Published: Mar 23, 2017, 05:28 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 23, 2017, 05:28 PM (IST)
The five-match ODI series between Afghanistan and Ireland has turned out to be a topsy-turvy affair. Asghar Stanikzai’s side started on an emphatic fashion with a 2-0 lead. However, William Porterfield’s men levelled the series at 2-2 before the all-important series decider. There is not much too separate between both sides as they square up for the fifth and final encounter. Let us walk through the likely XIs for both camps before they take on the field here at Greater NOIDA. Full Cricket Scorecard, Afghanistan vs Ireland, 5th ODI
Afghanistan –
Top order: There is a little point in sweating over Mohammad Shahzad’s position in the team ahead of the finale. His bat has remained silent in the past two encounters, but he will be raring to go on Friday. Afghanistan have produced some strange tactics on the field. They brought in Usman Ghani instead of Noor Ali Zadran when the latter failed in only one match. Nonetheless, the move paid no dividends which should lead way for Noor Ali’s comeback. Rahmat Shah, despite twin failures, will continue feature at No. 3.
Stanikzai will come in at No. 4 and try to up the ante in the middle overs. He got a start in the previous tie but got out to a poor shot. Stanikzai will like to step up, like he did in the second ODI, and bring his side close to another series triumph.
Middle and lower order: Afghanistan play along with their middle order a lot. Samiullah Shenwari was replaced by Hashmatullah Shahidi on Wednesday. It will be tough to say who gets a nod by an ‘experimental’ Afghan camp. In all case, either of them will bat at No. 5 followed by their floater, Mohammad Nabi. Nabi played a handy knock of 41 in the last game and should ideally be followed by Shafiqullah Shafiq at 7. Afghanistan have not used the in-form batsman properly by sending him at No. 9 and will like to make amends on Friday.
Gulbadin Naib should bat at No. 8 with Rashid Khan coming after him. Dawlat Zadran also played a vital knock to steer his side past the 200-run mark in the last clash. He will get a look-in at No. 10 before Amir Hamza sums up the line-up.
Bowlers: Rashid and Zadran are the leading wicket-takers of the series. Undoubtedly, they will spearhead the attack followed by Naib, Nabi and Hamza. Nabi finally came into the groove with the ball by claiming a 4-for in the last encounter. Stanikzai will again look up to his spinners to do the job against the Irish line-up.
Ireland –
Top order: Ed Joyce and Paul Stirling are one of the mainstays of the Irish batting line-up. They will continue to open the innings and eye a solid start. Joyce will be itching to play a long innings after being scratchy in series. On the other hand, Stirling has been in rollicking form. He missed out on the last match but being the highest run-scorer (290 runs), he will be eager to turn it around in the finale. William Porterfield will join in at No. 3. After back-to-back failures, the second highest run-getter will look to set the ball rolling on Friday.
Andrew Balbirnie came ahead of Man-of-the-Match, Kevin O’Brien, in the fourth clash. He will continue to do so to keep a left hand-right hand combination in the middle.
Middle and lower order: Kevin’s tight hamstring spurred up again in his 72-run knock on Wednesday. In the post-match conference, vice-captain, Gary Wilson stated that he will undergo few tests before a final call is taken on his availability for Friday. If he misses out, this will be a huge blow. However, Ireland will most likely bring back his elder brother, Niall O’Brien in this case. Niall will bat at N0. 5, followed by Wilson.
Stuart Thompson has been entrusted to finish off the innings at No. 7 but failed. Nonetheless, Porterfield and co. will like to give him another run in the decider. Their inexperienced lower order cannot afford to play with one batsman less. However, there might be a toss-up between Thompson and George Dockrell. If Dockrell is retained in the XI, he will spearhead the lower order followed by Andy McBrine, Peter Chase, Tim Murtagh and Jacob Mulder.
Bowlers: Kevin’s absence will lead to huge concerns for Ireland. He not only fought injury to shine with the bat on Wednesday, but also picked up a 4-for. The Irish camp will not only have to bring in a handy batsman to fill in for Kevin, but also play an extra seamer. They cannot rely on Thompson (if he plays) and Murtagh to do the job solely. To top it all, Thompson did not even bowl in the third ODI. By all means, they will resort to Chase and Murtagh to lead the pace battery.
In the spin arsenal, Ireland did well in the last two games. Mulder, McBrine and Dockrell did well to restrict Afghanistan under 250. However, Dockrell’s wicket column (along with a series average of 49.25) remained empty, which may force his exclusion if they rely on Thompson.
Ireland’s line-up looks uncertain to a large extent. It all boils down to Kevin’s fitness. If the right-hander is deemed fit, they will go with the same XI. However, if the opposite happens, they will play Niall. But the equation does not get simple here itself. They will have to fill in Kevin’s 10 overs as well. For that, they may have to accommodate a place for Chase as well. Chase’s entry will lead to Thompson or Dockrell’s drubbing.
Afghanistan likely XI: Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Noor Ali Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Stanikzai (c), Samiullah Shenwari/Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Shafiqullah Shafiq, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Amir Hamza
Ireland likely XI (if Kevin is fit): Ed Joyce, Paul Stirling, William Porterfield (c), Andrew Balbirnie, Kevin O’Brien, Gary Wilson (wk), Stuart Thompson, George Dockrell, Andy McBrine, Jacob Mulder, Tim Murtagh
OR
Ireland likely XI (if Kevin is ruled out): Ed Joyce, Paul Stirling, William Porterfield (c), Andrew Balbirnie, Niall O’Brien (wk), Gary Wilson, Stuart Thompson/George Dockrell, Andy McBrine, Tim Murtagh, Jacob Mulder, Peter Chase
