard to bowl to, so very lucky to have him in our team. [On the series win] They don't come around too often. We won in the Caribbean for the first time. I don't think we have beaten AFG in a T20 series ever, so it is big for this group, but we have got a big challenge in October in Australia. We will enjoy this but we have got a job to do.

Mohammad Nabi, the Afghanistan captain is up next: [On DLS] We can't control the weather, it is part of cricket. We threw early wickets and were under pressure, but if it was a full game, the result would have been changed. [On the positives] The boys are improving day by day in both batting and bowling and in the field. It is a part of the game, the weather and DLS changed the game here. Both ball and bat are important and also fielding is very important. We are improving in the field, day by day. As a bowling group, Rash (Rashid Khan) and Mujeeb bowled really well in the whole series. We have enjoyed out time here, it has been brilliant.

George Dockrell is the Player of the Series : Really enjoying this new role that I have taken on this year and it is nice to chip in and gets a few wins under the belt. [On hitting straight] I have always hit the ball straight, whenever I have played but and I am doing it with a bit of power. It is something that I am still working on. Great that it is coming off and it is great that I am contributing to some important wins. [The batting line-up and his role] I really enjoy it. We have got a real license to go out and take our options early and be positive and try and execute things that we have trained. We are doing that really well. We have learnt a huge amount as the games have gone on this summer. We are in a really good place to go on and win a series like this against a team like Afghanistan, who I reckon have so much fire-power with the bat and ball. It's been a fantastic Irish summer and hopefully we can carry on.

Mark Adair is the Player of the Match: [On the win] We have been pretty good as a unit, and today it came out well. [On the bowling plan] Bowling in the powerplay can be difficult at times, but you have two fielders out and you try to bowl to your field. [On the intent] That's led by everyone. There are chats before the games, there are chats all throughout the series, and I think bringing the intensity into the field is non-negotiable. You can do that with the ball in hand. [On the series win] It's been a long summer, plenty of ups and downs and it is nice to finish with a win.

7.20pm Presentation time

7.15pm Super chase from Ireland, who get to the target with two balls to spare. And, who else but Dockrell to slam the winning runs. He has been there at the end in all of Ireland's wins this series and fitting he hit the final runs here too. Not much that Afghanistan bowlers could have done. Chasing only 56 in seven overs, it was always Ireland's game to lose. AFG did strike thrice but some timely hits from the Irish batters got them over the line. Presentation in just a bit.

6.4
1
Fareed Ahmad to Dockrell, 1 run

Up and over, and Dockrell takes Ireland to a series victory! What a win. Dockrell with a fist pump as he embraces Tector with the camp up in elation. Back of a length delivery outside off, he has ice in his veins, has Dockrell, as he just lofts it over mid-on. Ireland win the 5th T20I by seven wickets and take the series.

6.3
4
Fareed Ahmad to Dockrell, FOUR runs

Dockrell pulls and finds the gap to precision. What a shot that is. He bangs it short again, Dockrell pulls it beautifully to the left of Rashid at square leg, who dives valiantly but cannot rein it in.

Cover takes a couple of steps in

6.2
1
Fareed Ahmad to Tector, 1 run

Banged in short, he gets it high on the bat looking for the pull. Can only get it as far as mid-off.

Ankush sud: "Dockrell gonna score the winning run. And would have played the last ball of all five matches in this series and not out throughout."

6.1
1
Fareed Ahmad to Dockrell, 1 run

Back of a length into the body of Dockrell, who taps it to short third man for a run. A wayward throw from Mujeeb but Tector turns down the overthrow, and wisely so.

Ireland need 7. Malik to bowl. Can he do it for AFG?

end of over 66 runs • 1 wicket
IRE: 49/3CRR: 8.16 RRR: 8.00 • Need 8 from 6b
Harry Tector8 (4b 1x4)
George Dockrell1 (1b)
Rashid Khan 2-0-17-1
Mujeeb Ur Rahman 2-0-17-2
5.6
2
Rashid Khan to Tector, 2 runs

Short and wide, he cuts it very hard but straight to deep point. Ah, there is a misfield as the batters scamper back. How crucial will that be? Omarzai was the fielder.

5.5
1
Rashid Khan to Dockrell, 1 run

short on middle and leg, he goes back and muscles it to the left of deep midwicket as they get an important run.

5.4
1
Rashid Khan to Tector, 1 run

Fuller on middle and leg, he pushes it hard to long on

Dockrell comes in

5.3
W
Rashid Khan to Tucker, OUT

Slog sweeps, mistimes it and Tucker departs! Another twist? Tossed up outside off, he goes for the sweep, can only get a top edge as short third man completes a simple take.

