Ireland tour of India to play Afghanistan (2020)

[MenInG]

DUBLIN – Cricket Ireland today announced the 14-player squad that will travel to India to play a three-match men’s T20 International series against Afghanistan.

The fixtures will be played at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh in India – the matches being:

Friday 6 March 2020 (start 6pm, local time)

Sunday 8 March 2020 (start at 2pm, local time)

Tuesday 10 March 2020 (start at 2pm, local time)

The only change from the T20I squad that travelled to the Caribbean in January is Shane Getkate coming in for Mark Adair. Adair has been left out of the squad to work on his fitness and conditioning, as well as to manage an ongoing ankle injury.

The 14-player squad is:

Andrew Balbirnie (Captain), Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Shane Getkate, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Kevin O’Brien, Boyd Rankin, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Gary Wilson, Craig Young.

Andrew White, Chair of National Men’s Selectors, said:

“With the T20 World Cup approaching in October, the Selectors are looking to provide an opportunity for players to test themselves in various conditions, while [Head Coach] Graham Ford searches for the right combinations and tactics that we will take into the World Cup.”

“The squad that performed so well in the recent West Indies series will get another opportunity to show what they can offer, against familiar but formidable opponents in this format of the game.”

“While it is unfortunate Mark Adair will not be travelling, this opens up an opportunity for Shane Getkate, who missed out on the Caribbean tour.”

“We are confident that we have selected a well-balanced side, but we will be looking for greater consistency as the year progresses. The last tour gave us an insight into this Irish side’s potential - by beating the World Champions in their own backyard, but there is no doubt the players will be keen to show those performances on a more regular basis.”

 

[Shafi]

How ungrateful Afghanistan turned out to be? We gave them all the facilities with proper training to play cricket and they thank us by making India as their home venue.

 

[MenInG]

Ireland have been swept aside by Afghanistan in each of the three T20I bilateral series played between the two teams. Can they put that right against Asghar Afghan's men in the upcoming three-match affair?

Overview

Afghanistan v Ireland, 1st T20I
Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, Greater Noida
Friday, 06 March; 02.00pm local, 08.30am GMT

Afghanistan batsmen have relished the Ireland attack, especially in Indian conditions, scoring in excess of 200 in three of the last four outings in Greater Noida. Their all-round attack, led by the experience of Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, who are ranked No.1 on the MRF Tyres ICC T20I Rankings for bowlers and all-rounders respectively, and the promising medium pacers in Karim Janat and Naveen-ul-Haq rounds off a formidable bowling outfit.

That they have been unbeaten in each of their last five bilateral series further reinstates their T20I prowess. Their key player though would be left-handed opener Hazratullah Zazai, who has scored 360 runs against Ireland at a staggering strike-rate of 209.30, including a memorable 162* last year.

Hazratullah Zazai has an outstanding T20I record against IrelandHazratullah Zazai has an outstanding T20I record against Ireland
Afghanistan's middle-order did fail collectively against West Indies in their last international assignment in November last year, but that could be attributed to the slow nature of the Lucknow wicket. They have a chance to set that right in the series, with the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2020 less than eight months away.

Ireland on the other hand, will miss services of the experienced Gary Wilson and regular coach Graham Ford; Wilson has been sidelined with illness, while Ford suffered a freak slip incident last week, which resulted in four broken bones. That does dent visitors significantly on the experience front, but the quality of the established internationals in Kevin O'Brien and Paul Stirling can't be undermined.

They would, however, still sweat on their bowling resources, who failed collectively in the away series against West Indies in January. That leaves a lot of responsibility on the experienced Boyd Rankin and George Dockrell to deliver the goods.

Remember the last time

Ireland were undone by Mohammad Nabi's brilliance as his 36-ball 81 powered Afghanistan to a daunting 210/7 after being put in to bat in the third and final game of the series. Ireland lost Paul Stirling early in the chase, but Kevin O'Brien (74) and Balbirnie (47) kept them in hunt with a steady 96-run stand.

Ziaur Rahman gave them the breakthrough, castling Balbirnie in the 14th over, before Rashid Khan ran through the middle order with a hattrick, and eventually finished with returns of 5/27 to help his side a comfortable 32-run win.

