IRE vs AFG Today Match Prediction and Betting Tips, Odds and Live Score

IRE vs AFG Match Prediction & Analysis

The 2nd ODI of the five match series between hosts Ireland and Afghanistan will be played on August 7. The game will be played at the Bready Cricket Club Ground. The first match between the two teams was abandoned due to incessant rain.

Afghanistan side would be eager to bounce back after their recent 3-0 thrashing in the ODI series vs India. 33-year-old veteran all-rounder Rahmat Shah has been named the new captain of the side.

As for Ireland, they are beaming with confidence after securing a 2-0 T20I series over Team India in Ireland. It was a tremendous performance against the T20 World Champs and would hope to carry that performance level to the 50 overs game as well.

In the head-to-head context, Ireland and Afghanistan have played a total of 32 ODIs in which Afghanistan have won 18 and Ireland have won 13. In the last 10 matches between them, Afghanistan lead with 7 victories to Ireland’s 3 wins.

RECENT PERFORMANCE

HEAD TO HEAD

Last 4 Matches 0 IRE Won 2 AFG Won 2 No Result IRE IRE vs AFG 2026 AFG 00/0 (00) 05 Aug 2026 00/0 (00) Show More Show Less AFG 236/9 in 50.0 AFG vs IRE 2024 Afghanistan beat Ireland by 117 runs 12 Mar 2024 IRE 119/10 in 35.0 AFG 00/0 (00) AFG vs IRE 2024 09 Mar 2024 IRE 00/0 (00) AFG 310/5 in 50.0 AFG vs IRE 2024 Afghanistan beat Ireland by 35 runs 07 Mar 2024 IRE 275/8 in 50.0

TEAMS PREVIEW

Ireland Preview

Ireland will be eager to put a competitive performance on the board after the first ODI of the series against Afghanistan was washed out. Captained by Paul Stirling, the hosts face a tough challenge.

The batting revolves around experienced campaigners. Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie form a solid opening pair, while Harry Tector has been a consistent performer in the middle order.

Stirling has scored 6005 runs in 170 matches while Balbirnie has scored 3376 runs in 118 games. Tector is touted as one of the top batters in Ireland right now having scored 1992 runs in 54 matches at an average of 46.32.

Wicketkeeper-batter Lorcan Tucker and Ben Calitz offer further firepower, with Curtis Campher providing all-round balance.

The bowling unit features a mix of pace and spin. Mark Adair leads the seam attack, supported by Liam McCarthy, Byron McDonough and debutant Jai Moondra who impressed in his T20I debut series vs India bagging 5 wickets in 2 matches.

Andy McBrine and George Dockrell handle the spin duties, while Gavin Hoey adds further options. Ireland have shown the ability to compete against stronger sides in recent bilateral series and would not fear going toe-to-toe against the Afghans.

Ireland Predicted Playing XI:

Paul Stirling (C), Andrew Balbirnie, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (WK), Benjamin Calitz, Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Cade Carmichael, George Dockrell, Liam McCarty, Jai Moondra.

Ireland Actual Playing XI:

Andrew Balbirnie, Benjamin Calitz, Cade Carmichael, Harry Tector, Paul Stirling, Curtis Campher, Lorcan Tucker, Mark Adair, Gavin Hoey, Byron McDonough, Jai Moondra

Afghanistan Preview

Afghanistan head into the second ODI of their five-match series against Ireland as clear favourites after the opening game was abandoned due to rain. Led by Rahmat Shah, the visitors will look to make a strong statement.

Despite a recent 3-0 series loss to India, Afghanistan remain a well-drilled unit capable of posting or chasing competitive totals.

The side arrives with a potent mix of experience and quality. Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran form a dangerous top-order combination. The wicketkeeper-batter Gurbaz was the side’s best batter vs India scoring 148 runs in 3 innings including a memorable 102 off 51 balls in the 1st ODI.

Captain Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi could provide stability in the middle order. Hashmatullah scored 133 in 3 innings vs India while this a new beginning as Afghanistan captain for Rahmat Shah. Darwish Rasooli and all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai add further depth with both bat and ball.

The bowling attack is particularly strong. Rashid Khan remains one of the most effective spinners in world cricket, while Fazalhaq Farooqi and Yamin Ahmadzai offer genuine pace options.

Allah Ghazanfar and Nangeyalia Kharoti provide additional spin variety to pose as a threat alongside Rashid. Afghanistan have dominated recent encounters against Ireland and will aim to continue that trend.

Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI:

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmat Shah (C), Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Allah Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Yamin Ahmadzai.

Afghanistan Actual Playing XI:

Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Allah Ghazanfar, Mohammad Saleem Safi, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rashid Khan, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

HR Temp Rain W. speed W. direction Clouds 00h 13 0 mm. 2.44 k/h From: SSW 100% 03h 11 0 mm. 2.3 k/h From: S 80% 06h 13 0 mm. 4.31 k/h From: SW 91% 09h 16 0 mm. 5.91 k/h From: SW 89% 12h 18 0 mm. 6.37 k/h From: SW 89% 15h 19 0 mm. 6.71 k/h From: WSW 99% 18h 18 0 mm. 4.48 k/h From: SW 97% 21h 17 0 mm. 2.08 k/h From: SSW 97%

Weather Conditions

The weather forecast for the game looks to be a dry day with sunny intervals and variable amounts of cloud is expected. Temperatures will reach a high of around 19°C and low near 13°C. Moderate southwesterly winds at 10–15 mph could be pivotal. The chance of rain is low with only a 10-15% probability of precipitation.

IRE vs AFG Pitch Report

The surface typically offers early assistance to seamers with swing and seam movement, especially under overcast Irish conditions, along with true bounce. Once the new ball loses its shine, batters can score freely as the pitch settles into a true and even-paced track. Spinners get limited help. The average first inning score at the venue is near about 270.

Toss: To Bowl

The captain who wins the toss, might want to bowl first. The surface is going to be fairly new, especially for the Afghanistan team. Bowling first would allow access to the behaviour before heading out to bat in the 2nd innings.