The anthems are all done and we're nearly set for live action. Two slips to start

Hashmatullah Shahidi | Afghanistan Captain: Being honest, we wanted to bat first.

Paul Stirling | Ireland Captain: We're going to have a bowl, slightly uncertain conditions so we're going to bowl and see what happens. Challenges just get tougher as times go on an another tough challenge here.

Pitch report: "There isn't a breeze now. Could be quite an uncomfortable afternoon for the players. Boundaries all around are 70m. The outfield is looking good and pristine. Typical Sharjah surface. Very dry, it's got a sheen on it and cracks underneath. Shows a lack of moisture. Dry roots of grass have been rolled into the surface and that might slow the ball a bit and the spinners might get some turn. We might get some dew later." reckons TIno Mawoyo.

Teams:

Ireland (Playing XI): Paul Stirling(c), Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker(w), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Andy McBrine, Theo van Woerkom, Graham Hume, Craig Young

Afghanistan (Playing XI): Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Allah Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Ireland have won the toss and have opted to field

14:30 Local Time, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST: Ireland registered their first-ever victory in Test cricket by beating Afghanistan last week. It was a commendable bowling performance by Mark Adair with the help of other Ireland pacers that helped the visitors knockout the opposition in alien conditions. Hello and welcome to the coverage of the shorter over formats folks. The two teams will lock horns in three ODIs and three T20Is starting today as Afghanistan will be looking forward to seeking revenge after that loss. Both the teams have some experienced players in their respective teams, so we can expect today’s clash to be an interesting one. Stay around for the toss and teams..

Squads:

Afghanistan Squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Riaz Hassan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Naveed Zadran, Allah Ghazanfar, Nangyal Kharoti, Bilal Sami, Ikram Alikhil

Ireland Squad: Paul Stirling(c), Andy McBrine, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker(w), Gareth Delany, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Andrew Balbirnie, Mark Adair, Craig Young, Barry McCarthy, Theo van Woerkom, Graham Hume, Matthew Foster, Neil Rock