Afg vs Ire Test

AFGHANISTAN VS IRELAND FIRST TEST 2019  DEHRADUN

Afghanistan vs Ireland T20 Series

The T20 series between Afghanistan and Ireland was a completely one sided affair. Afghanistan won the series 3-0. The Irish batsmen found it hard to encounter the spin attack of Afghanistan. Muhammed Nabi showcased his all round  skills with both ball and bat and was the player of series in T20. Hazratullah Zazai scored a 62 ball 162 to crush the Irish attack and Afghanistan scored a record breaking 278/3 in 20 overs. For Ireland, Stirling Kevin Oberine and Dockrell contributed with the bat. Dockrell showed that he was reliable with both bat and ball. 

Afghanistan vs Ireland ODI Series

After being  completely defeated in the T20 series, Ireland staged a strong comeback in the ODI series. The series was drawn 2-2. The Irish batsmen showed more maturity and application than in T20 series. Paul Stirling, Balbarine, Dockrell contributed to the Irish comeback. Stirling had scores of 89 and 70 among the 4 Innings. Balbarine scored a gritty 145 in the second ODI. Dockrell once again continued his form from T20 series and made some decent scores. 

For Afghanistan their Captain Ashgar Afghan scored the bulk of runs. He made scores of 75, 54 and 82 in the last 3 ODIs and seems to be in great form. He was retired hurt in the last ODI. Muhammed Nabi and Rashid Khan also seems to be in form with the ball as well as with the bat. Muhammed Nabi can rise to higher ranks among the all rounders. Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman failed to make some great impression with the ball and was dropped from the test squad. Aftab Alam picked 4 wickets in the fourth ODI to essay an Afghan victory.   

Afghanistan vs Ireland Test Series

After an eventful T20 and ODI series Afghanistan and Ireland move on to the domain of test cricket. Before this, both teams have played one test match each. Ireland played Pakistan in their home turf. In the lone test match, Ireland was defeated, but not before a great fight. In that test match, Ireland had even restricted Pakistan to 159/6. But Pakistan went on to make 310/9 in first innings. After a dismal first innings, Ireland made 339 in second innings, thanks to a great century  by Kevin Obrein. But Afghanistan eventually won the test match on the fifth day. Afghanistan played their only test match against India. They had nothing to boast about their performance as they were handed an Innings defeat. They could only make 109 and 103 in the two innings after India had scored 474 in their first Innings. Much was expected from the Afghanistan spinners but all went in vain. 

Ireland and Afghanistan meet each other in the first test match of the series and it is expected to be a battle between Afghanistan spinners and Irish batsmen. Muhammed Nabi, Ashgar Afghan, Rashid Khan will be the key players for Afghanistan. They have included two spinners Salamkheil and Zahir Khan in their squad after the duo had some great domestic performance. 

Ireland would rely on Porterfield, Balberine, Kevin Obrien for some turn around in their fortunes. Dockrell and Simi Singh are their frontline spinners. Boyd Rankin, Tim Murtagh are expected to lead the pace bowling attack. 

Team News:

Mujeb-Ur-rahman has been dropped from the Afghanistan squad and has included Zahir Khan and Salamkheil. 

Key Players:

Afghanistan:

Asghar Afghan

Muhammed Nabi

Rashid Khan

Mohammed Shahzad

Rahmat shah

Ireland:

William Porterfield

Kevin Obrein

George Dockrell

Boyd Rankin
Andrew Balbirine

The Dream Team

Mohammed Shahzad

William Porterfield

Rahmat shah

Andrew Balbirine

Kevin Obrein

Paul Stirling

Asghar Afghan

Boyd Rankin

Rashid Khan

Boyd Rankin

George Dockrell

Choice for Captain and Vice Captain

Paul Stirling

Rashid Khan

Andrew Balbirine

Asghar Afghan