Conditions

There are high chances of rain on Friday which might result in a shortened game. The venue has been largely favourable to the batters with teams batting first registering scores of 165/5, 184/8 and 233/8 respectively in the three games played here.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1635906

 

[MenInG]

IRE 172/6 (20.0) CRR: 8.6
Innings Break

 

[the Great Khan]

Afghanistan should look to move back to Pakistan. They would get massive support in Peshawar and other places..

 

[Mamoon]

Afghanistan should look to move back to Pakistan. They would get massive support in Peshawar and other places..

Getting out of Pakistan helped them improve rapidly. Getting under BCCI’s wing and getting access to their facilities and IPL have saved Afghanistan cricket.

 

[Rudi hater]

Pakistan taught them how to play cricket. Afghanistan did not have a clue about cricket. Afghanistan and Bangladesh cricket developed due to Pakistan efforts. Pakistan drafted them in their domestic competition in early days. No one can deny that even if you are 100% bias against Pakistan.

 

[Rudi hater]

Afghanistan should look to move back to Pakistan. They would get massive support in Peshawar and other places..

No they should let them stay where they are. We need to concentrate on our own teams.

 

[MenInG]

Afghanistan vs Ireland, 1st T20I
At Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, Greater Noida

AFG 133/5 (15.0 Ovs) • IRE 172/6 (20.0 Ovs)

Afghanistan won by 11 runs( DLS method - due to rain)

 

[MenInG]

Ireland's defeat against Afghanistan on Friday, 6 March was their 11th consecutive loss to the sub-continent side. They need to break the streak and win their next clash on Sunday to keep the series alive.

Overview

Afghanistan v Ireland, 2nd T20I
Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, Greater Noida
Sunday, 08 March; 02.00pm local, 08.30am GMT

Ireland showed sparks of brilliance in the first T20I, both with bat and ball, but allowed their opponents back in at crucial junctures. Their bowlers continued to struggle, like they did in West Indies earlier this year, with all-rounder Simi Singh being the only notable contributor with a return of 2/18 from his three overs. Boyd Rankin and George Dockrell were taken to the cleaners, and their form must be worrying captain Andy Balbirnie.

With the bat, the top three of Paul Stirling, Kevin O'Brien, and Balbirne himself got Ireland off to a decent start. The young Harry Tector also impressed with a useful cameo at the end.

As for Afghanistan, their over-reliance on Rashid Khan, the top-ranked bowler in MRF Tyres ICC T20I Rankings once again came to the fore on Friday. Young Karim Janat did bowl with discipline, but Asghar Afghan, their captain, will hope the rest of the attack can support Rashid more.

Another win would mark their sixth series triumph in a row, and that would put them behind Pakistan and India, who lead the count win 11 and seven wins respectively.

Remember the last time

Stirling and O'Brien got Ireland off to a flier, adding 63 in the first six overs. O'Brien departed for 35 but Stirling raced to his 18th T20I fifty, with some good support from skipper Balbirnie (29). There were quick wickets in the second half of their innings, with Rashid (3/22) being the wrecker-in-chief, but Tector's unbeaten 17-ball 29 propelled them to 172/6 at the end of 20 overs.

In reply, Hazratullah Zazai (23 off 15) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (28 off 13) came out all guns blazing for Afghanistan. However, a mini-implosion reduced them to 70/4, before Najibullah Naib struck an unbeaten 42 off 21, adding 63 runs with Samiullan Shinwari (28) to put them back in hunt. The latter was dismissed on the last ball of the 15th, and rain then intervened. At 133/5 at that point, Afghanistan were 11 ahead on the DLS method, and emerged victorious.

Conditions

The weather on Sunday is largely expected to be clear with minimal chances of rain. The pitch is expected to be conducive for batting, as it was in the series opener, and in the three games played here previously.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1637875

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Afghanistan should win this.

 

[SensiblePakFan]

How ungrateful Afghanistan turned out to be? We gave them all the facilities with proper training to play cricket and they thank us by making India as their home venue.

Thats how Politics weaves its way into sports unfortunately. Players dont control these scenarious.

