Afghanistan vs Ireland, Only Test Preview
The one-off Test between Afghanistan and Ireland will be played at Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi on February 28, 2024 (Wednesday) by 11:30 am IST / 6:00 am GMT / 10:00 am local.
Afghanistan have won the toss and have opted to bat
This is the second Test encounter between the two sides, with their first meeting in 2019 in Dehradun, India. Afghanistan emerged victorious in that match, winning by seven wickets on the back of Rashid Khan’s spin wizardry.
Recent Performances
Afghanistan lost by 10 wickets in their last Test match against Sri Lanka, but they did not give up. The team showed tenacity with the bat and the ball, and they hope to build on that in the next match against Ireland.
Ireland, on the other hand, is seeking redemption following a 10-wicket loss in their most recent Test match against England in June 2023. Ireland wants to change the situation, and they see this match as a chance to do so in a big way.
Key Players and Squads
Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead Afghanistan, with players like Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, and the experienced Rashid Khan expected to play an important role.
Andrew Balbirnie is the captain of Ireland, and they’re counting on top players like Paul Stirling, Curtis Campher, and Mark Adair to lead the team to success.
Broadcast and Live Streaming
You can watch the match on different channels depending on your location:
- India: Fan Code, Eurosport India
- Afghanistan: RTA Sports
- Ireland: Premier Sports TV
- Pakistan: Tapmad
You can also watch the live streaming of the Afghanistan vs Ireland one-off Test 2024 on the FanCode mobile app or website.
Pitch Report
This test match will the the first match that will be held at Tolerance Oval in Abu Dhabi. Other limited-over matches have been played on this pitch.
The pitch is good for both batting and bowling in the initial time. But the teams might find it challenging to bat in the last inning.
Head-to-Head
In their last 10 matches, Afghanistan has a 1-0 lead over Ireland. That is with their only Test encounter resulting in Afghanistan’s victory.
Teams:
Ireland (Playing XI): Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker(w), Andrew Balbirnie(c), Peter Moor, Curtis Campher, Andy McBrine, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Craig Young, Theo van Woerkom
Afghanistan (Playing XI): Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Rahmat Shah, Noor Ali Zadran, Nasir Jamal, Karim Janat, Zia-ur-Rehman, Nijat Masood, Naveed Zadran, Zahir Khan