Ireland vs Afghanistan 2018, 3rd ODI: Belfast - Match Preview

After the scintillating performances in the low-scoring 1st and 2nd ODI games, its time for the series decider tonight. Dangerous-Afghanistan is locking their horns against the hosts, Ireland at Belfast on Friday (August 31st) to declare the series winner of the ODI series.

With Afghanistan and Ireland bagging each point in their kitty, currently, the series is in a stalemate. As there is everything to win at Belfast on Friday night, both the teams would come up firing all their blazing guns.

Ireland looks to carry on the momentum –

The positive that the hosts have got to move their feet towards 3rd ODI would probably be the momentum. They outsmarted Afghanistan in the low-scoring clash on the other day. Thankfully, their seniors came to the party.

However, Ireland would still concern about their batting lineup. It looked tough for Irish men in tackling Afghanistan spinners on Belfast track. Especially, Nabi, Rashid and Mujeeb are making the feast of the conditions.

Afghanistan’s batting vows continue:

The visitors have once again troubled because of their inconsistency in the batting department. Despite having the solid personalities in the bowling section, it was their batting that is letting their heads down at crucial stages.

Apart from Rahmat Shah, none of the Afghanistan batsmen has shown their skills with their willow. To bag the series, their batsmen need to deliver the goods as quickly as possible.

Head to Head:

In total, they have clashed each other 21 times. Ireland won ten while Afghanistan tasted success in nine games. The rest two games got abandoned due to rain.

Match Details:

Date & Time – August 31st, 2018; 03:15 IST.

Venue – Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast.

Weather Forecast – The weatherman, suggested clouds on the match time partly. However, no rain threat.

Ireland vs Afghanistan, 3rd ODI: Belfast – Match Preview

Squads:

Ireland: Paul Stirling, William Porterfield(c), Andrew Balbirnie, Niall O Brien(w), Kevin O Brien, James Shannon, Gary Wilson, Simi Singh, George Dockrell, Peter Chase, Andy McBrine, Boyd Rankin, Tim Murtagh, David Delany

Afghanistan: Mohammad Shahzad(w), Javed Ahmadi, Rahmat Shah, Samiullah Shenwari, Asghar Afghan(c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Gulbadin Naib, Aftab Alam, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Dawlat Zadran, Sayed Shirzad, Ihsanullah Janat, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Wafadar