IRE vs AFG 2026, IRE vs AFG 5th ODI Match Preview

Massive image: Can Afghanistan make it 4-0?

This was Eire’s first ODI collection in over 15 months. They did not shake off the rust and discover themselves 3-0 down heading into the ultimate recreation of the collection towards a buoyant Afghanistan facet. Enjoying below a brand new head coach, and increase in direction of the 2027 ODI World Cup – they’ll probably should play the Qualifier for entry into the competitors – it isn’t the perfect begin to their cycle, however they’ll wish to not less than bag a comfort win to take some confidence from the collection.

Though they misplaced the earlier recreation, they’ll really feel pleased that the batting unit put in a much-improved efficiency after being bundled out for 206 and 207 within the two video games earlier than that. Two of their skilled campaigners in Andy Balbirnie and Curtis Campher stood up of their chase of 344 and helped them get previous 300, and they’ll wish to construct on that displaying.

The likes of Paul Stirling and Harry Tector will even wish to put their fingers up and make important contributions after struggling by the collection, whereas Balbirnie will wish to keep it up his kind after a superb century within the final recreation.

Afghanistan, in the meantime, will really feel proud of robust all-round shows all through the tour and can wish to shut out the collection with a 4-0 sweep.

Latest kind

Eire LLLLW (final 5 accomplished ODIs, most up-to-date first)
Afghanistan WWWLL

Staff information

Eire are prone to go along with the identical XI because the final recreation.

Eire (possible): 1 Paul Stirling (capt), 2 Andrew Balbirnie, 3 Cade Carmichael, 4 Harry Tector, 5 Lorcan Tucker (wk), 6 Curtis Campher, 7 Ben Calitz, 8 Mark Adair, 9 Gavin Hoey, 10 Liam McCarthy, 11 Byron McDonough

Afghanistan introduced in Ziaur Rahman for Fazalhaq Farooqi within the final recreation, however may reverse that transfer after Ziaur conceded 0 for 71 from his 9 overs.

Afghanistan (possible): 1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 2 Ibrahim Zadran, 3 Sediqullah Atal, 4 Rahmat Shah (capt), 5 Hashmatullah Shahidi, 6 Darwish Rasooli, 7 Azmatullah Omarzai, 8 Rashid Khan, 9 Yamin Ahmadzai, 10 AM Ghazanfar, 11 Fazalhaq Farooqi

Within the highlight: Cade Carmichael and AM Ghazanfar

Eire have a set opening pair within the skilled Andy Balbirnie and captain Paul Stirling, in addition to a stable No. 4 in Harry Tector. However the No. 3 slot continues to be one which they’re making an attempt to nail down, and Cade Carmichael has put his hand up as a robust candidate. He made 62 off 66, whilst Eire collapsed for 208 in Bready after which made a cussed 32 whereas the batting collapsed round him once more in Belfast. The South Africa-born 24-year-old will now have one other likelihood in Belfast to placed on a giant rating and make his case stronger to change into a everlasting fixture within the Eire line-up.

AM Ghazanfar has been essentially the most economical bowler on this collection, and has picked up 4 wickets as effectively. With Noor Ahmad not fairly replicating his T20 kind within the 50-over format, and uncertainty over Mohammad Nabi, Afghanistan want a gun spinner to accomplice Rashid Khan to assist them management the center overs, and Ghazanfar on this collection has proven he could be simply that. With 28 wickets from 20 ODIs up to now, and an economic system charge of 4.54, the thriller spinner is quickly bettering his shares within the format and will frustrate Eire but once more in Belfast.

Pitch and situations

The common profitable first-innings rating during the last 5 ODIs in Belfast has been 272. And if the final recreation was something to go by, it may find yourself as one other high-scoring affair. Whereas it is anticipated to be a bit cloudy in Belfast, rain ought to keep away and we must always have a recreation.

Stats and trivia

Rashid wants three extra wickets to change into the primary bowler in ODIs to take 15 or extra wickets in a bilateral collection towards any opposition twice. He took 16 wickets at 13.37 in a five-match ODI collection towards Eire in 2016-17.
If Rashid does take three wickets, he will even change into the primary bowler in ODIs to take 15 or extra wickets in three bilateral collection. At the moment, he’s tied with Amit Mishra on two.
If George Dockrell performs, he’ll want simply 4 wickets to go previous Kevin O’Brien as Eire’s main wicket-taker within the format.

Abhimanyu Bose is a sub-editor at Cricinfo

Source link