Afghanistan vs Ireland, 2nd ODI, Preview: Porterfield’s men search for answers to the Afghan spin-challenge

Afghanistan were clinical in the T20I series against Ireland and won 3-0 courtesy of some strong all-round performance. The team, captained by the dynamic Asghar Afghan, carried on with their momentum in the ODI series as well as it won the opening encounter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun by five wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

The home team clinched the ascendancy right from the word go. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, the teenage off-break bowler, effortlessly ran through the Irish top order and put Afghanistan in a position of command. Apart from the very experienced Paul Stirling, no other batsman could get the measure of the conditions as the visitors’ batting lineup crumbled like a pack of cards.

In the meantime, with the defeat, Ireland remained winless on the tour and don’t seem like getting the better of the opposition. The second ODI is scheduled to be played tomorrow in Dehradun itself and the visitors would again be in for a stern test. The pitch isn’t going to change much and Ireland would be looking to play the spinners out safely if not dictate terms to them.

Team Combination

Afghanistan

Despite the victory, Afghanistan may make a few changes. Shapoor Zadran may get a chance in place of Najibullah Zadran. Dawlat Zadran may be rested and Aftab Alam is likely to get an opportunity. The onus will be on the pair of Zazai and Shahzad to give the team a good start. Rahmat, Afghan, Shahidi and Nabi are the other batsmen. Nabi will also partner Mujeeb and Rashid in the spin department.

Probable XI

Mohammad Shahzad (WK), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan (C), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Shapoor Zadran, Aftab Alam/Dawlat Zadran

Ireland

The visitors may give an opportunity to Andy McBrine in place of James McCollum, who bagged a golden duck on debut. The team would also be looking up to Stirling for another strong show with the bat in hand. Andrew Balbirnie would also want to make amends. Tim Murtagh, Boyd Rankin and Barry McCarthy are the fast bowlers. Dockrell and Simi Singh are the spin bowling options along with Stirling.   

Probable XI

William Porterfield (C), Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie, Andy McBrine, Kevin O’Brien, Simi Singh, Stuart Poynter (WK), George Dockrell, Tim Murtagh, Barry McCarthy, Boyd Rankin.

Focus will be on

Rashid Khan- Afghanistan

The track helped the tweakers in the first game and spinners from both the teams reaped benefits out of the spin-friendly track. However, Rashid Khan, being one of the leading spinners in the world, could only pick up one lower-order wicket. He conceded only 30 runs, but the Irish batsmen played him out pretty comfortably. The tweaker would be hoping to have a greater impact in the next game.

William Porterfield- Ireland

The 34-year-old has played a number of match-winning knocks for his country, having scored 11 centuries in 123 matches. However, he couldn’t live up to the expectations in the series opener and was cleaned up by Mujeeb in the second over itself. The Londonderry-born would want to shed the disappointment and churn out a substantial knock under his belt.

Head to Head

Matches – 21 | Afghanistan won – 11 | Ireland won – 10

Stat Attack

196 – Rashid Khan needs only four wickets to complete the double century of his international wickets.

Broadcast Details

TV – DSport

Match Timings – 13:00 IST and local

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