Ireland vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI Prediction

IRE Team News

Lorcan Tucker, Tyrone Kane and Barry McCarthy were the three players to miss out in the first game of the series and, after victory, Ireland could stick with largely the same line-up. James McCollum’s place appears to be in the greatest danger – in four ODI innings, he is still yet to pass five. That could open the door for Tucker to return, though Gary Wilson will likely retain the gloves. If Tucker does come back, William Porterfield might return to the opening slot despite his good form down the order.

IRE Key Players

Paul Stirling’s excellent batting form continued in the first match of this series, as he hit a top score of 71 from 94 balls in Ireland’s total of 210. His last three ODI innings have been worth 77, 130 and 71 runs respectively.

That century, against Bangladesh in Dublin, was Stirling’s eighth of his ODI career and he now has 20 half-centuries too.

Andy Balbirnie fell short last time out, but he too has been in good form – not least with his unbeaten 145 during the last series with Afghanistan in Dehradun. More recently, he scored 135 against West Indies at Malahide and has four ODI centuries in total.

William Porterfield has scored 94 and 53 in his last two innings, meanwhile. Ireland’s top ODI run scorer has 11 centuries in the format in total, while those two most recent knocks means he has 17 half-centuries too.

Mark Adair was the main man with the ball in the first ODI, meanwhile. He claimed 4-19 from 6.4 overs – comfortably his best figures so far.

The more experienced duo of Tim Murtagh (2-12) and Boyd Rankin (3-40) were also in top form. Rankin also took five wickets in the two matches he played in the Tri-Nation Series and he now has 100 in his ODI career, from 69 matches.

IRE Team Form

Ireland made their mark at the Tri-Nation Series, posting scores of 327/5 and 292/8 in their final two games, but they failed to defend either as they suffered three defeats in their three completed games.

They also lost to England beforehand, after being bowled out for 198 – eventually losing by four wickets after giving their world’s number one ODI team a brief scare early in the chase.

Ireland’s win in the first game of this series, therefore, was their first since they beat Afghanistan in Dehradun – chasing 217 to win the final game by five wickets and tie the series.