Ireland and Afghanistan will square off against each other in the second ODI of the five-match series at the Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont in Belfast on Tuesday. The first ODI was washed out due to rain. Therefore, both Ireland and Afghanistan will want to make a winning start on Tuesday.
However, the rain threatens to disturb the proceedings of the second ODI as well in Belfast. The rain Gods did not even allow the toss to happen in the first ODI. But the weather prediction suggests that the fans might get to see at least a shortened match between Ireland and Afghanistan for the second one-dayer.
Ireland will have a slight advantage over Afghanistan, considering the home side have got the better of Afghanistan in three of their previous four matches.
Click here for the complete schedule of Ireland vs Afghanistan ODI series.
Afghanistan, though, will bank on Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Mohammad Shahzad and Najibullah Zadran, who have all been in good form in recent times. Shahzad, in particular, will have a crucial role to play in this series, after he impressed against Scotland a few days ago. It will not be that easy for Ireland to get past Afghanistan on Tuesday.
Afghanistan are not expected to make too many changes to the playing XI that played against Scotland recently, while Mark Adair, who was given a maiden callup by Ireland for this series, has pulled out because of a back injury, with George Dockrell coming into the squad.
Squads: Ireland: William Porterfield(C), John Anderson, Ed Joyce, Geroge Dockrell Peter Chase, Tyrone Kane, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O'Brien, Stuart Poynter(w), Paul Stirling, Sean Terry, Gary Wilson.
Afghanistan: Samiullah Shenwari, Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, Mirwais Ashraf, Gulbadin Naib, Dawlat Zadran, Mohammad Shahzad(w), Noor Ali Zadran, Javed Ahmadi, Asghar Stanikzai(C), Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Hamid Hassan, Shapoor Zadran, Amir Hamza, Yamin Ahmadzai.
Where to watch live:
The second ODI Ireland vs Afghanistan is scheduled to start from 10:45 a.m. local time (3:15 pm IST, 5:45 am EST) start. Unfortunately, there will be no live TV coverage of this match in India.
No channels will broadcast Ireland vs Afghanistan 1st ODI in UK as well.
Afghan TV will telecast the game live in Afghanistan. For the live streaming option click Afghan Play.
For live updates, go to Cricket Ireland's website.
