Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey

Ireland vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI Preview Dream11. IRE vs AFG 2nd ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction

Well, what was that?

Ireland, after an underwhelming Tri-Nations campaign against Bangladesh and West Indies, bounced back in emphatic fashion to thump Afghanistan in the first ODI. The bowlers found some joy after taking just 12 wickets in their previous three games, whereas the batsmen have some room for improvement. The winning feeling is something the Irish need to continue striving for, and they have a great opportunity today. Can they seal the series 2-0?

The Afghanistan team can claim all they want that the change of captaincy is not impacting them. However, talk is just talk. They need to display this on the field, and their first up performance was not particularly encouraging with a World Cup beginning in a little over a week. Indeed, their rise has been incredible, but now is the time to show that fighting spirit that has got them to a second World Cup. Can they bounce back to level the series?

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Key to an Ireland win

Mark Adair had his best outing in an Ireland shirt, supporting the good work of Tim Murtagh, Andy McBrine and Boyd Rankin. The Irish worked as a unit last time out, and the same template for victory applies here, effectively targeting an Afghanistan batting lineup looking to gain more expertise and experience in these conditions. Early wickets, such as those of Rahmat Shah and Mohammad Shahzad, will be key again. Then, the spinners and medium pacers can then look to build pressure against Afghanistan’s talented middle order throughout the innings.

Also, Paul Stirling has hit fine form. Three successive fifties has meant that Ireland have had a platform to play off each time. However, Ireland need a more cohesive batting effort. Against West Indies, it was Andy Balbirnie who fired beautifully to get Ireland over 300. In the last two games against Bangladesh and Afghanistan, it has been skipper William Porterfield providing the support. Can Ireland’s entire top four this time set a strong platform to then handle Afghanistan’s spinners effectively? Seamers Dawlat Zadran and Aftab Alam took three wickets each in the first ODI, so this is also an area for Ireland to improve on.

Key to an Afghanistan win

Restricting any team to 210 is a decent outing. However, scoring 138 is never a good one. Afghanistan were on the back foot as soon as they lost a flurry of early wickets in the first ODI, which is something they must improve on today. The likes of Mohammad Shahzad and Rahmat Shah will be crucial in allowing Hazratullah Zazai to play with freedom, which can give Afghanistan a strong start. Indeed, how they handle seam early on will be vital to a good total, giving the likes of Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi and Mohammad Nabi a platform to play off.

Also, can Afghanistan repeat their big effort with the ball? Eight of Ireland’s 10 wickets fell to seam in the first ODI, which again showed that Afghanistan has a capable seam attack. More of the same is required here, paving the way for Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi to build pressure. You get the feeling if Afghanistan can get the better of at least two of Paul Stirling, Andy Balbirnie and William Porterfield, they can get right into Ireland’s batting lineup.

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Possible Playing 11

Ireland: 1. Paul Stirling, 2. James McCollum/Lorcan Tucker, 3. Andy Balbirnie, 4. William Porterfield (c), 5. Kevin O’Brien, 6. Gary Wilson (wk), 7. Mark Adair, 8. George Dockrell, 9. Andy McBrine, 10. Boyd Rankin, 11. Tim Murtagh

Afghanistan: 1. Mohammad Shahzad (wk), 2. Hazratullah Zazai, 3. Rahmat Shah, 4. Asghar Afghan, 5. Hashmatullah Shahidi, 6. Mohammad Nabi, 7. Gulbadin Naib (c), 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Aftab Alam, 10. Mujeeb ur Rahman, 11. Dawlat Zadran

Dream11 Prediction

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Option 1:

Option 2:

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Stats and Facts

• Ireland have won their last two ODIs against Afghanistan.
• Afghanistan have not lost a bilateral ODI series since losing 2-1 to Ireland in December 2017.
• The opposite applies for Ireland, who have not won a bilateral ODI series since the 2-1 success.

Match Prediction

The first ODI was a big disappointment for Afghanistan. Ireland were honest as always, but the Afghans will be out for a better performance.

I think they will play well, bounce back and win.

Thanks for reading!

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