Afghanistan is all set to host its debut home test against Ireland in India, beginning from March 15, 2019. It has been a great contest between the two sides up till now as both teams will square up in the first and only test at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium. Earlier, Afghanistan whitewashed Ireland 3-0 in the T-20 series followed by a 2-2 draw in the ODI series.
After losing three consecutive T-20s, Ireland led a fantastic comeback to level the ODI series 2-2, as it will be interesting to see if they restrict Afghanistan from winning their debut test at home or will the Afghans emerge victorious at the end. As of now, let’s talk about some of the key players for the first and only test, to be held in Uttarakhand.
Key Players
Afghanistan
All-rounder Rashid Khan has been a pivotal part in the side and so is Mohammad Nabi. Apart from the two all-rounders, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Shahzad, and skipper Asghar Aghan are other prominent members in the side.
Ireland
Ireland, on the other hand, also boasts of a host of greats players in the squad. The opening pair of skipper William Porterfield and Paul Sterling are vital to the side with the latter boasting of two-half centuries in the ODI series. All-rounders Kevin O Brien along with George Dockrell are other important members in the squad.
Squads to Choose From
Afghanistan
Asghar Afghan(c), Mohammad Shahzad, Ihsanullah Janet, Javed Ahmadi, Rahmat Shah, Nasir Jamal, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ikram Ali Khil, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Wafadar Momand, Yamin Ahmadzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Waqar Salamkheil
Ireland
William Porterfield(c), Andrew Balbirnie, James Cameron-Dow, George Dockrell, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O Brien, Stuart Poynter, Boyd Rankin, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Lorcan Tucker
Probable Playing XI
Afghanistan
Asghar Afghan (c), Mohammad Nabi, Samiullah Shenwari, Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Shapoor Zadran, Javed Ahmadi, Najibullah Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Rashid Khan, Zahir Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Ireland
William Porterfield (c), Boyd Rankin, Kevin O Brien, Paul Stirling, George Dockrell, Tim Murtagh, Andrew Balbirnie, Stuart Poynter (wk), Andy McBrine, Simi Singh, James Cameron-Dow
Predicted Dream11
Batsmen
- Asghar Afghan (C)
- Kevin O Brien
- Paul Sterling
- Andy McBrine
All-Rounders
- Mohammad Nabi (VC)
- George Dockrell
Bowlers
- Rashid Khan
- Boyd Rankin
- Tim Murtagh
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Wicket-Keepers
- Mohammad Shahzad
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