Ireland vs Afghanistan 2018, 2nd T20I, Bready - Match Preview

After a rain-curtailed game in the first T20I, its time for the second match between hosts Ireland and Afghanistan. The visitors drew the first blood when Hazratullah Zazai and the bowlers performed exceptionally on bygone Monday.

The hosts Ireland would look to make a comeback in the series while Afghanistan would like to seal it in the second game. Both the sides have got their resources to give an entertaining match at Bready on Wednesday night in the first T20I game.

Afghanistan likes to cash-in the momentum:

Afghanistan showed their dominance by performing in both the departments in the initial game. The opening batsman Hazratullah Zazai showed his skills by thrashing Ireland bowlers all over the park especially, during the powerplay overs.

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However, they would like to increase their stability in the middle order. Despite the heroics from the opener, none of the middle-order batsmen carried the onslaught for Afghanistan.

Mohammed Nabi, Shamiullah Shenwari and Najibullah Zadran failed to wield their willow in the first T20I. However, Afghanistan would love to see their senior players taking up the hitting roles in the game tonight.

Ireland looks to make a comeback:

Meanwhile, the hosts are eager to make a comeback in the series. There was a lot of expectations on the home side who showed a brilliant fightback against India. But all of them failed collectively in tackling Afghanistan.

Though they handled Rashid Khan brilliantly by smacking 35 runs, Ireland failed to save their wickets against him. Rashid Khan ended up picking three wickets while the rest of them grabbed a couple each.

However, senior players in the side Paul Stirling, Porterfield and Kevin O’Brien need to step up for the occasion to make a comeback in the series. All in all, a perfect game is at the store on Wednesday night at Bready.

Match Details:

Venue – Bready Cricket Club, Bready, Northern Ireland

Date and Time: August 22nd, 2018, 8:30 PM IST.

Weather forecast: The Cloudy evening is at the store. Showers are on the cards as well.

Possible XI:

Ireland – Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie, Simi Singh, Gary Wilson(w/c), Kevin O Brien, William Porterfield, Stuart Thompson, George Dockrell, Andy McBrine, Peter Chase, Joshua Little

Afghanistan – Asghar Afghan (c), Mohammad Nabi, Samiullah Shenwari, Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Aftab Alam, Najibullah Zadran, Fareed Ahmad, Usman Ghani, Rashid Khan, Hazratullah Zazai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Head to Head – In total, they have faced each other Eleven times. Afghanistan won eight and Ireland won three times.