Afghanistan Stars Who Could Dismantle Ireland In Their Own Backyard

Rahmanullah Gurbaz for AFG. [Source - AP]

Afghanistan begin their five-match ODI tour of Ireland on August 5 at Bready, with the series marking the start of an exciting stretch of 50-over cricket for both teams. As they look to build momentum ahead of a busy ODI season, the contest promises to be a fascinating battle.

Afghanistan come into the series with an experienced squad and several players who can win matches on their own. Ireland will be high on confidence after beating India in the recent T20I series, but facing Afghanistan in the ODI format is a completely different challenge

Afghanistan have enjoyed plenty of success in Irish conditions over the years, never losing a bilateral ODI series in Ireland, including a memorable triumph in 2018. With the hosts aiming to rewrite history, these Afghan stars could once again dismantle Ireland in their own backyard.

1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz 

Rahmanullah Gurbaz will be one of Afghanistan's biggest players to watch in the upcoming five-match ODI series against Ireland. The wicketkeeper-batter has been in excellent form recently, highlighted by a superb century against India.

Gurbaz also has an outstanding ODI record against Ireland. In just five innings, he has scored 352 runs, including two centuries and a half-century, making him one of the most successful Afghan batters against the hosts.

Interestingly, this will be Gurbaz's first ODI tour of Ireland with Afghanistan. Given his recent form and impressive record against the Irish side, he has all the ingredients to trouble Ireland in their own backyard once again.

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2. Rashid Khan 

Rashid Khan remains Afghanistan's biggest match-winner and one of the first names Ireland will have to plan for. The star all-rounder has rediscovered his best form across white-ball cricket and once again looks ready to lead Afghanistan's charge.

No bowler has taken more ODI wickets ever against Ireland than Rashid Khan. In 26 matches, he has claimed 55 wickets at an outstanding average of 17.07, including four four-wicket hauls and a five-wicket haul. He also boasts the most wickets by an Afghan bowler in Ireland, with 17 scalps in nine ODIs.

Rashid has consistently troubled Ireland, a side that has often struggled against quality spin. His impact is not limited to the ball either, having scored four ODI half-centuries against the Irish. With his all-round ability, Rashid Khan is once again expected to be Afghanistan's biggest threat in Ireland.

3. Azmatullah Omarzai 

Azmatullah Omarzai could prove to be Afghanistan's biggest all-round weapon in the five-match ODI series against Ireland. His ability to influence the game with both bat and ball makes him a genuine match-winner and a key player to watch.

With the ball, Omarzai's new-ball spells could trouble Ireland's top-order, while his control through the middle-overs and effectiveness at the death add another dimension to Afghanistan's attack. Since 2023, he has picked up 41 ODI wickets at an average of 26.2 and a strike rate of 27.5.

Omarzai has also become an integral part of Afghanistan's batting lineup, averaging 47.2 in ODIs since 2023 at a strike-rate of nearly 100. With the ODI World Cup just over a year away, he will be eager to carry his rich form forward and could be the all-round difference-maker against Ireland.

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