Ireland vs Afghanistan 2016, 4th ODI at Belfast, Predictions and Preview: Lead up for grab for both

With two more games to go, there is chance for both Ireland and Afghanistan now to go ahead and win the series.

After a rain-washed series-opener and a win each to both the teams, a high intensity game awaits the cricket-lovers as visitors Afghanistan take on Ireland in the fourth One-Day International (ODI) at Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast. Afghanistan won the first ODI by a margin of 39 runs while Ireland got back in the game with a victory in the second one. With two more games to go, there is chance for both the teams now to write their name on the series and the next game will be very crucial, looking at its importance. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: Ireland vs Afghanistan, 4th ODI at Belfast

Afghanistan, looking at the form they are carrying, were the favourites from the beginning of the series. The young team has gained a balance between their batting and bowling with talented players by the side. The batting consists of power-hitters like Mohammad Shahzad and Samiullah Shenwari, the side can any day give nightmares to the opponent bowlers. However, the team’s middle-order did not look to be in the form that it has the potential of. The most disappointing has been to see skipper Asghar Stanikzai not being able to score runs. The player seems to have not been able to get accustomed to the conditions in Europe yet and scored only 58 runs in the last four matches. Stanikzai, who is known to anchor the innings and stand there like a pillar, needs to find a way back to his good form in order to make his middle-order perform well.

Two batsmen, who have been very consistent for Afghanistan are Mohammad Shahzad at top and Najibullah Zadran in the lower-middle-order. The two batsmen have made sure Afghanistan put up a decent amount of runs on the board even when the entire batting line-up collapses. One department that has not let the team down is the bowling. Dawlat Zadran, after struggling for a long time with his form, has made an impressive comeback. The bowler has within a lot of talent and with him getting wickets regularly now, Afghanistan’s pace attack looks extremely strong. There is Mirwais Ashraf as well. Afghanistan have always bragged about a great spin attack, consisting of two most consistent bowlers Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan. With all of it, the Afghanistan team is ready to take on the hosts.

Ireland, after conceding a defeat, have shown great nerves to make a comeback and win the second. One of the biggest positives for the team is their new find Barry McCarthy. McCarthy, after his successful debut against Sri Lanka, carried his form into this series and bettered his performance with every passing day. With a 4-for after his name in the last match, the bowler will be on focus in the next match. Kevin O’Brien was the other one to get a 4-for and obviously will be relied upon looking at his experience. Apart from him, Tim Murtagh is another name who maintained a brilliant economy throughout the series and will be expected to continue that as well as get wickets. Peter Chase, who made his international debut with the series has also done a decent job and that makes the Ireland bowling complete. READ: Can Barry McCarthy change Ireland’s fortune?

The other players to watch out for will be skipper William Porterfield, Ed Joyce and Kevin O’Brien— the three names the Irish batting line-up is based up upon. While Porterfield took on the responsibility on his lone shoulders in the second ODI, it was the partnership between Ed Joyce and Kevin O’Brien that handed Ireland the victory in the next. Stuart Poynter needs to get back to form to ensure a good performance from the middle-order.

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

(Paulami Chakraborty, a singer, dancer, artist, and photographer, loves the madness of cricket and writes about the game. She can be followed on Twitter at @Polotwitts)

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