Afghanistan vs Ireland 5th ODI Match Prediction

AFG Team News

Afghanistan responded to their defeat in the third ODI with four changes last time out, as they also took the chance to fine-tune their World Cup preparations. Mohammad Shahzad, Hasmatullah Shahidi, Samiullah Shinwari and Dawlat Zadran all made way, with Noor Ali Zadran, Ikram Ali Khil, Gulbadin Naib and Aftab Alam slotting in. Of the 21 players called up by Afghanistan, Zahir Khan is among those yet to be used.

AFG Key Players

Two of Afghanistan's star exports were key to their win in the fourth ODI as they starred with both bat and ball. Mohammad Nabi hit 64 and Rashid Khan 52 as they led a recovery from 131/7 to 223 all out. Nabi then claimed 1-18 and Khan 2-22 with the ball.

Both arrived on this tour fresh from the Big Bash League, with Nabi helping Melbourne Renegades to victory (though he left before the play-offs). His form in the T20s and ODIs against Ireland have proved his worth. Khan, meanwhile, has four wickets so far in this series, having claimed 11 in the three T20s on the back of his wicket-packed stint with Adelaide Strikers.

Also in good form on this tour is Hazratullah Zazai who stole more headlines when he smashed 162* in the second T20, and has since added 150 runs in the ODI series. Captain Asghar Afghan has hit 75 and 54 in his last two innings, meanwhile.

With the ball, Mujeeb Ur Rahman took 2-25 last time out and now has six wickets in the series, while Aftab Alam ripped through the Irish batting with 4-25 in his first game in the series last time out.

AFG Team Form

After securing a World Cup place by winning the qualifier in Zimbabwe, Afghanistan have been in encouraging ODI form. They have already beaten Ireland once since - claiming a 2-1 away win - while their most recent ODIs before this series were at the Asia Cup. On that occasion they reached the Super Fours and claimed a famous tie against India, courtesy of Mohammad Shahzad's 124 and 64 from Mohammad Nabi in a total of 252/8.

In this series, Mujeeb Ur Rahman took 3-14 as Afghanistan bowled Ireland out for 161 on their way to a five-wicket win first up, before rain curtailed the second match after Hazratullah Zazai had hit 67 in a total of 250/7 from 48.3 overs.

Najibullah Zadran's century counted for nothing in the third match, as Ireland claimed a four-wicket win, but Afghanistan hit back last time out - led by Aftab Alam's 4-25 as they dismissed Ireland for 114 in reply to 223.