India vs Afghanistan, Asia Cup 2018: Match ends in a tie

K Ahmed to M Shahzad, Shaping away from around off, on a good length, dabbed to backward point with an open face.

K Ahmed to M Shahzad, On the hips, worked gently on the leg side. No run taken.

K Ahmed to M Shahzad, FOUR! Did not intend to do that at all. Shahzad actually wanted to leave this shortish ball, but was a little late in doing so and as a result, the ball went off the top half of the bat and over the gap between the keeper and first slip for a boundary.

K Ahmed to M Shahzad, Wide! Ahmed errs in line as he sprays it down the leg side, the batsman looks to flick but misses.

K Ahmed to M Shahzad, Just behind a length, keeps it around off again, Shahzad from inside the crease pushes it on the off side.

K Ahmed to M Shahzad, Good length delivery cutting in from around off, Shahzad rises on his toes and and blocks it back down the track.

We are ready to begin. Mohammad Shahzad has a new partner in Javed Ahmadi today. India spread out across the field after a last-minute pep talk from a familiar man. Khaleel Ahmed to kick things off. A slip in place along with a gully. Here we go...

Out come the match officials, referee and players from both teams for the national anthems. Afghanistan's first followed by India's.

New (stand-in) India captain, MS Dhoni says they were looking to bowl first anyway. On team changes, informs both openers (Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan) are missing, along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Yuzvendra Chahal. Reckons it's a good opportunity for the others to get a chance. Adds that even if they haven't got a chance yet, they are a part of the squad and there's no doubt about their quality. Adds further it's important for them to adjust to the conditions and do well. On his 200th ODI as captain, he says it's good to get to the milestone but it doesn't really matter to him.

Regular Afghanistan captain, Asghar Afghan says the wicket looks good for the spinners so wants to put runs on the board first up. Mentions there are two changes as Samiullah Shenwari and Ihsanullah Janat go out for Najibullah Zadran and Javed Ahmadi. States in the last two games they played very well and have learnt a lot of lessons from them. Feels conditions aren't all that different from Abu Dhabi as they play in the UAE quite regularly.

TOSS - Afghanistan win the toss and opt to bat!

Pitch report - It's not so hot today, a bit windy. The pitch looks a batting beauty and the bowlers might get something out of it if they hit the right lengths.

Hello and a very warm welcome everyone for the clash between arguably the two best teams in the tournament. Both topped their group in the preliminary stage, although have experienced different fortunes after that. With a couple of crushing wins, India have stormed into the final while Afghanistan suffered back-to-back close losses to get knocked out. The stakes aren't too high in this dead-rubber but watching the Afghans' recent resurgence, you can expect them to present a tough fight. For the Men in Blue, it will be an opportunity to check their bench strength and also the form of their middle order batsmen, who so far have got very little time in the middle. Let's hope for another thriller.