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AFG vs IRE: 1st T20I Top Captain, Vice-captain Picks & Player Stats

Paul Stirling has been in good form with the bat recently [X]Paul Stirling has been in good form with the bat recently [X]

After clinching the three-match one-day international series 2-0, the Asian side Afghanistan (AFG) now faces Ireland (IRE) in the shortest international format. The first of the three-match T20 international series takes place on Friday, March 15th, 2024 at the historic Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates at 9:30 PM IST. 


AFG vs IRE - Important Player Picks (Top 5 Players)

Player
Country
Rahmanullah GurbazAfghanistan
Azmatullah OmarzaiAfghanistan
Mohammad NabiAfghanistan
Paul StirlingIreland
Harry TectorIreland


AFG vs IRE - Toss Factor

Considering the shorter boundaries and a flat batting surface, the skipper winning the toss will look to have a bowl first in the opening T20 international.

Scenario: If Afghanistan win the toss

If Afghanistan win the toss, they will look to field first and have a target in front of them at this small stadium. Seam bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi and spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman will be key for the Asian side in restricting the Irish side to a modest total. The batting department will be led by Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Azmatullah Omarzai.

Scenario: If Ireland win the toss

The Irish may also opt to field first. The trio of Craig Young, Joshua Little and Mark Adair will be important and crucial for Ireland as they all look to pick up early wickets and put pressure on the Afghans. Batting will rely on the experienced duo of Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie and youngster Harry Tector.


AFG vs IRE - Top Captain and Vice Captain Picks

Scenario: If Afghanistan Bat First

Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been the man in form for Afghanistan [X]Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been the man in form for Afghanistan [X]

Rahmanullah Gurbaz - Dashing wicketkeeper batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz won the Player of the Series award against Ireland in the recently-concluded ODI series. The right-handed opening player smashed a century and a half-century in two outings. He is clearly the man-in-form and an easy pick.

Azmatullah Omarzai - All-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai brings a different dimension to this Afghan side. The 23-year old came into the limelight after his solid performances in the World Cup 2023. Omarzai now also bats higher up the order and he is a very useful bowler too.

Scenario: If Ireland Bat First

Paul Stirling - Ireland skipper Paul Stirling is an experienced campaginer and one of the best T20I batters around the world. The explosive right-handed player opens the innings for his team and bats in a similar way to that of Gurbaz. 


Harry Tector has been in good form with the bat [X]Harry Tector has been in good form with the bat [X]

Harry Tector - Young middle-order player Harry Tector scored a brilliant hundred (138) in the first one-day international match against the Afghans. The 24-year old was Ireland's leading run-scorer in the series. He should definitely be picked ahead of the first T20 international.


AFG vs IRE - High Risk, High Rewards

Ibrahim Zadran (AFG) - Ibrahim Zadran may open the innings with Gurbaz in the series. The talented right-handed player has been extremely consistent in the one-day international format. Zadran, who already has five half-centuries to his name in T20Is, will look to improve more in this format. He is a risky but worthy pick also considering his position in the side.

Andrew Balbirnie (IRE) - Former captain Andrew Balbirnie will also open the innings with skipper Paul Stirling. The 33-year old had a poor ODI series but Balbirnie has the experience of playing 98 T20Is with over 2000 runs under his belt. Considering his position in the line-up, Balbirnie is a risky but worthy pick.


AFG vs IRE - Stay Aways

Mohammad Ishaq (AFG) - Wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Ishaq made his debut against Sri Lanka last month in this format. The right-handed wicketkeeper batter batted at no. seven in that match. Considering his position and lesser experience, he could be given a miss.

Lorcan Tucker (IRE) - Lorcan Tucker has suffered miserably in his last six T20 internationals. The wicketkeeper batter has scores of 8, 12, 21, 0, 0, and 0 in these matches. Considering his recent T20I form, Tucker should surely be not picked for this fixture.