IRE VS AFG - 1st ODI, Afghanistan tour of Ireland, 2018

First ODI is done and dusted. Afghanistan have taken a lead and would want to double it in the next game. They looked like a well-oiled machine barring their batting. Ireland have plenty of problems to tender to. Meanwhile, we will ponder over our dinner menu and take a leave. Kumar Abhisekh Das signing off on behalf of Varun Dikshit, Sulthan and Akshay Maanay.

Asghar Afghan: First game is very important for any team. I would give credit to the fielders. We have not been finishing really well. We took some good catches and got a few run-outs. That was the main reason.

William Porterfield: It was tricky. We as a fielding side let ourselves down a bit. Balbirnie played really well. We just lacked partnerships through out the innings to put us over the line. The first 25-30 overs we were really scrappy on the field.

Afghanistan have defended a modest total thanks to their powerful bowling attack. Almost 30 overs between Nabi, Mujeeb and Rashid choked the life out of the chase as run scoring became very tough which resulted in a couple of untimely run-outs. The fielding also was top-class and that ensured Ireland were floored in the first ODI. Earlier in the day, Gulbadin Naib and Shahidi got fifties before the visitors lost their way to end up with what looked like a below par total. But as they say it ain't over till it actually is over. Afghanistan go 1-0 up in the series and I feel Ireland has a lot of catching up to do. Hang on for the captain comments.

Rashid Khan to Chase, out Caught&Bowled!! Ireland lose by 29 runs. Went up for the swipe across the line and only managed to lift it straight up in the air. The bowler hardly had to move to catch it. Two in two for Rashid after barren phase. Chase c and b Rashid Khan 0(1)

Rashid Khan to Chase, THATS OUT!! Caught&Bowled!!

Peter Chase, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Rashid Khan to Wilson, out Bowled!! The fat lady is all ready now. Goes across the line and misses the slog sweep to be clean bowled. He had to throw caution to the winds and perished in the cause. Finally a wicket for the leggie. Wilson b Rashid Khan 38(50) [6s-1]

Rashid Khan to Wilson, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

Rashid Khan to Rankin, leg byes, 1 run, direct hit at the bowler's end and he was gone. The batsman wanted to exchange ends after the ball dribbled away off the pads into the short mid region. The bowler got to the ball and ushered in a throw only to miss it

Aftab Alam to Rankin, 1 run, fuller length ball outside off and has been dragged away into the on-side for a single

Aftab Alam to Wilson, 1 run, heaves the low full toss away and it finds the man at deep mid on the bounce. Only a single. 32 more needed!!

Aftab Alam to Rankin, leg byes, 1 run, angling in to the pads of the batsman and he misses the clip. The ball dribbles away behind square for a single

Boyd Rankin, left handed bat, comes to the crease

Aftab Alam to Murtagh, out Bowled!! Slower short ball does the trick. The batsman going for the hack across the line and missing it completely. The ball pegged the off-pole back and Afghanistan celebrate. That might well seal it. Murtagh b Aftab Alam 2(7)

Aftab Alam to Murtagh, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

Aftab Alam to Murtagh, no run, full ball and has been driven powerfully back to the bowler

Aftab Alam to Wilson, 1 run, swats the ball away into the on-side towards long-on for a single

Aftab Alam [8.0-2-31-1] is back into the attack

Rashid Khan to Wilson, 1 run, gets his bat ahead of his pads and nudges the ball away into the on-side for a single. Only 4 of this one. Superb from the leggie