AFG VS IRE - 2nd ODI, Afghanistan v Ireland in UAE, 2021

That's a wrap to today's contest. A one-sided affair with hardly any thrills as Afghanistan coasted their way to a series win. But as both captains said, the third game is of utmost importance with the World Cup Super League in progress. So there isn't anything like a dead rubber. Let's hope that we get a cracking contest in the final encounter. On that note, this is Hari Sadanandan signing off on behalf of Sagar Chawla, Nikhil Jadhav and Mukesh. Cheers!

Asghar Afghan | Winning captain: Really glad to win the game and win the series. We know the conditions here well and I wanted to bowl at the toss too because we played some practise games here, and it was nice to bat second. We bowled really well at the end, that was the turning point in this game. They (Rahmat and Shahidi) played really well. Important for senior players to take their time in a chase, and they did well to play almost till the end. Each game is very important, due to the World Cup Super League. Every day is a new day. We'll want to start afresh for the next game.

Andrew Balbirnie | Losing captain: We probably would have liked to have a few more runs. Probably lost a bit of momentum at the back end. 260 kept us in the game but we probably didn't have enough in the end. We definitely expected the surface to turn a bit more in the second half. We could do with a bit more improvement in the batting. Bar Paul and Curtis, the others didn't quite get going. He (Stirling) has a fantastic tour whenever we have an away tour. 10 points will go a long way in this competition, so every game is important. There are definitely players ready to go in the squad. The boys who played in the two games couldn't do the job but it wasn't for lack of trying. Important that we bounce back.

Rahmat Shah | Player of the Match: The coach and captain backed me to play my natural game, and the surface was good to bat on. Each team wants to win their games in the Super League, we're also keen to play to the best of our ability.

17:08 Local Time, 13:08 GMT, 18:38 IST: This has to be right up there among Afghanistan's best run chases in ODIs. 260 wasn't a threatening score but was surely competitive and when the two openers fell in succession, Ireland did sniff a chance. Rahmat and Shahidi had other ideas though, as the pair stitched a rollicking 184-run stand to kill the contest. The former in particular timed the ball sweetly from ball one and Shahidi too got going as the innings progressed. The left-hander fell in pursuit of his maiden ton but by then, the result was a foregone conclusion. Rahmat deservingly got to his three-figure mark and in the company of an aggressive Afghan, got the job done. Ireland's bowling lacked the teeth on a surface that didn't misbehave much in comparison to the first game. They'll rue their poor finish with the bat, letting go of a golden chance to get past the 280-run mark.

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan, 1 run, Afghanistan seal the series! Quicker one on middle and leg, Afghan sits back and flicks it to deep mid-wicket. Not the big hit we were expecting but obviously effective

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan, no run, flatter and on off, Afghan hangs back and blocks it back to the bowler

McCarthy to Rahmat, no run, oh, he doesn't! Maybe he is content staying unbeaten and letting his captain doing the final hit. Another yorker, it's jammed back towards the bowler

Last ball of this over, Shah surely is going to have a go.

McCarthy to Rahmat, no run, low full toss and it's driven past the non-striker, mid-on gets across to stop it

Fittingly, Rahmat gets the chance to finish the game.

McCarthy to Asghar Afghan, 1 run, a near-yorker on middle and leg, Afghan just about jams it towards cover for a single

McCarthy to Asghar Afghan, FOUR, he does but can't clear the ropes! Shortish and Afghan gets inside the line to pull this powerfully over backward square leg. Just on the bounce and past the ropes

One more such big hit needed. Afghan is definitely going to have a go if its in his arc.

McCarthy to Asghar Afghan, SIX, Afghan is in a hurry to get things done! Short again from McCarthy, Afghan swivels once more and goes squarer this time with the aerial pull. Clears deep square leg with ease

McCarthy to Asghar Afghan, SIX, he's picked the bones out of this one! Dug in short by McCarthy and Afghan swivels to pull this powerfully over deep mid-wicket. Made a cracking sound off the bat and the ball was only going one way once he struck this

Simi Singh to Rahmat, no run, fuller and outside off, Shah gets across and smothers this

Simi Singh to Rahmat, no run, fuller and on off, Shah gets across for the sweep but straight to short fine leg

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan, 1 run, quicker one on middle and leg, punched off the back foot down to long-on

Simi Singh to Asghar Afghan, no run, fuller and on off, defended off the front foot