Published: Jul 12, 2016, 04:54 AM (IST)
Edited: Jul 12, 2016, 02:10 PM (IST)
Afghanistan continue on their tour of Europe where they next play Ireland after winning the two-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Scotland. After a frustrating rain abandoned the first match of the series without a ball being bowled, Ireland and Afghanistan will be sweating it out to take a lead in the five-match series 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 hope to win this and restore the faith of their fans. The series is all up for grabs for both the teams, who are usually tagged as minnows but have caused a few hiccups against some big teams in the past.
Talking about the visitors, they have been on a roll as time and again they have proved that they are here to stay. Afghanistan have won three ODI series on trot. They definitely want to compete with big teams and their playing style proves it. Visitors’ hunger for success has contributed to their recent success. They were phenomenal in the ICC World Twenty20 (T20I) where, giving 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: AFG’s hunger to learn shows they want to get rid of ‘minnows’ tag soon
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 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, who 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. His poor form will be a cause of worry for the Afghan camp.
In their bowling department, senior pro, Mohammad Nabi will spearhead the attack along with Rashid Khan along with Shapoor Zadran and Dawlat Zadran. The visitors certainly look a more settled and balanced side on paper with current form also being a confidence booster for them.
For Ireland, nothing went right in the series against Sri Lanka. Skipper, William Porterfield, Kevin O’ Brien, Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce and Stuart Poynter will like to take maximum responsibility with the willow and contribute for the team. Niall O’Brien is out of the series with a calf muscle injury while Boyd Rankin will miss the series due to his County commitments. A lot will depend on how Kevin O’Brien fares for the home side in this series. ALSO READ: Ireland announce ODI against WI and tri-series
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. . 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 should be expected, if rain gods do not spoil the game again. Both the teams have shown the world that they can compete well against established sides but need to be more consistent. This can be an evenly contested series. Current form gives a slight edge to Afghanistan though Ireland enjoy a better record against their opponents in ODIs, leading 3-1.
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)
