A five-wicket win for Afghanistan then. They play their second ODI against Ireland in a couple of days' time. Join us then, for the moment, signing off on behalf of scorer Thilak Ram and my co-commentator Hemant Brar, this is Debayan Sen. Enjoy the game with ESPNcricinfo!
Asghar Afghan: "The first game is always important. Sometimes the wicket is like that, and that's why we had to play carefully. Mohammad Shahzad played really well."
Gulbadin Naib is the man of the match. Tells the broadcasters: "It's not easy to play on this kind of team, and then to perform and get the man of the match award. Wicket is changed, it is low and you cannot take most different deliveries. I planned to bowl slower ones and change the pace, and keep a tight line."
William Porterfield: "I think if we had (picked wickets) in the first 5-6 overs, we would have given ourselves a chance. It was a tough wicket, there was no way to hit the ball fluently. 220-230 would have been a good chase. I don' t think it played slower than expected. We just left ourselves short with the bat. With such tight schedules, it's more mental. I don't think the pitch will be too much different."
"My Crystal Ball is over the moon, to say the least. It's jumping around. "Is it because they did manage to chase this target down without major stutters like I smelled and now I'm up 1-0 with ABJ?" I ask. "Well I have done an Afridi and won't comment on International Affairs", it says. "I'm just happy for Afghanistan! Go on, lads, and conquer the world!'" muses Abhijato
7.57pm The result was scarcely in doubt, especially after the way Afghanistan bowled once William Porterfield won the toss and elected to bat. Barring Stirling, the rest of them were blown away by the control and variations of a good Afghan unit, on a pretty tricky wicket. 161 was always going to be difficult to defend, but Ireland made a good fist of it. They kept picking wickets at regular intervals, but two scratchy but effective hands from Mohammad Shahzad and Gulbadin Naib have seen Afghanistan through
Abdul Rahim Noo: "As I have seen Ireland back in 2003 4 5 they were one of the best teams in the world that Afghan team were playing for clubs in Peshawar now see the difference a lot of things been changed my dream came true when I saw Afghan team playing on international stages back in 2011 especially Noor Ali Zadran's 50 against SA "
