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Afghanistan vs Ireland, ICC Inter-continental Cup 2017 at Greater NOIDA: Likely XIs for both sides

This will be the final match for both sides in the championship; hence a win here will go a long way for them in their conquest of a Test membership.

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Zahir Khan is highest wicket-taker for Afghanistan in ICC Intercontinental Cup © AFP

After a grueling One-Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) series, Afghanistan and Ireland gear up to take on each other in the four-day ICC Intercontinental Cup match. Much like the ODI and T20I series, this too will be played out at the Greater Noida Stadium in NCR, Delhi. Ireland is currently leading the points table with 4 wins out of 4 games and 80 points in the kitty. Afghanistan is just below them with 3 wins out of 4  and 61 points. This will be the final match for both sides in the championship; hence a win here will go a long way for them in their conquest of a Test membership. Let us have a look into the likely XIs both sides could field.

Top order: Mohammad Shahzad will again be a threat for Ireland, along with Rahmat Shah. Shahzad is Afghanistan’s leading run scorer in the tournament. Rahmat is technically sound, but his patience in the middle is of question. Hashmatullah Shahidi, who starred with the bat in the last four-day game against Netherlands, could be promoted to No.3, given his form of late.

Ireland’s top order is as formidable as it can get, with all their batsmen being in the top-scoring list. Ed Joyce leads from the front with 592 runs, while skipper William Porterfield has 349 runs under his kitty. Paul Stirling, who was amongst the runs in the limited-overs leg, has already 248 runs this season.

Middle order: Skipper Asghar Stanikzai, who is Afghanistan’s second best batsman after Shahzad, will marshal Afghanistan’s middle order. Nasir Jamal, who played a match-winning knock of 43, is expected to keep his place. All-rounder Mohammad Nabi will be a tough man to keep out. Mirwais Ashraf completes a well-balanced middle order.

Ireland’s middle order is stronger than ever but lacks in form and consistency. Niall O’Brien, Gary Wilson and Kevin O’Brien make for an intimidating trio. Wilson with 222 runs is leading the way and is closely followed by Kevin with 190 runs. John Anderson is expected to keep his place in the side.

Lower order:

Afghanistan will be bolstered with the inclusion of Rashid Khan. The leg-spinner will get a healthy competition from their young left-arm Chinaman Zahir Khan, who is leading the wickets tally with 19 scalps. Fast bowling duties will be taken care by Yamin Ahmadzai and Dawlat Zadran, who have been in wicket-taking form. While Ahmadzai has 13 wickets, Dawlat is just 2 shy of his tally with 11.

Ireland’s bowling has been in red-hot form with George Dockrell leading the surge with 13 wickets. Tim Murtagh has complemented him well with 18 victims to his name. Andrew McBrine will take care of the spin department along with Dockrell, with his off spin. Jacob Mulder completes a well-organised attack with his leg spin. This will be Jacob’s maiden First-Class match.

Likely XIs:

Ireland XI: William Porterfield (c), George Dockrell, Andy McBrine, Tim Murtagh, Niall O’Brien (wk), Paul Stirling, Gary Wilson, Jacob Mulder, Kevin O’Brien, Ed Joyce, John Anderson

Afghanistan XI: Asghar Stanikzai (c), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Nasir Jamal, Yamin Ahmadzai, Rashid Khan, Zahir Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Noor Ali Zadran

 

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