AFG vs IRE Match Preview
In the first ODI between the two countries, the Afghanistan team batted first at the same venue in Sharjah. They managed to pile up 310 runs on this track for the loss of five wickets. This score was possible mainly due to Rahmanullah Gurbaz's batting. He hit a superb hundred to provide solid impetus for the Afghanistan score. Together with Ibrahim Zadran, he raised a stand of 150 runs from 31 overs. Mohammad Nabi playing in the number four position, scored 40 runs from 27 balls with two sixes and three fours.
Hashmatullah Shahidi also scored 50 runs from 33 balls, including six fours and one six. The skipper ensured that the Afghan score crossed the 300-run mark. The pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi was the best bowler for Afghanistan during the Irish inning. He picked up four vital scalps during the Ireland chase for 51 runs. His opening partner, Azmatullah Omarzai, also picked up two wickets from his last ten overs, giving away 47 runs in the process. The other bowlers on the wicket’s column were Gulbadin Naib and Noor Ahmed.
Some of the Irish bowlers went for many runs during the Afghanistan innings. Andy Brine bowled economically, giving away just 23 runs from his six overs. He could not pick up a wicket, though. The most successful bowler for Ireland in this inning was Theo van Woerkom. He picked up three victims for 55 runs from his ten overs. Unfortunately for Ireland, their main bowler, Mark Adair, went for many runs and could not pick up a wicket either. Graham Hume and Craig Young picked up one wicket apiece.
The Ireland chase got off on a sour note. The top three batters were back in the pavilion in their first eleven overs with just 34 runs on the board. After that, there was a massive partnership between Harry Tector and the wicket-keeper batsman Lorcan Tucker. These two took the score to 207 runs before Tucker got out. The procession began after losing this wicket, and none of the batters could make much of an impression. Tucker and Tector were the only batters who scored in double digits in the game for Ireland.
Weather Report
Some rain is expected in Sharjah on a Saturday morning. But as it is a day/night game, it will probably not spoil it. The temperature during the game will remain close to 27 degrees. You can also expect cloud cover during this contest. This might help the seamers get some lateral movement.
Pitch Report
The ground of Sharjah Cricket Stadium is known for its small dimensions. You will get short boundaries and a surface mainly on the slower side. Although the pitch will be slow, you can expect the shorter boundaries to work for the batters. But spinners can expect some assistance in the later stages of the game.
Notable stats
Azmatullah Omarzai has an excellent average for Afghanistan with the bat in recent games.
Omarzai has scored 475 runs in his last ten games with an average of 95.
In recent contests, Paul Stirling has an excellent average-to-strike rate ratio for Ireland.
Paul Stirling has scored 293 runs from his last ten games with an average of 36.63 and a strike rate of 103.9.
Team News
The two teams do not appear to have any injury worries, so we can expect entire teams to be up for selection in this contest.
AFG vs IRE Probable 11
AFG Playing 11
- Hashmatullah Shahidi (C)
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Ikram Alikhil
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Mohammad Nabi
- Gulbadin Naib
- Noor Ahmad
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
- Rahmat Shah (Wk)
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Allah Ghazanfar
IRE Playing 11
- George Dockrell
- Graham Hume
- Andrew Balbirnie
- Curtis Campher
- Harry Tector
- Paul Stirling (C)
- Lorcan Tucker (Wk)
- Mark Adair
- Andy McBrine
- Theo van Woerkom
- Craig Young
Dream11 Prediction
As expected, the Afghanistan team won the series' first game to take an early lead. They will once again be the favorites for this contest. But the Ireland team, especially Harry Tector, showed much spirit in the first game. They are capable of pulling one across the Afghans. We will bet with Afghanistan to win this contest.
Top Picks
Azmatullah Omarzai: Omarzai has an average of 95 from his last ten games with a strike rate of 106.02. He has also picked up 11 wickets in this period.
Harry Tector: Harry Tector was in fine form in his last game for Ireland. He has scored 406 runs in his last ten games with an average of 50.75.
Craig Young: Young has picked up 14 wickets from his last eight games with an excellent strike rate of 25.28.
Fazalhaq Farooqi: Farooqi has nine wickets from his last seven games and a strike rate of 37.33. He also picked up a 4-fer in the previous game.
AFG vs IRE Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: R Gurbaz (VC), L Tucker
Batters: H Shahidi, H Tector, I Zadran
All-rounders: M Nabi, A Omarzai (C), C Campher
Bowlers: M Adair, T van Woerkom, F Farooqi
