Afghanistan vs Ireland 1st T20I, Greater NOIDA: Preview, prediction, likely XIs

Starting March 5, Afghanistan and Ireland will play 3 T20Is at Greater NOIDA Sports Complex Ground. The teams, both of whom were granted Test status in 2018, have been involved in a relatively unheralded rivalry of sorts over the years.

Afghanistan had an excellent 2019, winning 7 and losing 3 of their T20Is. This included a 3-0 rout of Ireland, a shared title in Bangladesh (the final was washed out), and a 2-1 win against West Indies – still the world champions, lest we have forgotten. Ireland will be up against four world-class spinners – Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Qais Ahmed.

Ireland, on the other hand, have won 14 and lost 11 matches since 2019, including a 1-1 draw on West Indian soil and a tournament win in the Tri-Nation T20 Series, one that also included Scotland and Netherlands. An ankle injury will keep Mark Adair out of the tour, but other than that they have their full squad.

Despite that, Afghanistan’s spinners will give them a definitely advantage on the traditionally slow, low Greater NOIDA track.

Head to head

Afghanistan hold a 12-3 lead here including 6-0 on Indian soil. They have also won the last 10 completed matches between the sides.

Key players

Qais Ahmad (Afghanistan): Despite not having played a single limited-overs international, Qais had impressed in franchise T20 leagues in West Indies, England, and Australia last year. He may be the one Rashid Khan will leave his baton to.

Kevin O’Brien (Ireland): O’Brien has switched gears since he has been promoted at the top, for his uninhibited style is more at home in the Powerplay overs. He will be expected to get Ireland off to yet another quick start.

Likely XIs

Afghanistan: Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Karim Janat, Najibullah Zadran, Asghar Afghan (c), Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Qais Ahmad.

Ireland: Paul Stirling, Kevin O’Brien, Andy Balbirnie (c), Gareth Delany, Harry Tector, Gary Wilson (wk), George Dockrell, Simi Singh, Barry McCarthy, Craig Young, Josh Little.

Prediction

The Afghan spinners to bowl their side to a win.