Last Updated on 5 months by Charbel Coorey

Afghanistan vs Ireland 3rd T20I Preview Dream11. AFG vs IRE 3rd T20 Preview Dream11 Prediction

Chance to catch your breath? Not quite.

We go at it again.

It was one of the most remarkable T20 matches you will ever see on Saturday. Hazratullah Zazai made an individual score of 162 that Afghanistan might have settled for as a team score, which completely outshone a still-excellent 73 off 48 balls by Usman Ghani. Instead, they settled for a world-record 278, another episode in the Afghanistan show we are growing to love more and more. Amid the carnage, Rashid Khan picked up a brilliant 4/25 en route to another Afghan T20I series win, in the process picking up nine straight match wins in the format. Will they cause further pain for Ireland and sweep the series?

It’s not often you score 194/6 and lose by a mammoth 84 runs. It’s also not often you have a player score 91 off 50 balls, and not get much of a mention. That was reality for Ireland on a tough night in the second T20I, victim of the highest ever score in T20I history. Their bowlers, efficient in the first T20I, were bludgeoned all over Dehadrun, and have to somehow find the will to bounce back the day after. Will they bounce back or be affected by a cricket-style hangover?

Key to an Afghanistan win

Afghanistan’s top order left plenty to be desired in the first T20I, but responded in incredible fashion two nights later. Mohammad Nabi needed to be the hero first up, but was then barely needed as Hazratullah Zazai and Usman Ghani put together a world-record partnership of 236. Could you imagine what would go through Paul Stirling and Ireland’s minds if the Afghans fire in the powerplay again? The key for Afghanistan would be elicit further doubts in the Irish minds, pushing them on the defensive right away. Can Hazratullah Zazai play another whirlwind knock against a team he loves? How well will Usman Ghani follow up? With the likes of Shafiqullah and Mohammad Nabi to follow, Afghanistan possess hitting power to follow up a strong start. Will it be another strong showing in the quest for 10 straight T20I wins?

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However, Afghanistan have questions to answer regarding the make up of their seam attack. Sure, bowling to a side that has nothing to lose and is swinging for the hills is not easy, but Asghar Afghan will be keen for greater control. Paul Stirling played a superb knock in a losing cause yesterday, and Afghanistan will need to see the back of he and the dangerous Kevin O’Brien early. If Afghanistan, through key men Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb ur Rahman, can work their way to the Irish middle order before the excellent Rashid Khan comes on, a strong total could very well elude Ireland.

Key to an Ireland win

You know it’s a tough night when Boyd Rankin’s economy rate of 8.75 was by far the best for Ireland. Whether Ireland bowled wide or straight, they seemed to be taken to the cleaners, which made their lack of yorkers a disappointing aspect of their bowling effort. How well they respond after such a tough night out is a test of character, and how they fare in the powerplay overs will be key as to whether they indeed recover. With their bowling attack possibly to get a makeover, can they break the dangerous Afghanistan opening partnership early? Will they take their chances better when given the opportunity? With a dangerous top order crucial to a big Afghanistan total, Ireland need a strong powerplay to get into the game.

Also, while they suffered a big defeat, Ireland would be pleased with their batting effort. A total of 194 is certainly respectable, which they can look to build on today. To do that, Paul Stirling’s contribution will again be crucial. His mix of beautiful offside shots and bludgeoning leg side hitting is something the Irish will be keen to see again, along with Kevin O’Brien who we all know can be damaging. These two need to set a strong platform for the middle order to build on, which will enable the Irish to take even five or six an over off Rashid Khan and pounce elsewhere.

Possible Playing 11

One area of change for Afghanistan might be in the seam department. Fareed Ahmed has been expensive two games in a row, and could be replaced by Zahir Khan. P.S. I’ll have a boast… my probable top order from the first T20I is the team Afghanistan went with in the second match, and dominated!

Afghanistan: 1. Hazratullah Zazai, 2. Usman Ghani, 3. Shafiqullah (wk), 4. Asghar Afghan (c), 5. Mohammad Nabi, 6. Najibullah Zadran, 7. Samiullah Shenwari, 8. Karim Janat, 9. Rashid Khan, 10. Mujeeb ur Rahman, 11. Zahir Khan

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Ireland could look to make a change or two after a nightmare in the field yesterday.

Ireland: 1. Paul Stirling (c), 2. Kevin O’Brien, 3. Andy Balbirnie, 4. Lorcan Tucker, 5. Shane Getkate, 6. George Dockrell, 7. Simi Singh, 8. Stuart Poynter (wk), 9. Andy McBrine/Peter Chase, 10. Josh Little, 11. Boyd Rankin

Dream11 Prediction

With Dream11 now changing its deadline time to official match time, the following teams can be edited upon official team announcements. Your thoughts on the change?

Option 1:

Option 2:

Stats and Facts

• Afghanistan have won nine T20Is in a row, and also nine a row vs Ireland.
• Afghanistan’s score of 278/3 was the highest ever score in T20Is.
• Hazratullah Zazai’s 162* was the second highest score in T20I history, behind Aaron Finch’s 172* vs Zimbabwe.
• Yesterday’s total match aggregate of 472 was the third highest in T20Is.
• Ireland achieved their highest T20I partnership (126) in the last match. Also, Paul Stirling’s 91 was their highest individual score.

Match Prediction

We could be in for another run fest.

At the moment, Afghanistan have Ireland’s measure. I will predict another Afghanistan win to take the series 3-0.

Thanks for reading!