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Ireland looking to keep series hopes alive after washout

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For Ireland’s team, the showers which ruined the second ODI against Afghanistan were more frustrating than most – it came with the two sides locked in perhaps their most keenly contested bout to date on this tour.
After assessing the pitch, the selectors went with increased spin options in the second ODI, with James Cameron-Dow and Andy McBrine coming in primarily due to the conditions.

Absent the rain interruption, Ireland would most likely have needed to chase somewhere in the region of 260 – while they were bowled out for 161 in the first ODI, on the evidence of the T20I series, in which Ireland made 194 and 178 in the last two games, it would have been an intriguing pursuit.

While positive signs are there that the visitors are becoming more acclimatised to subcontinent conditions, the men in green will be looking for a win in the third ODI if they are to keep their hopes of a series win alive.

Key battle – utilising the new ball

Ireland have been forced to get creative with their openers during this series; with conditions not conducive to swing and seam, and the hard, new ball tending to go the distance, they have shown a willingness to mix up their plans. Having started with two quicks in the first ODI, off-spinner Andy McBrine was tasked of opening the bowling in the second ODI – just the second time he has done so in the format – and responded well, claiming 2-43.

Experienced seamer Tim Murtagh has bowled the first over in both games, and maintained an economy rate of 4.17 in the series despite not finding conditions entirely to his liking. “I think it’s important you acclimatise pretty quickly and have clear plans, but be prepared to change those plans quickly if things aren’t working well,” he said. “Obviously you’re not going to get the assistance from the wicket or through the air you’d get back home, so other skills I’ve developed over the years come to the fore and you have to rely on those.”

Afghanistan opener Hazratullah Zazai has been in scintillating form on Ireland’s tour so far – aside from smashing a record-breaking 161* in the T20I series, he has chipped in with several useful cameos, and in the second ODI top-scored for his side with a six-laden 67. Keeping him quiet is sure to be vital to Irish hopes in the third ODI.

Conditions

There shouldn’t (fingers crossed) be a cloud in the sky, with temperatures in the high teens expected throughout the afternoon, dropping into the low teens in the evening.

SQUADS

Afghanistan series – ODI Squad
William Porterfield (Captain), Andrew Balbirnie, James Cameron-Dow, Peter Chase, George Dockrell, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O’Brien, Stuart Poynter, Boyd Rankin, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Lorcan Tucker

Afghanistan series – Test Squad
William Porterfield (Captain), Andrew Balbirnie, James Cameron-Dow, George Dockrell, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O’Brien, Stuart Poynter, Boyd Rankin, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Lorcan Tucker

TOUR SCHEDULE (UPCOMING MATCHES)

• 5 March: Afghanistan v Ireland – 3rd ODI – start time of 1pm (local time) or 7.30am (GMT)
• 8 March: Afghanistan v Ireland – 4th ODI – start time of 1pm (local time) or 7.30am (GMT)
• 10 March: Afghanistan v Ireland – 5th ODI – start time of 1pm (local time) or 7.30am (GMT)
• 15–19 March: Afghanistan v Ireland – Test Match – start time of 10am (local time) or 4.30am (GMT)

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Afghanistan lead 1-0 in the series with three matches to go
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