 

[MenInG]

AFG 153/3 (17.4) CRR: 8.66
Afghanistan opt to bat

 

[thelandofthebravepeople]

Pakistan taught them how to play cricket. Afghanistan did not have a clue about cricket. Afghanistan and Bangladesh cricket developed due to Pakistan efforts. Pakistan drafted them in their domestic competition in early days. No one can deny that even if you are 100% bias against Pakistan.

British/India taught Pakistan to play cricket. What is the point? Bare 2-3 Afghan players no one played domestic cricket in Pakistan.

 

[MMHS]

Pakistan taught them how to play cricket. Afghanistan did not have a clue about cricket. Afghanistan and Bangladesh cricket developed due to Pakistan efforts. Pakistan drafted them in their domestic competition in early days. No one can deny that even if you are 100% bias against Pakistan.

What really has Pakistan done for BD cricket? I read it many times in PP - which BD player or team was drafted in PAK domestics? In anything, BD (East Pakistan's) cricket was deprived for 25 years, for which that game took at least 35 years late in BD.

 

[The Viper]

2nd T20I:

Afghanistan: 184/4

Ireland: 163/6 (20 ov, target 185)

Afghanistan won by 21 runs

 

[Artaxerxes]

Sad to see Ireland lose to the youngest team in the world.The Afghan players are the youngest and Afghan cricket itself.Afghan cricket board was admitted to full membership of ICC recently.

 

[MenInG]

Ireland have already been beaten 2-0, but can they get some relief with a win in the third and final T20I on Tuesday, 10 March?

Overview

Afghanistan v Ireland, 3rd T20I
Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, Greater Noida
Tuesday, 10 March; 02:00pm local, 08:30am GMT

Afghanistan have once again demonstrated their superiority in Asian conditions, and they have done so as a collective unit. Their batting has won them matches, but their top scorer only has 63 runs from two matches. Mujeeb ur Rahman has been unusually expensive, but he has made up for it with wickets, while Rashid Khan has been economical and incisive, helping his team stay on top of their opponents.

The top three run-scorers of the series are all Irishmen, but their success has not translated to a win for the team. Despite the strong performances of the batsmen, Ireland’s bowlers have not been able to contain Afghanistan, and it has resulted in their batsmen having to chase down tall totals and their bowlers not being able to defend big ones. A more well-rounded performance will help them put up a better challenge and push the home team.

What happened last time

Solid contributions from all around the batting order, led by the captain Asghar Afghan’s 28-ball 49, lifted Afghanistan to 184/4. Ireland were restricted to 163, thanks to Mujeeb’s top-order wickets and some economical bowling from Rashid and co.

What they said

Asghar Afghan, Afghanistan captain: “Happy to win the series. We focused on some strike rotation before going for quick runs. We know our strength, we bat long and can target the death overs. We want to stay positive because every game is important.”

Andy Balbirnie, Ireland captain: “We started pretty well, but you have to good for the whole 20 overs. We tend to start well in the T20Is but need some balance in the middle order. The series is now gone, but it's a big year and we need to focus on the third game.”

Conditions

There should be hazy sunshine through the day. Noida has shown a penchant for big scores, so teams are well-placed to reap the benefits of making optimum utilisation of the conditions.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1642169

 

[sweep_shot]

Afghanistan should win 3-0. Ireland is quite bad in subcontinent.

 

[MenInG]

Afghanistan vs Ireland, 3rd T20I
Mar 10 • 11:30 AM at Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, Greater Noida
AFG 142/7 (20.0 Ovs) • IRE 142/8 (20.0 Ovs)

Match tied (Super over in Progress)

 

[MenInG]

IRE 142/8 (20.0)
AFG 142/7 (20.0) CRR: 7.1
Match tied (Ireland won the Super Over)

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Incredible game

 

[Ryw]

Delany shines, before O'Brien's last-ball six helps Ireland edge past Afghanistan in Super Over

Afg v Ire, 3rd T20I, report
Gareth Delany (37 and 2/21) stood out for Ireland before Kevin O'Brien struck Rashid Khan for a last-ball six in the Super Over to help Ireland register their first T20I win over Afghanistan in more than six years.

This was Ireland's first T20I win over Afghanistan since their 68-run triumph during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier in November 2013, after which they had been clean swept in each of the four bilateral series, before losing the first two games of the ongoing one.

