Afghanistan vs Ireland 2nd T20 Match Prediction
Familiar opponents and a familiar situation in the series – Afghanistan will look to seal yet another T20 international series win with victory in the second game against Ireland. The match takes place at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground on March 8 and the live action gets underway at 14:00 local time.
Afghanistan won a rain-affected opener, hitting 133/5 from 15 overs in reply to 172/6 from 20. It was 11 runs above the DLS par score as they continued their return to winning ways in T20i cricket. Rashid Khan was the star man, taking 3-22 from four overs.
There were positives for Ireland, however – not least Paul Stirling’s 60 from 41 balls with the bat and Simi Singh’s 2-18 from three overs. While Afghanistan were on course for victory when the rain came, having recovered from 70/4, Ireland were still in with a chance had they been allowed to bowl on and potentially take more wickets.
Live streaming AFG vs IRE 2nd T20
Live TV: RTA Sports
Live streaming: rtasports.live
Toss Prediction
Greater Noida is a batting wicket, with runs in this pitch.
Weather Report
There will be no rain interruptions this time, with Greater Noida set to bask under clear, sunny skies on Sunday.
Pitch Condition
Ireland’s 172/6 was below par in the opening game, as this is a definite batting wicket with big scores common.
Read on for team previews, betting tips, latest odds and match prediction for Afghanistan vs Ireland, 2nd T20 Match 2020.
Afghanistan Team News & Playing 11
AFG Team News
Naveen-ul-Haq and Qais Ahmad were among the players who had to be patient last time out, but both could be given an opportunity in this game if Afghanistan choose to rotate their bowling options. Shapoor Zadran and Mujeeb Ur Rahman were both expensive with the ball, so they could be the two to make way.
AFG Key Players
Rashid Khan: The world’s top-ranked bowler in T20i cricket has been freed from the constraints of the captaincy and flourished last time out with 3-22, including the key wicket of Paul Stirling.
Hazratullah Zazai: Hit two fours and two sixes as he played his part in a rapid 50-run opening partnership, showing signs he could be returning to his big-hitting best.
Mohammad Nabi: In good form in franchise T20 cricket and top of the all-rounder rankings at international level, it is testament to Afghanistan’s strength that he only had a minimal role in the last win.
AFG Team Form
Afghanistan have now won their last three consecutive T20 internationals – two against the West Indies and now this one against Ireland. Rashid Khan was man of the match last time out, taking 3-22, though Najibullah Zadran’s 42* from 21 balls was ultimately the innings that won the game for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan Predicted Playing 11
Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Karim Janat, Asghar Afghan (c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Samiullah Shinwari, Rashid Khan, Gulbadin Naib, Naveen-ul-Haq, Qais Ahmad
Ireland Team News & Playing 11
IRE Team News
Lorcan Tucker kept wicket last time out, with Stephen Doheny having to wait for his first Ireland cap. Other players that will now be pushing for a recall include Shane Getkate, with giant seamer Boyd Rankin’s expensive bowling putting his place at risk.
IRE Key Players
Paul Stirling: Top-scored with 95 in Ireland’s last T20i win, against the West Indies, and hit 60 to top score in the opening game of this series too.
Kevin O’Brien: Smashed 35 from 17 balls at the top of the order last time out, as the Irish openers put on a 63-run partnership in the powerplay.
Simi Singh: Took 2-18 from his three overs last time out, transferring his recent good ODI form with his off-spin to T20i level.
IRE Team Form
Ireland drew their previous series with the West Indies, but they must win this second game of this one against Afghanistan if they are to keep it alive into the third match. Paul Stirling hit 60 last time out, and there were some useful batting contributions in a total of 172/6, while Simi Singh’s 2-18 had Ireland on top with the ball at one point, only for Afghanistan to recover to 133/5 from 15 overs when the rain came – a comfortable DLS-method win for the hosts.
Ireland Predicted Playing 11
Paul Stirling, Kevin O’Brien, Andrew Balbirnie (c), Gareth Delany, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Shane Getkate, George Dockrell, Simi Singh, Craig Young, Josh Little
Afghanistan vs Ireland Head to Head
Afghanistan made it 11 consecutive T20 international wins against Ireland with victory in the opening game of this series. They won all three in Dehradun when they last met, and opened this series in Greater Noida with victory too. Rashid Khan’s 3-22 was key in restricting Ireland to 172/6, and Afghanistan’s 133/5 from 15 overs was comfortable above the DLS par score.
AFG vs IRE Head to Head Stats
| Matches Played |
AFG Won |
IRE Won |
Tie |
No Result |
| 16 |
13 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
Afghanistan vs Ireland Betting Odds
After winning the opening game, Afghanistan’s odds on winning the second have reduced further. They are 1.30 to win with Bet365, whereas Ireland are as high as 3.50 to win. With Betway, Afghanistan are 1.28 to win and Ireland can be backed at 3.25 to win.
Hazratullah Zazai is 3.75 to be Afghanistan’s top team batsman, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz is 4.33 with Bet365 and Asghar Afghan is 5.50. After his middle-order flurry last time out, Najibullah Zadran can be backed at 7.00 with Bet365. Paul Stirling is 3.75 favourite to be Ireland’s top team batsman with Bet365, while Kevin O’Brien is 4.33 and Andrew Balbirnie can be backed at 4.50.
With the ball, Rashid Khan is now just 2.50 favourite with Bet365 to be Afghanistan’s top team bowler, while Craig Young is 4.50 for Ireland.
🏆 Afghanistan vs Ireland Prediction
Afghanistan opened the series with victory and are firm favourites to make it two from two given their stunning winning streak in the format against Ireland.
Mar 08, 2020
14:00 IST / 8:30 GMT
Greater Noida Sports Complex - Noida, India
AFG vs IRE T20 
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