Afghanistan's win the first game has put lot of pressure on Ireland who now have to win both the remaining games to win the series. Afghanistan will be carrying a lot of momentum with them as they now won their last eight T20 International matches in a row. With that last win they are unlikely to make any changes to their line-up for this second T20I. With the likes of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the line-up this trio will be the real threat for Ireland's batsmen and will be eager to seal the series with a win.
Ireland need to come up with a plan to deal the Afghan spin trio, in last match Irish lost five of their six wickets to spinners. But Kevin O'Brien surprised everyone by opening the inning with Paul Stirling in last match and the same can be expected again, while Boyd Rankin and Peter Chase will once again spearhead the team's bowling attack. Despite having lost the opening game of the series Ireland may go with an unchanged playing XI.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: Stuart Poynter (8.5 credits)
Poynter, played a brilliant inning in last match where he ended up by adding valuable 31 runs, while batting at the eighth position which he took his side for respectable total at end of 20 overs despite his team struggling to play spinners. Again he will be the key player in the middle-order if the top-order collapse in-front of Afghan's spin trio.
Afghanistan's win the first game has put lot of pressure on Ireland who now have to win both the remaining games to win the series. Afghanistan will be carrying a lot of momentum with them as they now won their last eight T20 International matches in a row. With that last win they are unlikely to make any changes to their line-up for this second T20I. With the likes of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the line-up this trio will be the real threat for Ireland's batsmen and will be eager to seal the series with a win.
Ireland need to come up with a plan to deal the Afghan spin trio, in last match Irish lost five of their six wickets to spinners. But Kevin O'Brien surprised everyone by opening the inning with Paul Stirling in last match and the same can be expected again, while Boyd Rankin and Peter Chase will once again spearhead the team's bowling attack. Despite having lost the opening game of the series Ireland may go with an unchanged playing XI.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: Stuart Poynter (8.5 credits)
Poynter, played a brilliant inning in last match where he ended up by adding valuable 31 runs, while batting at the eighth position which he took his side for respectable total at end of 20 overs despite his team struggling to play spinners. Again he will be the key player in the middle-order if the top-order collapse in-front of Afghan's spin trio.
Batsman: Hazratullah Zazai (9 credits)
The hard-hitting opening batsman Zazai started the inning well against Ireland in last match before he fell on the shot delivery of Boyd Rankin in third over. He has the ability to strike the ball hard and fire up the inning which he shown the glimpse of it in last match. A big inning can be expected from him in this match which can send Ireland on the back foot.
All-rounder: Mohammad Nabi (9.5 credits)
Undoubtedly, Nabi is the best all-rounder to select from the section. Afghan's middle-order batting is depend mainly on Nabi who was the highlight with the bat in the last game. Nabi earned "Man of the Match" for his impressive bowling figure where he took two wickets in four overs and for his match winning knock of 49 not-out. He will definitely be the team's x-factor.
Bowler: Rashid Khan (10 credits)
Leg-spinner Rashid Khan who is the number one T20I bowler who picked two wickets in four overs while ended up by giving 21 runs in last match. Khan has been excellent bowling figure at this venue, he played just four matches and picked ten wickets at an economy of 4.66. Rashid Khan, along with Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman will continue to be the biggest threat for Ireland in spin-friendly condition.
Captain: Mohammad Nabi
Vice-captain: Rashid Khan