At 60/1 in the ninth over, Afghanistan looked set to achieve the 143-run target to complete a 3-0 whitewash. That start was primarily brought about by opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who struck three fours and as many sixes during his 29-ball 42.

However, Gareth Delany, who had top-scored for Ireland earlier in the day, removed both Rahmanullah and his opening partner Usman Ghani with his leg-breaks in the same over, to bring his side back into the contest.

Karim Janat departed for a quickfire 17 and skipper Asghar Afghan (32) held firm before Rashid Khan struck 14 off six balls to push the game into a Super Over.

Craig Young, the right-arm quick showed great accuracy in the super over, as all-rounder Mohammad Nabi and Rahmanullah managed just eight runs off six balls. In reply, Paul Stirling struck a four off Rashid Khan to put his team ahead of the game, but was trapped leg-before a ball later to pull the game back into the balance.

A dot followed by a single brought the equation down to three required off the last ball, and O'Brien lofted Rashid high over his head as the ball crept just above the long-off fielder to seal the game for Ireland.

Earlier, Ireland lost opener Paul Stirling and skipper Andy Balbirnie within the first three overs after opting to bat. Stirling was deceived by a slower one to fall for a four-ball duck, while Balbirnie's stumps were shattered by an in-dipper, both falling to medium pacer Naveen-ul-Haq.

O'Brien (26) and Delany began the rescue act, adding 62 in 6.5 overs, before Qais Ahmad weaved his magic to get rid of O'Brien, who skied one to Rashid Khan at long-on to give the youngster his maiden T20I wicket.

Delany followed suit in the next over, falling to Rashid, to leave Ireland at 80/4 in the 11th over.

There were no major contributions thereafter, barring Harry Tector, whose 22-ball 31 took the total to 142/8 at the end of 20 overs. Naveen-ul-Haq and Qais bagged three wickets a piece for Afghanistan.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1643531

 

[Donal Cozzie]

With Tector/Delany/Adair and others like Doheny to come we have a seriously exciting crop of batting talent coming through.

Some very promising pace prospects also but that'll need time and lack og injury to develop.

Very exciting times ahead. To go from losing to Canada/UAE to winning away vs Afghanistan and the Windies in such a short time shows a) the depth in international cricket has never been stronger and b) we're actually able to compete consistently.

For the first time in about six years we can enjoy t20 cricket played as it should be.

 

[MMHS]

With Tector/Delany/Adair and others like Doheny to come we have a seriously exciting crop of batting talent coming through.

Some very promising pace prospects also but that'll need time and lack og injury to develop.

Very exciting times ahead. To go from losing to Canada/UAE to winning away vs Afghanistan and the Windies in such a short time shows a) the depth in international cricket has never been stronger and b) we're actually able to compete consistently.

For the first time in about six years we can enjoy t20 cricket played as it should be.

I believe we are playing 4 games (T20) in May, in UK - I expect that series to be MUCH closer than BD-ZIM. IRL, just needs to improve overall game out of their comfort zone, they are in good shape. Losing 2-1 in T20 to AFGs in IND isn't a bad result at all; IRL could have won the first T20 as well.

 

[Donal Cozzie]

I believe we are playing 4 games (T20) in May, in UK - I expect that series to be MUCH closer than BD-ZIM. IRL, just needs to improve overall game out of their comfort zone, they are in good shape. Losing 2-1 in T20 to AFGs in IND isn't a bad result at all; IRL could have won the first T20 as well.

Yes we are. 3 ODI's in Ireland too (Assuming coronavirus plays along). I'm very annoyed the Test was scrapped, would've been a cracker.

We actually have a very respectable (and dare I saw underrated) record in the subcontinent. In our last three series away from home against whats probably the best spin attack in the world, we

Lost 2-3 in 2016
won 2-1 in 2017
drew 2-2 in 2019

Certainly not as bad as it could be.

We've a long way to go for sure and there will be bad days but Delany/Tector/Adair all of these guys have performed already internationally and all are 23 or younger. David Delany clocked 145kph in the qualifiers and he's only 21. Stephen Doheny came off a very good spell in grade cricket and battered a full strength Namibia side around during an A series last month.

The signs are looking positive anyway. Just need to find a genuine spinner somewhere.