IRE vs PAK Match Preview
Ireland pulled offf quite an upset in the first T20I, beating a Pakistan team who are placed significantly higher in the International Cricket Council's rankings for men's T20I teams. This was a great boost for the Irish, while the Pakistanis will want to bounce back immediately.
When looking through the all-rounders, Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim should be among your considerations. Neither player did particularly well in the first match, but both can take the contest to the opposition with bat and ball. It could be worth naming both in your Dream11 team.
Craig Young and Abbas Afridi should definitely feature among your seamer selections. Afridi and Young took two wickets each in Dublin earlier this week. Both will be familiar with conditions and are primed to succeed at the same venue again.
Get Andy Balbirnie into your Dream11 team selection. He hit 77 and collected the Player of the Match award in the series opener. Balbirnie batted with cool, calm, collection and calculated hitting against a challenging opposition bowling attack. Look forward to another big showing from the Ireland opener.
Paul Stirling, despite failing in the series opener, is still worth picking. He has so much experience and has played a lot of T20 cricket around the world - internationallly and domestically. Stirling could also offer value with the ball if or when he brings himself into the attack.
If not Azam Khan, then opt for Mohammad Rizwan as your wicketkeeper. He is currently among the top three batters in T20I cricket around the globe, according to the ICC's rankings. He is sound behind the stumps. Back this hard-hitting talent for a telling performance.
Weather Report
Rain is forecast in Dublin on matchday. If the match is shortened due to wet weather, this could suit the team batting second and chasing an adjusted target. The side to win the toss will likely choose to bowl first, regardless.
Pitch Report
Pakistan posted a score of 182 in the series opener. It wasn't enough. Ireland reached the 183-run target with one delivery to spare. It will be interesting to see if the same pitch is used. Both teams should play two spinners.
Notable stats
Balbirnie in form
The Ireland opener is highly experienced in T20I cricket. He has played more than 100 T20Is and struck 11 half-centuries. The 77 he hit in the series opener marked his second-highest score in the shortest format of the international game.
Team News
Pakistan will likely find space for Hasan Ali or Haris Rauf in their XI this time. Ireland might not change a winning XI, but could opt for seamer Graham Hume ahead of one of their two leg-spinners.
IRE vs PAK Probable 11
IRE Playing 11
- Andy Balbirnie
- Paul Stirling (C)
- Lorcan Tucker (Wk)
- Harry Tector
- George Dockrell
- Gareth Delany
- Curtis Campher
- Mark Adair
- Ben White
- Craig Young
- Barry McCarthy
PAK Playing 11
- Saim Ayub
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Babar Azam (C)
- Fakhar Zaman
- Azam Khan (Wk)
- Shadab Khan
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Shaheen Afridi
- Imad Wasim
- Naseem Shah
- Abbas Afridi
Dream11 Prediction
Ireland have momentum and homeground advantage. They should capitalise on their win in the series opener with another here. Pakistan are evidently under threat.
Top Picks
Babar Azam: Put the Pakistan captain in your Dream11 team. He hit a half-century in the first match and should do well again.
Craig Young: Opt for the Ireland seamer. He was his team's most successful bowler in the first match and will enjoy conditions again.
Shadab Khan: For a world-class all-rounder, look no further than this Pakistan ace. He can add a lot of value with bat and ball in Dublin.
IRE vs PAK Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: Mohammad Rizwan (VC)
Batters: Andy Balbirnie, Babar Azam (C), Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman
All-rounders: Mark Adair, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan
Bowlers: Shaheen Afridi, Abbas Afridi, Naseem Shah
