Afghanistan vs Ireland 2021, 2nd ODI: Match Preview And Prediction

On Sunday (24th January), the second ODI will be played between Afghanistan and Ireland at Sheikh Zayed Stadium (Abu Dhabi). Currently, Afghanistan are leading this three-match ODI series (part of the 2020–23 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League) by 1-0 with two matches to go.

They played the opening game of this ODI series on last Thursday where Afghanistan won by 16 runs. While Afghanistan scored 287/9 (50 overs), Ireland replied with 271/9 (50 overs).

Afghanistan vs Ireland 2021, 2nd ODI: Match Preview

Afghanistan

Afghanistan restarted their international cricket journey with a close 16-run victory, which made their positive start in their journey in the 2020–23 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League.

Wicket-keeper batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz (127 off 127 balls) created a history in the last game by scoring a ODI debutant century, which was also the highest individual score for an ODI debutant wicket-keeper batsman. He had a 120-run opening partnership with Javed Ahmedi (38). Though other Afghanistan batsmen struggled in their international return, Rashid Khan (55 off 30 balls) scored a smashing half-century to secure the tough first innings total.

Though the Afghanistan bowlers started well, they faced tough challenges in the second half of the second innings. While Naveen-ul-Haq (3/68) got three wickets, Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2/40) and Rashid Khan (2/56) have bagged two wickets each.

Full Squad

Asghar Afghan (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Rahmat Shah, Naveen ul haq, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (vc), Yamin Ahmadzai, Usman Ghani, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib Sayed Ahmad Shirzad, Javed Ahmadi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sharafuddin Ashraf.

Ireland

In both the innings of the previous ODI, Ireland struggled in the first half, but returned to the game incredibly in the second half. However, ultimately, they were just few inches away to snatch the victory.

Andy McBrine single-handedly brought back the Irish team in the first innings by taking up all the first five wickets. He finished that innings with the bowling figures of 10-0-29-5.

Chasing down the challenging target, the Ireland team was losing wickets at regular intervals. Finally, with the strong help from the lower-order batsmen, wicket-keeper batsman Lorcan Tucker scored the fighting 83 runs off 96 balls.

While Ireland team has the tendency to improve their performances with the time progress, the cricket fans can expect a good comeback from them on Sunday.

Full Squad

Andrew Balbirnie (C), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, Kevin O’Brien, Neil Rock, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young, Shane Getkate.

Afghanistan vs Ireland 2021, 2nd ODI: Match Prediction

Due to leading this ODI series by 1-0, Afghanistan are one step ahead in this series. However, Ireland are not far away to return to this ODI series.