AFG vs IRE 1st T20 Match Prediction & Betting Tips
After Afghanistan won the three-match ODI series 2-0, they go head to head once more with Ireland in the opening game of the three-match T20I series on Friday. Both teams won their last T20I fixtures, with Afghanistan beating Sri Lanka last month and Ireland defeating Zimbabwe in December. Read on as we preview this fixture. The game gets underway at 20:00 local time in Sharjah.
Afghanistan were too strong for Ireland in the two ODIs we saw earlier this month and we expect their dominance to continue in this shorter format. They won by 3 runs in their last T20I against Sri Lanka and we are backing them to come out on top in Sharjah.
Ireland lost their opening T20I in their last series against Zimbabwe but then went on to win the series 2-1. In Sharjah, they will be desperate to get off to a winning start but know they must improve from their showing in the ODIs. This could well be a tough opening game of the series.
Afghanistan vs Ireland 1st T20 Match Live Streaming
TV channels: RTA Sport has the broadcasting rights. In Ireland, the match can be watched on Premier Sports. There will not be TV broadcast for the series in India.
Live Streaming: You can live-stream the match on Fancode App and Website.
AFG vs IRE Match Toss Prediction
Although the last T20I here was won by the team fielding first, the previous three were all won by the team batting first. Our prediction is both captains will choose to bat first if they win the toss.
AFG vs IRE Pitch Report
This should be a good cricket surface which will offer some help for both batters and bowlers. A par score is likely to be no higher than 155.
Sharjah Weather Report
There is no danger of any rain throughout the scheduled hours of the game on Friday evening with the temperature around 24 degrees throughout.
Read on for team previews, betting tips, latest odds, and match prediction for Afghanistan vs Ireland 1st T20 2024
Afghanistan Team News & Playing 11
AFG Team News
The return of Rashid Khan will take the attention away from the majority of the other Afghanistan players who will all be delighted to have their captain and top bowler back in their XI. Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohmmad Nabi both come into this series in good T20I form. No players are carrying injuries.
AFG Key Players
- Ibrahim Zadran – The opening batter has already scored a half-century in a Test and an ODI against Afghanistan over the last few weeks and is a powerful batter.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz – The keeper-batter is one of the most exciting white ball batters in the Afghanistan line-up. He comes into this match with 3976 T20 runs to his name.
- Azmatullah Omarzai – The all-rounder has the ability to win a game single-handedly with either bat or ball. The 23 year old took a two-wicket haul in two of the T20Is against Sri Lanka last month.
- Rashid Khan – The 25 year old will return to playing top level cricket in this game and brings a strike-rate of 14.4 in T20I cricket.
AFG Team Form
Afghanistan ended a run without a victory in this format with a narrow win over Sri Lanka in the last game.
Afghanistan Predicted Playing 11
Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Ijaz Ahmad Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Nageyialia Kharote, Rashid Khan (c), Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad
Ireland Team News & Playing 11
IRE Team News
It was a heavy defeat for Ireland in the final ODI as they were beaten by 117 runs and there will be plenty of work going on by the team management to ensure they arrive for this series with a fresh approach. Ireland have all of their top players available for this T20I.
IRE Key Players
- Paul Stirling – The captain will open the innings and will no doubt bat in his usual aggressive manner. The right-hander has scored 3438 T20I runs.
- Harry Tector – The 24 year old right-hander has not only impressed on this tour but also hit an unbeaten half-century in his last T20I.
- Josh Little – The left-arm fast bowler took 2/21 in Ireland’s last T20I and will be keen to get into strong form ahead of this year’s IPL.
- Gareth Delany – With the pitch expected to turn in Sharjah, 26 year old legbreak googly bowler Delany will be keen to build on his figures of 2/8 in his last T20I.
IRE Team Form
Ireland come into this opening game of the series targeting their third successive T20I victory.
Ireland Predicted Playing 11
Paul Stirling (c), Andy Balbirnie, Ross Adair, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy
Afghanistan vs Ireland Head to Head
This will be the 25th scheduled T20I between the sides with the last completed game won by Ireland by 7 wickets with 2 balls remaining (DLS) in August 2022. Afghanistan lead the overall head to head 16-6.
AFG vs IRE Head to Head Stats in T20’s
| Matches Played | AFG Won | IRE Won | Tie | NR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 24 | 16 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| Last 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
Afghanistan vs Ireland Betting Odds
Afghanistan are favourites to win this opening game of the series and can be backed at 1.45. Ireland are the underdogs at 2.75.
Who will win Afghanistan vs Ireland 1st T20 Match?
There are two accomplished T20I sides with players who have performed well at international and franchise level. However, in Sharjah, and with Rashid Khan’s return, we have Afghanistan as the top side.
🏆 Afghanistan vs Ireland Prediction
Ireland will be keen to put in a stronger performance in this T20I series and will feel that they were slightly below their best in the ODIs. Afghanistan have an exciting mix of youth and experience which will only be improved by Rashid Khan returning to lead the team. There is a general feeling around international cricket that Ireland are a level or two below Afghanistan at the moment and we are predicting a win for Afghanistan.
