Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey

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Rivals Afghanistan and Ireland go head-to-head in a crucial Group 1 clash, with a temporary spot in the top two up for grabs. Both teams know each other well, with the two nations contesting a competitive series in Ireland a couple of months ago, where the hosts prevailed 3-2 in a topsy-turvy series.

Unfortunately, the weather may be topsy-turvy again at the MCG. Rain is forecast for the afternoon in Melbourne, but the hope is that there will be enough of a breeze to allow for intervals of play and a result. If provided with the chance, Ireland will be seeking to build on their great victory against England, where their bowlers made inroads into the powerful English lineup. Also, Afghanistan also enjoyed some bowling success against Jos Buttler’s team, and they will be keen to take the field after their match against New Zealand was washed out.

AFG vs IRE Possible Playing XI

Afghanistan: 1. Hazratullah Zazai, 2. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 3. Ibrahim Zadran, 4. Usman Ghani, 5. Najibullah Zadran, 6. Mohammad Nabi (c), 7. Rashid Khan, 8. Azmatullah Omarzai, 9. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 10. Naveen-ul-Haq/Fareed Ahmad, 11. Fazalhaq Farooqi

Ireland: 1. Paul Stirling, 2. Andy Balbirnie (c), 3. Lorcan Tucker (wk), 4. Harry Tector, 5. George Dockrell, 6. Curtis Campher, 7. Gareth Delaney, 8. Fionn Hand, 9. Mark Adair, 10. Barry McCarthy, 11. Josh Little

AFG vs IRE Head-to-Head Stats & Key Players

Afghanistan:

• Najibullah Zadran played brilliantly against Ireland earlier this year. in five matches, he smashed 125 runs at a strike rate of 164.47. His battle with Josh Little could be interesting, given he has scored 48 off 29 against the seamer for two wickets.
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz struck 108 runs at a strike rate of 140.25 in the same series. In all T20s this year, Gurbaz has smashed 945 runs at an average of 28.63 and strike rate of 157.41.
• Ibrahim Zadran has made five consecutive 30+ scores in T20Is.
• Ireland played Rashid Khan well earlier this year. The legspinner took just three wickets in five matches at an economy of 7.52 and strike rate of 34.8. But, he still has the most wickets in IRE-AFG T20Is, with 37 in 18 matches at an average of 11.05 and economy of 6.39.
• Rashid has dismissed Lorcan Tucker five times in 46 balls in T20Is (52 runs). He also has good numbers against Balbirnie (four dismissals for 53 runs in 52 balls).
• Mujeeb Ur Rahman against Ireland: 12 inns, 18 wickets, avg. 16.83, econ. 7.21. He was excellent earlier in the year, taking total figures of 6/103 in 15 overs in the five-match series.
• Fazalhaq Farooqi is Afghanistan’s leading wicket-taker this year (18), with an economy of just 6.76. Nine of these wickets have come in the powerplay, where he is averaging 18.4 with an economy of 5.72.
• Farooqi will be key against Stirling. The Irish opener has struggled against left-arm seam in all T20s this year: 158 balls, 177 runs, 12 dismissals.

Ireland:

• Paul Stirling has the most runs in IRE-AFG T20Is (614) at an average of 27.91 and strike rate of 140.50. He will be keen to improve on a poor series against Afghanistan earlier this year: 5 inns, 71 runs, avg. 14.20, SR 114.51.
• Andy Balbirnie played a cracking knock against England (62), which was his second 30+ score in his last three games. Against Afghanistan, Balbirnie has scored 268 runs in 13 matches at an average of 20.62 and strike rate of 125.82.
• George Dockrell had a great series against Afghanistan earlier in 2022. He finished not out in all five matches, totalling 141 runs at a strike rate of 153.26.
• Dockrell has good numbers against Rashid Khan. He has scored 86 runs off 59 balls (SR 145.8), with two dismissals.
• Ireland could look to use Mark Adair against Najibullah Zadran. The seamer has dismissed the left-hander twice in 13 balls, conceding 23 in the process.
• Josh Little was outstanding on this ground against England (2/16). Ireland’s leading wicket-taker this year (34), took seven wickets in five matches against Afghanistan in August at a strike rate of 14.5.

Other Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 24, Afghanistan 16, Ireland 7, N/R 1.
• Hazratullah Zazai smashed 162* against Ireland in 2019.
• Mohammad Nabi has scored 424 runs vs Ireland (SR 173.77) and has 19 wickets to his name in 20 games.
• Lorcan Tucker scored the second-most runs for Ireland vs Afghanistan earlier this year: 5 inns, 126 runs, avg. 25.20, SR 124.75.

MCG Melbourne Pitch Report and Weather

The MCG surface has been conducive to wonderful cricket, with both batsmen and bowlers benefitting at different stages. The chasing team has won eight of the last ten T20 Internationals at the MCG. In the last 11 T20s (including Big Bash), the average first innings score is 168.27.

Rain is likely to play spoilsport. But, the hope is there will be enough play for a result.

AFG vs IRE Dream11 Prediction Today 28 October 2022

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article as well as your own instincts to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

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Fan2Play Prediction

Base Team:

• Wicket-Keepers: Rahmanullah Gurbaz
• Batsmen: Paul Stirling, Ibrahim Zadran
• All-Rounders: Mohammad Nabi, Curtis Campher
• Bowlers: Josh Little, Rashid Khan

T20 World Cup 2022 Match 25: AFG vs IRE Match Prediction – Who will win?

The weather is likely to dictate this result. Because of this, the chasing team is likelier to win.

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