Lorcan Tucker c Fareed Ahmad b Rashid Khan 14 (12b 0x4 1x6) SR: 116.66
5.2
1
Rashid Khan to Tector, 1 run

Darted on middle and leg, he clips it to wide long on

5.1
1
Rashid Khan to Tucker, 1 run

Ah, missed stumping now! Has hit Gurbaz on the shoulder but that is a missed opportunity. Quicker wrong'un on leg, as he jumps forward to work it away. Misses but the keeper misses too. That really took off after going past the batter. 12 off 11.

end of over 512 runs • 1 wicket
IRE: 43/2CRR: 8.60 RRR: 7.00 • Need 14 from 12b
Harry Tector4 (1b 1x4)
Lorcan Tucker13 (10b 1x6)
Mujeeb Ur Rahman 2-0-17-2
Rashid Khan 1-0-11-0

Dave: "The problem with Rashid I think is he has been too exposed now by playing all around the globe. He still is an excellent bowler but his unreadibility is gone due to technology."

4.6
4
Mujeeb to Tector, FOUR runs

Gets a full toss and he finds the boundary. Poor delivery, really, it was. He gives himself room and slams the low fullie over covers, and now, Ireland should really pull this through.

4.5
1
Mujeeb to Tucker, 1 run

Very full outside off, as he looks to sweep again. Adjusts and squirts it to cover.

Tector comes in, he will not be on strike though

4.4
W
Mujeeb to Stirling, OUT

Is there a twist here? A tad short outside off, he swings at it hard looking to clear deep midwicket. But gets more height than elevation. The fielder, Naveen-ul-Haq, comes in and completes a simple chance

Paul Stirling c Naveen-ul-Haq b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 16 (10b 1x4 1x6) SR: 160
4.3
1
Mujeeb to Tucker, 1 run

fuller outside off, he squeezes it to deep point for a run

4.2
Mujeeb to Tucker, no run

goes for the sweep again, slips as that hits him around the midriff

4.1
6
Mujeeb to Tucker, SIX runs

Slog sweeps and gets it deep over midwicket. That's a shot and a half. Right in the slot for Tucker, who backs away and tonks it away. Not what Afg wanted

25 off 18 needed now.

Walter: "Blown choice for the Irish -- need to bring in Dockrell there, not Tucker."

end of over 411 runs
IRE: 31/1CRR: 7.75 RRR: 8.66 • Need 26 from 18b
Lorcan Tucker5 (6b)
Paul Stirling16 (9b 1x4 1x6)
Rashid Khan 1-0-11-0
Mujeeb Ur Rahman 1-0-5-1
3.6
1
Rashid Khan to Tucker, 1 run

tossed a bit on leg, he gives himself room as Tucker drills it down to long on

3.5
1
Rashid Khan to Stirling, 1 run

flatter, shorter outside off, cuts hard to deep point

3.4
6
Rashid Khan to Stirling, SIX runs

Googly, he spots it very early and thumps it. Got it over the batter's eyeline but Stirling is up to the task. Doesn't get all of it but deposits it over long on

3.3
1
Rashid Khan to Tucker, 1 run

shorter but very quick on leg, he pulls to deep midwicket

Best performances - batters
Spike Graph
Wagon Zone
Usman Ghani
44 runs (40)
3 fours2 sixes
Productive shot
cover drive
8 runs
2 fours0 six
Control
78%
PR Stirling
16 runs (10)
1 four1 six
Productive shot
slog sweep
7 runs
0 four1 six
Control
50%
Best performances - bowlers
MR Adair
O
2
M
0
R
16
W
3
ECO
8
FTYFGSGS
OFFLEG
RHB
1W
1W
LEGOFF
LHB
1W
JB Little
O
3
M
0
R
14
W
2
ECO
4.66
FTYFGSGS
OFFLEG
RHB
1W
LEGOFF
LHB
1W
Match details
Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast
TossIreland, elected to field first
Series
Season2022
Player Of The Match
Player Of The Series
Series resultIreland won the 5-match series 3-2
Match numberT20I no. 1738
Match days17 August 2022 - day (20-over match)
Umpires
Reserve Umpire
Match Referee
Language
English
Win Probability
IRE 100%
AFGIRE
100%50%100%AFG InningsIRE Innings

Over 7 • IRE 56/3

Ireland won by 7 wickets (with 2 balls remaining) (DLS method)
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