Clinical performance from Afghanistan. They played at their adopted home ground, and played like the home team, being cheered amply from onlookers and thoroughly outplaying the opposition. They go 1-0 up in the three-match series. Ireland have issues to sort out, especially with the ball. Their batting was pretty decent, although they did not get as many runs on the board as they would have liked. But it was still, by far, the better suit today. Can they bounce back from this big defeat or will Afghanistan seal the series on Friday? Join us then to find out. Cheers!

Asghar Stanikzai - On this kind of wicket, it does not matter if we bat first or bowl first. The outfield here is very fast. We always believed the target was chaseable. It is always important to start the series well, and I am happy that we were able to win.

William Porterfield - It was a case of runs not on the board. We did not bowl too well either. 180 is what we were trying, we could have got there comfortably given the start we had, but unfortunately, we could not do so.

Shenwari - The captain and coach told me to play my natural game, which I did and I am happy for having done it. We have played some cricket recently, so all the guys have been busy coming into this series.

Samiullah Shenwari is the Man of the Match for his half-century.

5.06pm That was a no-contest. Ireland have been thoroughly outplayed, with bat and ball. Ireland made a superb start as Afghanistan's bowlers sprayed it too full or too short and offered width on both lengths. Their spinners then came and stifled Ireland, but they were able to put up a decent score nonetheless. It was always going to be hard work to defend 165 given the firepower at the top that Afghanistan possess. But bowling remains a major worry for Ireland as they bowled poor lines and lengths and were ruthlessly punished by Afghanistan's batsmen who power-hit their way to take a 1-0 lead. Presentation time.

Ahmad Khalid Qu: "I am desperately waiting to see Afghanistan receive full membership. A wish that will come true very soon."

Mohib.H: "Well done Afghanistan, you truly deserve to take on the BIG boys now...."

Mohib.H: "Hope to see Afghanistan as the 12th headache for the BIG boys in the nearest future. "

Laiqkhan Rafeh: "Well played boys, a step closer to full membership, keep it up"

Mujeeb : "@Suga: In that case, Afghanistan should get full membership because currently, they are too good among the Associates.....The same goes for Ireland ..... !"

Shan: "Just to get a perspective... the next best run getter from an associate team is Porterfield, who played almost the same number of matches but is almost 750 runs lesser than Shehzad... That's 77% more than the next best associate player..."

Suga: "I think ICC should prevent Afghanistan from playing with associate nations, considering their consistent win over them."