Published: Jul 09, 2016, 11:15 AM (IST)
Edited: Jul 09, 2016, 07:45 AM (IST)
Afghanistan continues on their tour of Europe where they next play Ireland. After beating Scotland in a two-match One-Day International (ODI) series, they will be upbeat to repeat the same performance against Ireland. The first match is slated to take place at Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast. This will be Ireland’s second home series after they hosted a short series against Sri Lanka. They will like to win this series and restore their faith on the fans again. The series is all up for grabs for both the teams who are usually tagged as minnows but have caused a few hiccups or upsets against some big teams.
Talking about the visitors, they have been on a roll as they have time and again proved that they are here to stay. They definitely want to compete with the big boys soon and their playing style proves it. Their hunger for success has contributed to their recent success. They were phenomenal in the ICC World Twenty20 (T20I) where they gave a run for the money to all big teams and defeated West Indies in the last match, which was the eventual champions’ only defeat. ALSO READ:Nabi’s 3-26 allows AFG to beat SCO by 78 runs in 2nd ODI
Mohammad Shehzad will again have the responsibility to bat along with others and compile quick runs for his side. His 84 in the last game versus Scotland proves that he is in good shape and form and will like to continue on the same road. Rahmat Shah has also been in good form with his hundred against Scotland in the first ODI. Others have to step up like Javed Ahmadi and Noor Ali Zadran will like to play a longer innings as they got starts but threw their wickets in the two encounters against Scotland. Captain, Asghar Stanikzai will like to get a big score under his belt after he lost the chance against Scotland. ALSO READ: AFG’s hunger to learn shows they want to get rid of ‘minnows’ tag soon
In their bowling department, senior pro, Mohammad Nabi will spearhead the attack after his match wining spell of 5-0-26-3 in the final ODI. Rashid Khan along with Shapoor Zadran and Dawlat Zadran got along with a few wickets in the only match were Afghanistan bowled. They would like to rip apart the Irish batting line-up in familiar conditions for the home team.
For Ireland, nothing went right in the series against Sri Lanka. Skipper, William Porterfield, Kevin O’ Brien, Paul Stirling and Ed Joyce and Stuart Poynter will like to take maximum responsibility with the willow and contribute for the team. Their main worry continues to be in the bowling. Every bowler went to the cleaners against the Lankan side and will like to restrict the Afghanistan side who likes to keep playing their shots. ALSO READ: Ireland announce ODI against WI and tri-series
Boyd Rankin had a good outing in the first ODI against Sri Lanka but he along with Tim Murtagh and Barry McCarthy were expensive. They would like to stick to their basics and make use of the conditions which may support the bowlers with some lateral movement at the start.
Previews and Predictions: An exciting encounter awaits between both the teams as they have shown the world that they can compete well against established sides but need to show their strength more consistently. This can be an evenly contested series. Current form gives a slight edge to Afghanistan.
Squads:
Ireland: Max Sorensen, John Anderson, William Porterfield(c), George Dockrell, Ed Joyce, Tim Murtagh, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien, Stuart Poynter, Boyd Rankin, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson (wk)
Afghanistan: Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Noor Ali Zadran, Javed Ahmadi, Asghar Stanikzai (c), Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Samiullah Shinwari, Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, Mirwais Ashraf, Gulbadin Naib, Dawlat Zadran, Hamid Hassan, Shapoor Zadran, Amir Hamza Hotak, Yamin Ahmadzai.
Time: 3:15 PM IST | 09:45 AM GMT
(Aditya Sahay is a journalist with CricketCountry who is completely into sports and loves writing about cricket in general. He can be followed on Twitter at adisahay7)
