• Match: Afghanistan v Ireland, 1st T20I Match, Afghanistan v Ireland in UAE, 2024
• Date and Time: March 15, 04:00 pm GMT / 09:30 pm IST / 08:00 pm local
• Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

Afghanistan: Rashid Khan’s reinstatement as skipper injects a significant dose of confidence into the team, especially following their triumph in the ODI series. The favorable conditions are expected to complement their strengths, and Khan will be eager to capitalize on this momentum to seize the series lead.

The opening partnership of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran has been in fine form, and the team will rely on them to lay a solid foundation. Azmatullah Omarzai’s ability to accelerate in the middle overs will be pivotal, with support from Ijaz Ahmadzai and Mohammad Nabi. Rashid Khan and Nangyal Kharotai will shoulder the responsibility of anchoring the lower middle order.

Bolstered by a formidable bowling attack, Afghanistan anticipates a strong performance with the new ball from Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Rashid Khan aims to exert his influence in the middle overs alongside Naveen-ul-Haq, while Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai add depth to the bowling lineup.

Ireland: Paul Stirling’s side is determined to stage a comeback in the T20 series following their lackluster showing in the ODI series. The batting unit, which struggled previously, must elevate its performance against the formidable Afghan opposition.

Andrew Balbirnie and Paul Stirling will be pivotal in providing a solid start, addressing a key area of concern for the team. The middle order, featuring Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, and Lorcan Tucker, needs to negotiate the Afghan spinners adeptly and focus on forging partnerships. George Dockrell and Mark Adair will aim to contribute quick runs in the lower middle order.

The return of Joshua Little bolsters the bowling lineup and provides an additional option for early breakthroughs alongside Mark Adair. Gareth Delany and Barry McCarthy will play vital roles in the middle overs, striving to contain the Afghan batsmen. Craig Young, Tector, and Curtis Campher add further depth to the bowling arsenal.

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Akhil, Noor Ahmad, Gulbadin Naib, Allah Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Ireland: Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Andy McBrine, Craig Young, Graham Hume, Theo van Woerkom.

Who will win the toss? – Afghanistan
Who will win? – Afghanistan

It will be updated soon

This venue has been witness to some monumental scores in recent times, highlighting its reputation as a batting paradise. In the past couple of years, teams batting first have frequently secured victories, underscoring the importance of setting a target on this pitch. Consequently, the team winning the toss should unequivocally elect to bat first, aiming to capitalize on the favorable batting conditions and post a formidable total on the board.

The Sharjah Cricket Stadium, situated in Sharjah, has garnered a reputation as a high-scoring venue, primarily due to its compact dimensions and rapid outfield, which enable batsmen to accumulate runs quickly. However, the pitch offers limited assistance to fast bowlers, lacking significant seam movement. Conversely, spinners have flourished on this surface, exploiting sharp turn and uneven bounce to trouble batsmen, as the ball grips and occasionally stops unpredictably.

The weather forecast for Sharjah indicates a hot and humid evening, creating conditions favorable for a flat pitch conducive to batting. Batsmen are expected to find ample opportunities to score freely, while bowlers may encounter difficulties due to the surface’s batting-friendly nature. Teams batting first would aim to set a target of 200 runs or more to assert dominance and secure a strong position in the match.