Ireland host Afghanistan in the three-match ODI series starting on Monday, August 27, 2018. The first ODI will be played at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast.
Live updates:
Stay tuned for the toss news.
The match is scheduled to start at 9:45 AM GMT, 1:45 PM AFT.
Afghanistan's tour of Ireland 2018, started with the three-match T20I series, in which the visitors thrashed the hosts 2-0. As the ODI leg unfolds, both the sides would look to challenge each other in the best way possible, as the sides have previously produced some memorable matches in the past.
Ireland is at the 12th position in the world ODI rankings, while Afghanistan is at the 10th position on the same table.
The first T20I between Afghanistan and Ireland will start today at 7:30 PM (AFT). The match will be televised live by OSN(Middle East), Fox Sports (Australia), Sky NZ, Supersport (South Africa)and Sony Network (India and Subcontinent)#AFGvIRE #1stT20I pic.twitter.com/L0FXZoDaA0
— Afghan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) August 20, 2018
TV telecast and live streaming info:
- India & Subcontinent: Sony Six, Sony Six HD, SonyLiv, Cricketgateway
- UK: BBC, Cricketgateway
- Australia: Fox Sports
- South Africa: SuperSport
- Ireland: BBC Sport NI, live stream on Cricketgateway.com
- New Zealand: SKY Sport NZ
The live streaming will be available on Sony Liv.
T20I🏆: 🇦🇫
— Afghan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) August 24, 2018
ODI 🏆: 🇦🇫 or 🇮🇪??#AFGvIRE pic.twitter.com/XPkL16jpOI
Ireland seek turnaround
Though the conditions are in favor of them, Ireland has looked inadequate in terms of skill, so far on this tour. The pressure will be right back on them after the T20I series loss.
The Irish one-day side has not had a year to be proud of after they failed to qualify for the World Cup 2019.
Under the leadership of William Porterfield, the Irish team is going through a lean patch and would eye this series to make a comeback of some sort. Their strength lies with their batting, as it has experience of delivering in these conditions.
Can Ireland forget about the T20I series and change their fortune in the ODIs? 🇮🇪🇦🇫The first game in the three-match series commences on Monday 27 August. #IREvAFG
— ICC (@ICC) August 26, 2018
Preview 👇https://t.co/8h00Mepdhd pic.twitter.com/CnGORyeMLE
Afghanistan bank on their spinners
It seems like the Afghanistan side is improving every day taking long strides on its way.
The Asian team would be mentally boosted after winning the T20I series. The ODI series in Ireland would help the Afghani team to prepare for the World Cup next year which will be held in the United Kingdom.
The team management will take this opportunity and try to find the appropriate XI for the World Cup as well as the Asia Cup next month. Once again, their strength lies with the group of all-rounders along with their spin attack. It is unfair to state, but the tourists look a better side on paper.
WATCH: Ireland's ODI Captain @purdy34 speaks to the media ahead of the one-day series with Afghanistan: https://t.co/0VlJN0BG4z #BackingGreen pic.twitter.com/oCeZfruXMm
— Cricket Ireland (@Irelandcricket) August 26, 2018
There is a little that can be predicted about the pitch in Belfast.
The conditions must help the seamers early on with the new ball, but batting will not be all difficult if the batsmen apply themselves properly.
Rain is expected early in the morning, but it is likely to stay away as the day progresses. There might be a delayed start but the match might not get affected that much.
Read: Highlights: Afghanistan beat Ireland by 16 runs in 1st T20, Rashid Khan shines again
Also read: AFG vs IRE 3rd T20 live cricket streaming, highlights on BBC at 8 PM IST on Friday