The two newest additions to Test cricket, Afghanistan and Ireland will return to their T20I routes across a three-match series this month.
The series will act as preparation for the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year, when Ireland will be pressed to join the cricket betting favourites in the next round and Afghanistan will find it tough going in a group that also includes England, South Africa and India.
As much as Ireland and Afghanistan will be playing against each other here, they will also be testing themselves for their time in Australia.
The Irish have a poor T20I record against the Afghans and must overcome challenging sub-continental conditions to stave off the popular pick in cricket predictions for this series.
Afghanistan vs Ireland – T20I Schedule
Afghanistan and Ireland have previously met 15 times in T20I cricket – and will add another three occasions across five days in India this month. The last time they contested a three-T20I series in Greater Noida was in 2017, when Afghanistan whitewashed Ireland.
1st T20I: Friday, 6 March 2020
Venue: Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, Greater Noida, India
Start time: 14:00 (IST) and 8:30 (GMT)
2nd T20I: Sunday, 8 March 2020
Venue: Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, Greater Noida, India
Start time: 14:00 (IST) and 8:30 (GMT)
3rd T20I: Tuesday, 10 March 2020
Venue: Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, Greater Noida, India
Start time: 14:00 (IST) and 8:30 (GMT)
Afghanistan vs Ireland – T20I Squads
Fast bowler Shapoor Zadran has not played for Afghanistan since March 2019, but is back in the T20I squad. Leg-spinner Qais Ahmad, who played for the Hobart Hurricanes in the recent Big Bash League in Australia, and Azmatullah Omarzai are also in the squad. Ahmad will be a good complement to fellow leg-spinner Rashid Khan, who has been freed of the captaincy. Asghar Afghan, meanwhile, is back as full-time captain across all formats.
Ireland overlooked fast bowler Mark Adair due to injury, but have included all-rounder Shane Getkate. Stephen Doheny was a late replacement for the ill Gary Wilson. Kevin O’Brien, George Dockrell, Boyd Rankin and Paul Stirling are among an experienced core. Andy Balbirnie will continue to captain the team. Head coach Graham Ford will miss the tour after a “slip accident” in Dublin led to three broken ribs. Ryan Eagleson will assist acting head coach Rob Cassell.
Afghanistan vs Ireland – T20I Squads
Afghanistan |
Ireland |
Asghar Afghan (captain) |
Andrew Balbirnie (captain) |
Hazratullah Zazai |
Craig Young |
Karim Janat |
Stephen Doheny |
Usman Ghani |
Lorcan Tucker |
Samiullah Shinwari |
Harry Tector |
Azmatullah Omarzai |
Paul Stirling |
Qais Ahmad |
Simi Singh |
Mujeeb ur Rahman |
Boyd Rankin |
Shapoor Zadran |
Kevin O’Brien |
Naveen ul Haq |
Barry McCarthy |
Rashid Khan |
Josh Little |
Gulbadin Naib |
Shane Getkate |
Mohammad Nabi |
George Dockrell |
Najib Zadran |
Gareth Delany |
Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
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Afghanistan vs Ireland 2020 – T20I Series Preview, Latest Odds and Predictions
Afghanistan and Ireland are priced at 1.40 and 3.00, respectively by bet365 in the latest odds to win this series. Afghanistan are offered at 2.75 to whitewash the Irish three-nil. They did exactly that at the same ground, across the same number of fixtures, three years ago. For longer odds, Ireland are priced at 17.00 to turn the tables for an unlikely three-nil win of their own. At the very least, they might only lose two-one at 2.62 in the T20I series odds.
It’ll be interesting to see how meaningfully Zadran can contribute to Afghanistan’s cause on his international return. His selection has effectively put him in contention for a berth in the squad for the T20 World Cup, so there will be a lot riding on his performances in this series against Ireland.
The decision to return the captaincy to Asghar and return Khan to the rank and file raised some eyebrows. The choice might empower Khan to impress with bat and ball again, but what it must not do is limit Asghar’s primary role with the willow. Time will tell how this pans out and its affect on Afghanistan cricket betting markets.
Other free cricket betting tips should look forward to big performances from Stirling, O’Brien and Rankin. The trio have heaps of experience for Ireland now – and really need step up when required the most. O’Brien is a superb all-rouder, while Stirling will be a big asset at the top of the order. His part-time spin will play a part in slow conditions, too. Rankin is really going to have to put his back into it – and use some slower variations – to get the most out of the decks expected in India.
In the early T20 World Cup betting odds, Ireland are priced at 501.00 to take the title. Afghanistan are offered at 51.00 to take the title in Australia. Both long odds, indeed, but certainly worth a wager before the odds start shortening closer to the tournament.