Ireland vs Afghanistan, IRE vs AFG, Today Match Prediction 12 August 2022

ire vs afg Match Prediction & Analysis

Ireland would be eying a series win as they take on Afghanistan in the third T20 of the 5-match series. The hosts have won both the games they have played. It was an excellent show from their batsmen and bowlers as they won the last game by 5 wickets. Irish players would like to push this momentum forward and take the series with two more games to go.  

Ireland has won the two games by big margins, and they haven’t allowed the Afghans to settle down. Their batsmen have been performing well in this format for the last few months. This would add to the side’s confidence. Afghanistan has suffered due to the lack of form among its key players. They will fight hard here, and we expect to see a close game. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Ireland Preview

Andrew Balbirnie would be happy with the way his side has played in this series. They have used the home advantage well with their batsmen and bowlers looking in good shape. Afghans are a good side in this format of the game and Balbirnie wouldn’t want his players to take it easy. He would like them to go for the kill and win the series in this game.  

Paul Stirling and Balbirnie have looked in good form and the pair shall aim to set up a big opening wicket stand. Lorcan Tucker is having a good season and strengthens the batting with Harry Tector and George Dockrell. The side has depth in its batting with the likes of Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, Andy McBrine, and Mark Adair to follow.  

Their bowlers would look to repeat their performance from the last game. Joshua Little and Adair were good with the new ball, and they would carry this confidence. Campher bowled well and he has an important role in the middle overs with McBrine. Delany and Barry McCarthy make it a good attack.

Ireland Predicted Playing XI:

Andrew Balbirnie (c), Paul Stirling, Gareth Delany, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Craig Young, Joshua Little

Ireland Actual Playing XI:

Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Fionn Hand, Joshua Little, Paul Stirling, George Dockrell, Lorcan Tucker, Graham Hume, Gareth Delany, Harry Tector, Andrew Balbirnie

Afghanistan Preview

Mohammad Nabi’s side would face the heat as they fight to survive in the series. The side batted poorly in the last game after their bowlers had a poor outing in the first game. Nabi would be upset with his side’s performance as they had come here with better prospects. With their backs against the wall, the Afghan skipper would like to see a determined show from his players.  

Rahmanullah Gurbaz will need to play a solid hand up the order as he opens with Usman Ghani. Both these players went out cheaply in the last game. Hashmatullah Shahidi must improve his scoring rate at No. 3 and stitch partnerships with Ibrahim Zadran and Najibullah Zadran. Nabi has to play a strong hand in this game alongside Azmatullah Omarzai and Rashid Khan.  

Their bowlers fought well in the last game and good spells from Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi would put the Irish batting under pressure. Rashid Khan has to deliver quick blows in the middle overs with Mujeeb ur Rahman as they have the skills to do well even on these tracks. Nabi and Omarzai complete a strong bowling attack for the side. 

Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI:

Mohammad Nabi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Usman Ghani, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Afghanistan Actual Playing XI:

Usman Ghani, Naveen ul Haq, Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Nabi

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

There would be clear skies over Belfast on August 12. The wicket is expected to be flat and good to bat on as we have seen in recent games that have been played here. There would be some assistance for the bowlers in the early overs of the game. The side batting would aim at putting 170 on the scoreboard.

Venue Details

Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast is a small ground with a fast outfield. The shorter square boundaries make it a great venue for batsmen. They can score quick runs easily and the venue has seen several big scores. There is some assistance for fast bowlers with the new ball, but the conditions are extremely challenging for the spinners.

Toss: To Bowl

Both games have been won by sides that have chased the scores. The wicket has been good to bat on throughout the game and this makes it a great surface for chasing big totals. The two captains shall have this in their mind and the side winning the toss is likely to opt for bowling first.