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Ireland
Afghanistan
The first ODI between Ireland and Afghanistan will begin a 5-match series, with both teams looking to make a strong start at Bready Cricket Club. Ireland will enter the match under Paul Stirling's captaincy, while Rahmat Shah will lead Afghanistan. Both teams will come into this game after winning 2 and losing 3 of their last 5 ODIs.
Afghanistan will start as slight favourites because of their stronger record in recent limited-overs cricket. They have dominated this fixture in recent years, winning 4 of the last 5 ODI meetings, while 1 match ended without a result.
Notably, 3 of those 4 victories came after setting a target, showing their bowling attack has been effective in defending totals. Ireland will rely on home conditions and experienced players to challenge Afghanistan, but the visitors will have the better recent head-to-head record.
Ireland's experienced top order, led by Paul Stirling, Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker, will enjoy familiar home conditions and has a strong chance of producing the highest individual run-scorer despite Afghanistan being favourites overall.
The betting tip is...
Top Batterβs Team - Ireland
61 %
39 %
Ireland will rely on an experienced core in the opening ODI. Paul Stirling has been their most consistent batter in recent matches, scoring 355 runs in 10 ODIs at an average of 39.44.
Andy Balbirnie also contributed 257 runs in his last 10 matches. Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector remain two of Ireland's key batters across formats, especially in T20Is, and carry the ability to make an impact in the 50-over format as well.
With the ball, Mark Adair will lead the attack with 15 wickets in his last 7 ODIs while maintaining an economy of 5.89. Andy McBrine supported him with 6 wickets in 9 matches and an impressive economy rate of 5.19. Ireland's experienced all-rounders gave the side balance in both departments, but the bowling unit is weakened compared to Afghanistan.
Stirling, Balbirnie and Tucker are the key batters.
Predicted Lineup: Paul Stirling (c), Andy Balbirnie, Cade Carmichael, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Andy McBrine, Liam McCarthy, Gavin Hoey
Rahmat Shah took charge of the ODI side for the first time after serving as vice-captain since 2021. He entered the series as Afghanistan's highest ODI run-scorer with 4,121 runs at an average of 35.22 and has also scored 269 runs in his last 9 ODIs. Ibrahim Zadran remains the team's most consistent batter, scoring 462 runs in his last 9 ODIs at an average of 51.33.
Rashid Khan will lead the bowling attack with 19 wickets in his last 9 ODIs, while Azmatullah Omarzai has 15 wickets during the same period.
Fazalhaq Farooqi and Yamin Ahmadzai return to strengthen the pace attack, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman misses the series due to injury. Farooqi also arrives in good form after taking 5 wickets in 2 Lanka Premier League matches.
Gurbaz, Shahidi and Rahmat are the key batters in the team.
Predicted Lineup: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah (c), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Yamin Ahmadzai, AM Ghazanfar
Afghanistan will start as favourites because of their stronger top order and better recent head-to-head record. However, Ireland's home conditions could help their batters make a bigger impact than expected.
Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie have been in decent form, while Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker can build a match-winning innings.
Afghanistan's bowling attack, led by Rashid Khan and Fazalhaq Farooqi, is still likely to keep the game under control and could be the difference once again.
Ireland have a good chance of producing the highest individual run-scorer if their top order settles, but Afghanistan are still more likely to finish with a narrow victory because of their stronger bowling unit.
