All you need to know about the 1st T20I clash between Afghanistan and Ireland.
Last Updated: 12.27 AM, Mar 15, 2024
Afghanistan is set to host Ireland in the T20Is in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Ireland commenced the tour with a victory in the one-off Test match, while Afghanistan emerged victorious in the ODI series. Now, the focus will shift to the shortest format of the game.
The first T20I match between Afghanistan and Ireland will be held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE on March 15, commencing from 9:00 PM IST onwards. Indian fans can watch the matches on the Fancode app and website, as there will be no broadcast on any TV channel in India.
Ireland has an excellent opportunity to turn things around as they prepare to face Afghanistan. The Irish team must be cautious of T20 specialist Rashid Khan, who is poised to return to competitive cricket after undergoing back surgery following the ODI World Cup in November last year.
"The plan is to represent the country in the upcoming series (T20 against Afghanistan) and the training has been underway today was the second day and thankfully it went well and I hope that the following few days will also be well so that I can wear the national jersey again and continue to do well for my country," Rashid was quoted in a VDO interview posted by Afghanistan Cricket Board on Saturday (March 9).
Head-to-head: The two teams have faced each other 23 times in T20I with Afghanistan having won 16 whereas Ireland has emerged victorious on seven occasions.
Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Sediq Atal, Ijaz Ahmadzai, Ishaq Rahimi (WK), Mohammad Nabi, Nangyal Kharoti, Azmat Omarzai, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Wafadar Momand, Farid Malik, Naveen Ul Haq, Fazal Haq Farooqi
Ireland: Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Ben White, Craig Young.