Afghanistan vs Ireland, only Test preview, likely XIs: history awaits Test cricket’s newest members

At Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Dehradun, not far from where the last two India vs Australia ODIs were played or the some of the IPL venues, Afghanistan and Ireland will clash for what is the second ever Test for both countries, starting March 19.

Test cricket’s newest members debuted last year. Ireland played first, in May, against Pakistan at Dublin. They followed on, avoided the innings defeat, set a target of 160, and reduced Pakistan to 14/3 before losing by 5 wickets.

Kevin O’Brien scored their first century (118), Tim Murtagh took 6/100 in the Test, and Stuart Thompson scored 53 and took 4/93.

Afghanistan were annihilated on their debut, against India at Bengaluru a month after this. Shikhar Dhawan scored a hundred before lunch on Day One. and India scored 474 in four sessions. Then Afghanistan folded for 109 and 103 in two sessions, losing the match inside two days.

There is little doubt that Ireland have had a better start to their Test stint, but this is Dehradun, Afghanistan’s comfort zone. They had whitewashed Bangladesh 3-0 here last year and Ireland 3-0 last month. Then came the ODIs, where they led 1-0 and then 2-1, only for Ireland to come from behind and level the series.

All three Afghan spinners – Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman – have thrived here. Afghanistan have now added Chinaman bowler Zahir Khan to the mix, which is probably an indication of how the pitch may play.

While that is true, both Boyd Rankin and Shapoor Zadran have bowled well here, and there have been some big scores as well. Expect a pitch with something for everyone.

Head to head

This is the first Test between the sides. While Afghanistan hold a 12-3 advantage in T20Is, the sides are evenly matched (12-12) in ODIs including 2-2 in the recent ODI series at the same venue. Expect a hard-fought even contest.

Venue details

This is the first Test at the ground. As mentioned above, Afghanistan hold an 8-2 record here in all cricket, 2-2 in ODIs and 6-0 in T20Is.

The only First-Class matches at the ground were 5 matches of the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy. Of these, Uttarakhand won 4 – one inside two days, two more in three days. The match may not outlast four days.

Players to watch

Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan): Hold the fort and absorb pressure? Nabi. Accelerate to put pressure on the opposition? Nabi. Hold one end up as Rashid attacks at the other end? Nabi. Break threatening partnerships? Nabi. Afghanistan’s man for all seasons will be their key player in the Test as well.

Kevin O’Brien (Ireland): He rarely bowls anymore, but O’Brien is a batsman good enough to change the course of matches with bat. He also has a tendency to rise to occasions, as he showed in the 2011 World Cup match against England or in Ireland’s first Test.

Likely XIs:

Afghanistan: Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Javed Ahmadi, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan (c), Mohammad Nabi, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ikram Ali Khil, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Zahir Khan, Wafadar Momand.

Ireland: William Porterfield (c), Paul Stirling, Andy Balbirnie, Kevin O’Brien, James McCollum, Stuart Poynter (wk), Stuart Thompson, George Dockrell, James Cameron-Dow, Boyd Rankin, Tim Murtagh.

Prediction:

Spinners will provide Afghanistan a slight edge.