IRE vs PAK Match Preview
Ireland are currently in 11th position in the International Cricket Council's rankings for men's T20I teams. Pakistan are in seventh position. They will become familiar opponents in this series and again at the T20 World Cup in the United States of America next month. These two teams have not met in T20I cricket since 2009.
Paul Stirling is going to captain Ireland. He is their most experienced batter and could be in for a big performance at the top of the order. Stirling knows how to attack genuine pace. Pakistan have several fast bowlers, including Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf.
Rauf has been recalled to the T20I squad alongside Hasan Ali. Both are great competitors and should be key performers in this match and series. Ireland won't have Josh Little, who is instead staying with the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League. Mark Adair will be particularly important in Little's absence.
The presence of Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim in Pakistan's squad is exciting. They are two of the best spinning all-rounders in world cricket. Both were relatively outstanding in the Pakistan Super League. Anticipate telling showing from them individually or collectively.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are among the best batters in cricket across the globe. This shows in their ICC rankings. Azam is in second position and Rizwan third among the top T20I batters. Both will be key to stamp their authority during this series and in the USA.
George Dockrell is also vastly experience and a kingpin with bat and ball for Ireland. He has been playing international cricket for 14 years and, as a left-armer, could offer a lot of value turning the ball away from the right-handers in conducive Dublin conditions.
Weather Report
No rain is forecast in Dublin on matchday. We should get a full fixture in. The team to win the toss will likely choose to bowl first. Teams have generally preferred to chase rather than set targets at Castle Avenue in Dublin.
Pitch Report
A first-innings total of 150-plus could be competitive at Castle Avenue, where both teams could be tempted to play two spinners each.
That said, given the prepatory nature of this series for the T20 World Cup, both sides will want bigger totals and targets and might experiment with personnel combinations.
Notable stats
Rizwan in form
Rizwan recently reached 3,000 runs in T20I cricket. He is averaging 50 after 80 matches in the shortest format in international cricket. That's a remarkably good stretch of consistency over a prolonged period.
Team News
Ireland won't have Little, who is still in India. Graham Hume will likely play. Pakistan might not have Mohammad Amir, whose arrival in Ireland has been delayed by visa complications.
IRE vs PAK Probable 11
IRE Playing 11
- Andy Balbirnie
- Paul Stirling (C)
- Lorcan Tucker (Wk)
- Harry Tector
- Curtis Campher
- George Dockrell
- Gareth Delany
- Mark Adair
- Barry McCarthy
- Ben White
- Graham Hume
PAK Playing 11
- Babar Azam (C)
- Mohammad Rizwan (Wk)
- Saim Ayub
- Fakhar Zaman
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Shadab Khan
- Imad Wasim
- Hasan Ali
- Haris Rauf
- Shaheen Afridi
- Naseem Shah
Dream11 Prediction
Pakistan should win this match despite Ireland's homeground advantage and penchant for beating bigger teams. The visitors' bowling and batting firepower should be too strong for the Irish.
Top Picks
Mohammad Rizwan - name the Pakistan batting kingpin in your Dream11 and anticipate a big showing.
George Dockrell - for a wicket-taking left-arm spinner, look no further than the seasoned Ireland star.
Haris Rauf - the Pakistan pace ace should bowl with genuine speed and take advantage Dublin conditions.
IRE vs PAK Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: Mohammad Rizwan (VC)
Batters: Babar Azam (C), Fakhar Zaman, Harry Tector
All-rounders: Curtis Campher, Mark Adair, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan
Bowlers: Barry McCarthy, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi
