Was there anything we didn’t witness in that 3-match T20I series between Afghanistan and Ireland? Low scoring game, high scoring games, highest individual score, highest T20I team score, good fielding, good batting, good bowling, a whitewash and all in all, a fantastic series of T20 cricket.
The 3-0 scoreline meant Afghanistan come into this ODI series brimming with confidence while I can’t say the same about Ireland, a team that is still recuperating after the beating they took in the last three games in Dehradun. However, we don’t expect such a one-sided ODI series, as Ireland have been around the 50-over format for much longer and Afghanistan will have more to do than just big hitting. Keep reading for our fantasy preview of the 1st ODI…
Match info
- Tournament: Afghanistan and Ireland in India, 2019
- Date: 28th February 2019, 1:00pm IST
- Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
- Series status: 1st ODI of the 5-match series.
Form (recent first)
- Afghanistan: T L L W W
- Ireland: L W L L W
Stats
- This will be the first ever ODI at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Dehradun.
- Rashid Khan is the highest wicket-taker here – 19 wickets in 6 T20Is.
- Hazratullah Zazai has 204 runs here, while Mohammad Nabi is the next highest with 181 runs.
- Afghanistan have played all 6 international games at this ground – they’ve won 6 of 6!
- Head to head in ODIs – Afghanistan 10-10 Ireland.
Afghanistan
For Hazratullah Zazai, his time was definitely coming. He was a part of a few T20 leagues around the world in the last 6-8 months and he proved himself everywhere. Will he be able to adjust to the 50-over format? If the T20s were anything to go by, we’re in for a high scoring contest as Afghanistan got 210+ in two of three games, while Ireland also scored 175+ in those games. He will be opening alongside Mohammad Shahzad and if these two decide to go berserk at the top, we could see some real fireworks in Dehradun.
Now with the ball, we have a lot of selection issues, with both of Mujeeb Rahman and Rashid Khan being magicians with the ball in hand, while they will be strengthened with the return of Shapoor Zadran and Dawlat Zadran. I’d pick Dawlat and Rashid, and may even give the latter the captain’s band for my fantasy team for the 1st ODI.
Ireland
Looking at the head-to-head record in ODIs between these two countries, a good cricketing contest is expected here. The biggest boost for Ireland is the return of William Porterfield as captain, which means a better and more reliable resource with the bat, while also being a better leading force.
Kevin O’Brien is a must-pick as he offers services with the bat and ball as well, and selecting him as a captain or vice captain isn’t a bad idea either, since he showed some really good form in the 3-match T20 series. With the ball, Tim Murtagh is a healthy addition to the ODI squad and he’ll be making my fantasy team as well.
AFG vs IRE Punting
Place bets at BEST ODDS in the 1st ODI
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— Read Scoops (@ReadScoops) February 28, 2019
My fantasy eleven
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