Afghanistan vs Ireland, 1st T20I Tips & Preview – Both Teams Looking To Increase Pace And Stamp Their Authority On The T20I Series

By Nikhil Kalro

14 Mar 2024

Nikhil Kalro 14 Mar 2024

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Rashid Khan's return could give Afghanistan the upper hand in the upcoming T20 encounter with Ireland.
Ireland hopes to replicate their recent T20I surge against Zimbabwe to counter Afghanistan’s boost.
Despite Rashid's return, the result of the match is tricky to predict due to the strength of both teams.

Afghanistan's Rahmanullah Gurbaz (R) celebrates with wicketkeeper Mohammad Ishaq. (Getty Images)

The Afghans have been handed a boost before their first T20 encounter of the series against Ireland after Rashid Khan’s return could tilt the scales in Afghanistan’s favour.

Rashid Boost For Afghanistan
Ireland Hope To Draw Inspiration From Zimbabwe Triumph
Afghanistan vs Ireland, 1st T20I – Tips and Predictions

After the Test and two ODIs, the focus shifts to the T20Is. Ireland earned the bragging rights by winning the only Test by six wickets. Afghanistan levelled things by winning the ODIs 2-0. Now, both sides will go head to head again in the shortest format of what has been an engaging series, perhaps the first time in a while that predicting a winner has been a tad tricky because they’re both competing on an even keel.

Rashid Boost For Afghanistan

Just as you began to wonder what could separate the two teams, there’s news that Rashid Khan has made excellent progress in his rehabilitation from back surgery and is available for the T20I leg of this series. He hasn’t played any cricket since the 2023 World Cup, but a fully fit Rashid adds four overs of bankability for Afghanistan at different stages of a T20 innings.

Teams over the years have looked to play him out and not give him wickets. This has invariably put pressure on the batters to take the attack to the other bowlers. The problem is the other spinners are equally skilled. Think of the likes of Mujeeb ur Rahman or Noor Ahmad. So, batters are often in a dilemma as to how they can approach an innings. That’s precisely the issue Ireland, too, will have to contend with in the T20Is.

Ireland Hope To Draw Inspiration From Zimbabwe Triumph

Ireland have to go back three months to clutch upon their most recent T20I experience. But it’s an experience well worth reflecting on many times over, for their manner of victory over Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe told you of their character.

After losing the first T20I agonizingly off the last ball, Ireland pocketed the next two games to win the series. In the second T20I, Harry Tector powered them, while in the third, George Dockrell put his hand up with bat and ball.

The one thing about this current Ireland team in recent times is you’re unlikely to find anyone with outrightly brilliant performance in victories. It’s a combination of performances that have contributed to wins. Something they’ll need to string together to beat Afghanistan again.

Afghanistan vs Ireland, 1st T20I – Tips and Predictions

Rashid will be on most team sheets as the fantasy captain. But to win big, you may want to look out of the box. Pick George Dockrell. He is as reliable as they come with his left-arm spin and is among the most improved batters in Ireland.

He can hit the long balls, access different areas on the field and is an outstanding fielder. Therefore, he’s a great captaincy candidate. Equally good bets in the batting are Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Paul Stirling. This result could be a tad close to call, but Afghanistan start as slight favourites due to their knowledge of conditions in UAE.