Ireland vs Afghanistan – 1st One-Day International Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Ireland vs Afghanistan taking place? Sunday 19th May, 10:45
Where is Ireland vs Afghanistan taking place? Belfast
What is the expected weather for Ireland vs Afghanistan? Rain could have a big impact on this fixture with showers expected throughout the day in temperatures between 13-14c
What channel is Ireland vs Afghanistan on? This match will not be televised live in the UK
Where can I stream Ireland vs Afghanistan? This match cannot be streamed live in the UK
Where can I get tickets for Ireland vs Afghanistan? https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/cricket-ireland-tickets/artist/40832
LAST MEETING
Ireland beat Afghanistan by 5 wickets
THE TEAM NEWS
IRELAND
Captain: William Porterfield
- Ireland will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing Tri-Nations campaign against Bangladesh and West Indies in which they failed to pick up a single win from the three games that could actually be played.
- For this two-match series, the Irish have gone with a familiar line-up with them making just one change to the squad that they named for the Tri-Nations series as they hand out a maiden ODI call to pace bowler Tyrone Kane.
- Kane replaces 19-year-old Josh Little who will be rested after he produced an impressive debut against England at the start of the month as he took four wickets in that game but suffered a minor stress fracture in the Tri-Nations series.
AFGHANISTAN
Captain: Gulbadin Naib
- Afghanistan will ramp up their World Cup preparations with a two-match ODI series against Ireland as they look to kick-on following their narrow victory over Scotland in their last fixture.
- The Afghans won a rain-affected game in Edinburgh by two runs under the D/L method with Rahmat Shah the key man as he hit a superb century, ending with 113 runs from 115 balls which included 11 fours and two sixes.
- Afghanistan are expected to field an experimental side over these two matches as they look to nail their starting XI ahead of the World Cup with this presenting a great chance for the entire squad to force their way into the side.
THE PREDICTION
Ireland will be hoping to put a dent in Afghanistan’s World Cup preparations as they look to overcome their own woes following the Tri-Nations series with Bangladesh and West Indies in which they failed to win a game. Ireland have been batting well recently but have struggled with the ball and that will be an area they look to improve on in these two matches. Afghanistan will rotate their squad as they look to offer chances for players to break into the team for the World Cup and that incentive will be enough to give the Afghans the spark needed to claim the win.
