The third and final AFG vs IRE ODI will be played in Sharjah on March 12. The match concludes the ODI series with a three-match T20I series lined up. Rashid Khan is set to make his international return in the series.
Afghanistan won the first ODI by 35 runs after putting up 310/5 with the bat. They reached the score on the back of Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s sixth ODI ton. Ibrahim Zadran (60), Mohammad Nabi (42), and Hasmatullah Shahidi (50*) also contributed substantially to the total.
Ireland reached as far as 275 in the chase before getting bowled out. Harry Tector (134) and Lorcan Tucket (85) were the chief scorers. The rest of the batters were all dismissed in single digits. Fazalhaq Farooqi took four wickets in the match.
Team Analysis
Afghanistan
The team are still without Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Rashid Khan is all set to make a comeback in the T20I series against Afghanistan which is set to take place after the ODI series. This will be Rashi’d first international assignment since the ODI World Cup. For the final ODI, the likes of Gurbaz, Zadran, all-rounders Nabi and Omarzai, and left-arm pacer Farooqi are the key.
Ireland
Ireland‘s batters were below par in the first ODI. Their bowlers were expensive as well but the batting lineup with their experience should have chased down the total in the first ODI. The Afghan bowlers were on the money in the first ODI. The Irish team needs a better performance across all departments if they are to win the match and level the series.
Key Factors
Pitch Conditions
All the three ODIs are played in Sharjah. The venue will also host the three-match T20I series as well. Historically Sharjah has been a batting-friendly wicket with the wicket helping the spinners more than the seamers in the second innings. The ball comes onto the bat quickly on this pitch. However, the hot and humid conditions across venues in the UAE have always been an issue, especially in ODI games with the sapping heat creating problems for players.
Form and Fitness
Currently, Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are ruled out with injury concerns. While Rashid is recovering from his lower back surgery, Mujeeb is recovering from a right phalanx sprain. Rashid is set to return in the T20I series. There are no injury concerns in the Irish camp. However, their prime batters including the captain are badly out of form and need to regain their form in the final ODI.
Tactical Acumen
Nothing worked as a captain for Paul Stirling in the first ODI as his bowlers had no answers to the batting onslaught from Afghanistan. On the other hand, Hasmatullah Shahidi made all the right moves as captain and won the match for his side. Looking to avoid a series defeat, Stirling’s leadership will be rested in the third ODI.
Recent Venue Records (Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah)
STATS – ODI
Total matches 255
Matches won batting first 133
Matches won bowling first 120
Average 1st Inns scores 223
Average 2nd Inns scores 191
Highest total recorded 364/7 (50 Ov) by PAK vs NZ
Lowest total recorded 54/10 (26.3 Ov) by IND vs SL
Highest score chased 285/2 (47.5 Ov) by AUS vs PAK
Lowest score defended 138/9 (50 Ov) by PAKW vs SLW
Who Will Score Most Runs For Afghanistan: Rahmaullah Gurbaz / Ibrahim Zadran
Who Will Take Most Wickets For Afghanistan: Noor Ahmad / Fazalhaq Farooqi
Who Will Score Most Runs For Ireland: Paul Stirling / Harry Tector
Who Will Take Most Wickets For Ireland: George Dockrell / Mark Adair
AFG vs IRE Today Match Prediction- 3rd ODI, Who Will Win Today’s ODI Match? 12-03-2024
Afghanistan have won 16 out of the 31 ODIS against Afghanistan and in the current conditions and the form of their players look favorites to win the final ODI.
Conclusion
Since winning the one-off Test match, Ireland have found it tough in the conditions in UAE. They will have to win the final ODI to avoid a series defeat. The two teams then feature in a three-match T20I series also to be played in Sharjah
