The visitors won the toss and put Ireland into bat. Afghanistan wasted little time in making inroads with Rahmanullah building his tally, although they would lose Ibrahim Zadran for 12 with Byron McDonagh taking the wicket. Sediq Atal was next to go with 27 off 25, balls, while Adair struck early against visitors' captain Rahmat Shah. While Hashmatullah Shahidi chipped in with 22 before becoming Hoey's second victim, Rahmanullah continued to lead the way for the visitors with five sixes and two fours before Hoey removed him and then Darwish for 13. Ireland had a glimmer of hope when Adair removed Azmatullah Omarzai, but Rashid's 37 helped the visitors home before the sides meet again at Stormont on Wednesday.