Player of the Match
Player of the Match

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, 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:
6 | 6 Runs 1 Wkt | IRE: 49/3 (8 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 8.16, RRR: 8.00)

  • Harry Tector8 (4b)
  • George Dockrell1 (1b)
  • Rashid Khan2-0-17-1
  • Mujeeb Ur Rahman2-0-17-2
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.

LJ 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:
5 | 12 Runs 1 Wkt | IRE: 43/2 (14 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 8.60, RRR: 7.00)

  • Harry Tector4 (1b)
  • Lorcan Tucker13 (10b)
  • Mujeeb Ur Rahman2-0-17-2
  • Rashid Khan1-0-11-0

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 Ur Rahman to Tector, FOUR, 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 Ur Rahman 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 Ur Rahman 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

PR Stirling c Naveen-ul-Haq b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 16 (10b 1x4 1x6) SR: 160.00

4.3
1
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Tucker, 1 run, fuller outside off, he squeezes it to deep point for a run
4.2
0
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Tucker, no run, goes for the sweep again, slips as that hits him around the midriff

Ireland 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st17A BalbirniePR Stirling
2nd21PR StirlingLJ Tucker
3rd7LJ TuckerHT Tector
4th11GH DockrellHT Tector