Afghanistan tour of Ireland

IRE vs AFG, 1st T20I

Preview 

Ireland will host Afghanistan for a five match T20I series, first of which will be played on Tuesday, August 9. Ireland are coming on the back off three consecutive series defeats against New Zealand, India and South Africa. Afghanistan on the other hand registered a T20I series win over Zimbabwe. Both of these associate nations have already booked their place in the T20 World Series and this five match T20I series will provide an ideal preparation before the grand event. 

Despite losing 7 games on the bounce, the Irish have not let go of their fighting spirit. Of all the 7 losses they suffered against India, New Zealand and South Africa, they gave incredible fight but not round off games. Their inability to close games is one of the major reasons behind their dismal show off late. The hosts will be hoping to work on it ahead of the series opener. Bowling is another area which the men in green need to ponder upon. Their batting has done well but it is their bowling which has let them down. It has lacked penetration as they are not able to pick wickets. 

Afghanistan have done reasonably well in this format. Mohammad Nabi is leading his side well and has enjoyed good support from Najibul Zadran, Rahmunullah Gurbaz and Rashid Khan. Afghanistan due to their better team composition, above par batting and decent bowling prowess will start favourites, but the Irish will be seeking a maiden victory in a winless summer thus far. 

Match Details

Match: IRE vs AFG, 1st T20I, Afghanistan tour of Ireland, 2022

Date: Tuesday, August 09, 2022

Time: 4:30 PM

Venue: Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast  

Pitch Report

The pitch at Belfast has traditionally been good for batting. Batters can exploit the short boundaries here and score heaps of runs. 

IRE vs AFG Squads

IRE: Andrew Balbirnie (Captain), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Fionn Hand, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, and Craig Young.

AFG: Mohammad Nabi (c), Afsar Zazai, Azmatullah Omarzai, Darwish Rasooli, Farid Ahmad Malik, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Karim Janat, Najibullah Zadran, Naveen ul Haq, Noor Ahmad, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rashid Khan, Sharafuddin Ashraf.

Reserves: Mujeeb ur Rahman, Nijat Masoud, Qais Ahmad, and Usman Ghani.

IRE vs AFG Probable Playing XIs

IRE: Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie (c), Gareth Delany, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Andy McBrine/Barry McCarthy, Mark Adair, Josh Little, and Craig Young.

AFG: Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Karim Janat, Fazalhaq Farooqui

Match Prediction

Afghanistan will start firm favourites to win this encounter. Apart from a strong batting and bowling attack, the visitors have plenty of experience in their side which gives them the edge over the hosts. 

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