Ireland vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

A 99-run stand between Paul Stirling and William Porterfield, followed by some incisive fast bowling from Tim Murtagh, Mark Adair, and Boyd Rankin, had helped Ireland beat Afghanistan in the first ODI of the 2-match series at Belfast. The teams will now meet again, on May 21.

Head to head

Ireland hold a marginal lead here, having won 13 and lost 12. They also hold a 5-4 lead at home following Sunday’s win.

Key players

Mark Adair (Ireland): After having a tough time in the Tri-Series, Adair finally showed what the hype has been about when he picked up 4/19 to rout Afghanistan in the first ODI. Genuinely quick, Adair can move the ball around without compromising on pace. He is also a reasonably prolific six-hitter.

Dawlat Zadran (Afghanistan): The new ball did quite a bit at Belfast, and who better to take advantage of that than Dawlat, the finest seamer in Afghanistan history? Like Adair, Dawlat can move the ball without compromising on pace, and it had taken some outstanding batting by Stirling and Porterfield to see him through in the first ODI.

Likely XIs

Ireland: Paul Stirling, James McCollum, Andy Balbirnie, William Porterfield (c), Kevin O’Brien, Gary Wilson (wk), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Andy McBrine, Tim Murtagh, Boyd Rankin.

Afghanistan: Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib (c), Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Prediction

Afghanistan to win and travel to England on a high.