Afghanistan vs Ireland Live ಸ್ಕೋರ್, 5th ODI of Afghanistan tour of Ireland, 2026

No run, the batter has just blocked that from the crease.

No way through.

Doing too much! Omarzai keeps peppering that length, landing this one on off and gets it to nip back in again. Stirling looks to get forward and drive but the ball beats the inside edge and hits him high on the pads. A stifled appeal for LBW, but the umpire says no.

That is a peach! Omarzai gets the line and length spot-on. This one pitches on a good length, around the fifth stump channel and darts back in. Paul Stirling looks to block but the ball goes between bat and pad, shaving the top of the stumps.

WIDE! The inswinger now, but the line is too straight to begin with, and the ball slides well down leg.

Balbirnie and Ireland are off the mark. Good-length delivery, on off and middle, nibbling away. Balbirnie stays back and pushes it down to the right of cover for a single.

A full ball to begin with, outside the off stump and shaping further away. Andy Balbirnie shoulders arms at it.

Let's play - The anthems are done and the Afghans get into a huddle. They disperse and are followed by the two Irish openers - Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie. The first new ball has been handed to Azmatullah Omarzai. Balbirnie to face. Here we go!

National anthems - The match officials and the players from both sides stand in a line to respect the national anthems of both countries. It will be Afghanistan's first, followed by that of the Irish.

PITCH REPORT - Former Irish cricketer, Ed Joyce, is inspecting the deck. He says that it is a chilly and overcast day, so the first 10-15 overs will be crucial. Mentions that it is the same pitch from the last game, so it is a bit used but should play well. Reckons that it might not be the 650-odd runs scored in the last game, but it should still be good for batting after the first few overs.

The captain of Ireland, PAUL STIRLING, says that had he won the toss, he would have chosen to bat first, so is happy to go out there and try to change the script for the series. On being asked next as to what exactly do they need to do to achieve the change, Stirling says that he emphasized in the previous game as well that this one is a very important game. Adds that the Irish have lost the seies but the players are playing for their country. Further says that there is plenty of optimism and they are building up some momentum. On the team news, Paul informs three changes. First states that Jordan Neill has come directly into the squad as a last minute replacement for Mark Adair who pulled up last night. Goes onto say that Jai Moondra and George Dockrell return to the playing XI.

The skipper of Afghanistan, RAHMAT SHAH, says they will bowl first given the pitch and weather conditions. He then talks about Hashmatullah Shahidi and his 100th ODI, citing that he's been a great servant of Afghanistan cricket. Adds that they want to keep things simple with the ball. Ends by informing that they have three changes with Rashid Khan and a couple of others missing out.

Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmat Shah (C), Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Nangeyalia Kharote, AM Ghazanfar, Mohammad Saleem and Ziaur Rahman. Team changes - IN - Ikram Alikhil, Nangeyalia Kharote and Mohammad Saleem. OUT - Darwish Rasooli, Rashid Khan and Yamin Ahmadzai.

Ireland (Playing XI) - Paul Stirling (C), Andy Balbirnie, Cade Carmichael, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (WK), Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Jordan Neill, Gavin Hoey, Liam McCarthy and Jai Moondra. Team changes - IN - George Dockrell, Jordan Neill and Jai Moondra. OUT - Ben Calitz, Mark Adair and Byron McDonough.

TOSS - All in readiness for the toss. Rahmat Shah has called it correctly and AFGHANISTAN WILL BOWL FIRST.