Afghanistan vs Ireland, Afghanistan v Ireland in India, 2019, Today Match Prediction 24 Feb 2019

afg vs ire Match Prediction & Analysis

Afghanistan will be keen to continue their unbeaten streak when they take on Ireland in the third and final game of the T20I series in Dehradun on Sunday.

In the previous game, Afghanistan produced a crushing win over Ireland courtesy of splendid performances from Hazratullah Zazai, Usman Ghani and Usman Ghani. Asghar Afghan will be keen to complete a whitewash over Ireland in the T20I series.

On the other hand, Ireland suffered a humiliating defeat in the second game of the series played in Dehradun. Captain Paul Stirling would be keen that side can come up with something special to earn a consolation win in this dead rubber.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Afghanistan Preview

The side will be confident of beating Ireland in the final game of the T20I series on Sunday. Skipper Asghar Afghan will be pleased with his side’s performance in this T20I series.

Opener Hazratullah Zazai was star performer for the side with 162 runs off 62 balls with the help of eleven fours and sixteen sixes. Zazai notched up his career-best score in the T20 format and would be keen to continue his good form in the final game of the series. He was well supported by Usman Ghani, who scored 73 off 48 balls with the help of seven fours and three sixes.

The middle-order has good players like Samiullah Shinwari, Asghar Afghan and Mohammad Nabi, who will be keen to score in this final game of the T20I series. Najibullah Zadran also produced innings in the opening game of the T20I series.

In the bowling department, off-spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman has done an excellent for Afghanistan with the new-ball. He has kept a lid on the rate of the scoring inside the Powerplay overs. Fareed Ahmed and Mohammad Nabi had a poor outing with the ball and will need to improve in the final game of the series.

Leg-spinner Rashid Khan has been premier bowler for the side in this series and claimed six wickets at an average of 7.66

Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI:

Asghar Afghan (c), Shafiqullah (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Rashid Khan, Samiullah Shinwari, Fareed Ahmed, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Usman Ghani, Hazratullah Zazai.

Afghanistan Actual Playing XI:

Asghar Afghan, N Zadran, Usman Ghani, N Tarakai, Hazratullah Zazai, Zia-ur-Rehman, Shafiqullah, Rashid Khan, Sayed Shirzad, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Nabi

Ireland Preview

The side has suffered from inconsistency with bat and ball so far in this T20I series. Captain Paul Stirling will be desperate for a win in order to gain some confidence going into the one-day series. Stirling produced a valiant innings in the second game of the series played against Afghanistan. He scored 91 off 50 balls with the help of twelve fours and two sixes. Ireland will be hoping that Stirling can continue his good form for the side at the top of the innings. He was well supported by Kevin O’Brien, who chipped in with 37 off 25 balls with the help of two fours and two sixes.

The biggest disappointment has been the lack of runs from the middle-order as Andrew Balbirnie, Shane Getkate and Lorcan Tucker have failed to put in contributions for the side in this T20I series. Simi Singh and Stuart Poynter also produced some runs in the previous game played against Afghanistan.

In the bowling department, the pace trio of Boyd Rankin, Josh Little and Peter Chase have failed to provide breakthroughs with the new-ball. The pace bowlers have conceded more than nine runs an over and failed to create pressure on Afghan bowling lineup. 

The side used a lot of options in the previous game as Afghanistan scored 278 runs from their 20 overs. Certainly, bowling lineup has been their Achilles heel in this T20I series.

Ireland Predicted Playing XI:

Paul Stirling (c), Kevin O’Brien, Andrew Balbirnie, Simi Singh, George Dockrell, Shane Getkate, Stuart Poynter (wk), Josh Little, Lorcan Tucker, Boyd Rankin, Peter Chase.

Ireland Actual Playing XI:

Peter Chase, Shane Getkate, Simi Singh, SR Thompson, George Dockrell, Joshua Little, Paul Stirling, Andy Balbirnie, Kevin O'Brien, WB Rankin, Stuart Poynter

Weather Conditions

The pitch has been placid as the previous game saw both sides score lot of runs. The weather conditions for the game on Sunday are going to be partly cloudy.

Venue

Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun has hosted five T20I games. All the games have been won by Afghanistan, who have produced dominance with bat and ball at this venue.

Toss: To Bat

The side that wins the toss will be looking to bat first and post a daunting score on the board. The previous game saw Afghanistan score 278 runs while batting first.