We were treated to some of the most explosive T20 innings in the 3-match T20 series between Afghanistan and Ireland, but the 1st ODI turned out to be a real low-scoring bummer. The 2nd ODI was another dampener as Afghanistan was nearly done with their innings when rain came and never left. Now, we move to the 3rd ODI at the same venue in Dehradun.
Afghanistan lead 1-0 at the moment and all signs point towards the former minnows doubling their lead and going 2-0 up to a spot where they can’t lose the series. This venue too has been somewhat a happy hunting ground for them, where they have played all of the 8 games here, won 7 and yet to lose one, thanks to the washed out game a couple of days back. Keep reading for a complete fantasy preview of the 3rd ODI…
Match info
- Tournament: Afghanistan and Ireland in India, 2019
- Date: 5th March 2019, 1:00pm IST
- Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
- Series status: Afghanistan lead the series 1-0.
Form (recent first)
- Afghanistan: NR W T L L W W
- Ireland: NR L L W L L W
Stats
- Rashid Khan has 20 wickets in 7 international matches here.
- Afghanistan have not yet lost a match here. Ireland are yet to win one.
- Hazratullah Zazai is the highest run-scorer at this ground – 296 runs.
- Head to head in ODIs – Afghanistan 11-10 Ireland.
Afghanistan
We’re looking at a team which has plenty of options with both bat and ball. Experienced campaigners like Shapoor Zadran and Dawlat Zadran have been left out in order to try all combinations before the 2019 ICC World Cup. They could continue to test their bench strength so I’d be very careful while selecting my fantasy side.
Hazratullah Zazai proved that he can be a good asset in the ODI format as well, while Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi were the other two players who got 50+ scores in the 2nd ODI. People who aren’t expected to be rested for the 3rd ODI include Asghar Afghan and Rashid Khan. Mohammad Shahzad may return behind the stumps, while Zahir Khan could be given a try in place of Mujeeb. I’d also pick Gulbadin Naib in place of Nabi, as he provides good all-rounder options. But remember, Samiullah Shenwari is also an option who could come in for one of these two.
Ireland
While Afghanistan may resort to some trial and experimenting, Ireland are expected to play a more-or-less similar team, led by William Porterfield. The skipper wasn’t a part of the T20 series and scored 1 in the 1st ODI which means he won’t be in many people’s fantasy sides, so here’s your chance to pick him ahead of the popular choice in Paul Stirling, who did well in the T20s and also scored 89 in the 1st ODI. It’s a gamble but the risk could make you rich.
Someone I won’t be dropping is George Dockrell. The left-arm spinner has been a revelation for Ireland since he was 17 years old and recent outings show he has improved with the bat as well, scoring 37 and ending as Ireland’s second-highest scorer in the 1st ODI. Make sure you pick him while Tim Murtagh will be a good pick as well. Since Afghanistan will be testing out players, I’m going in with a 6-5 Ireland-strong fantasy team.
AFG vs IRE Punting
Place bets at BEST ODDS in the 3rd ODI
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— Read Scoops (@ReadScoops) March 4, 2019
My fantasy eleven
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