T20 World Cup 2022: Afghanistan vs Ireland Match Preview, Playing XI, Head to Head, Where to Watch on TV, & Live Streaming Details for T20 WC

Ireland would be hoping to register back-to-back wins when they face Ireland in the ICC T20 World Cup Super 12 clash at the MCG.

Published - 27 Oct 2022, 21:00 IST | Updated - 27 Oct 2022, 12:42 IST

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Afghanistan will be taking on a spirited Ireland in their ICC T20 World Cup 2022 encounter at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, October 28. The Afghans went down fighting to England in their first game by five wickets and were very lucky to earn that one crucial point against an in-form New Zealand as their match at the MCG was forced to be abandoned due to rain.

The Mohammad Nabi-led side now need a win and those two points in the bag in order to keep their tournament hopes alive with Group 1 wide open as all the partipating teams have opened their account in the points tally. They would be hoping to challenge with the aim of registering their first win of the competition.

However, it is not as easy as it looks. While Afghans could arguably be the stronger side on paper, they would be up against an Irish unit who would be heading into this contest oozing with confidence, having stunned the England in their previous fixture.

Ireland's batting and bowling seems to be clicking at the right time and that is what Afghanistan must be cautious about. A win here for Ireland would be the much-needed morale-booster for them as they will find themeselves in the top two position in Group 1.

Pitch Conditions

Rain is expected to play a spoilsport in this contest as well and according to reports, the commencement of the contest might be delayed. While batting first and posting a competitive total on the board could be a good move, the captain winning the toss would bowl first taking the inclement weather conditions into consideration.

Playing Combinations for AFG vs IRE

Afghanistan

Afghanistan would be expecting their dynamic duo of Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi to come out firing all cylinders since they have a vast experience of playing franchise T20 cricket on Australian soil. They are expected to field the same team.

Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Usman Ghani, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi (C), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fareed Ahmad Malik/Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Ireland

Ireland would also like to the field the winning combination in search of back-to-back wins in this competitive Super 12 group.

Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie (C), Lorcan Tucker (wk), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Fionn Hand, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little.