Afghanistan is leading the three-match T20I series 1-0 against Ireland, after winning the first T20I on Monday. The match was reduced to 18-overs each side due to rain as Afghanistan batted first and put on a score of 160 for 7. The Irishmen fumbled in the chase and ended up at 144-9.
Led by Asghar Stanikzai, Afghanistan would be looking to win the second T20I and seal the series 2-0, but the way the series will get spiced up if the Irish team show some fightback rather than surrendering themselves to the Asian side.
The Afghani spin trio on the spotlight again
Hazratullah Zazai and the Afghani spinners inspired the win in the first T20I, and Rashid Khan was the pick of the bowlers again. The batting looks set but the visitors will be concerned about the fact that they didn't finish well with the bat in the previous game. It is expected that Afghanistan will be unchanged for the second T20I.
Afghanistan beat @Irelandcricket by 16 runs in the first T20I of the series and take a 1-0 lead.#AFGvIRE #1stT20I pic.twitter.com/G9oK5yMRyu
— Afghan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) August 20, 2018
Ireland would be knowing that a loss in the second T20I would cost them the series. Hence, the pressure is right back on Ireland going into this game.
Led by Gary Wilson, the side hasn't performed particularly well in the T20 format. Not a lot of chances is expected, but pacer Boyd Rankin may come into the side having missed out on selection in the previous game.
Rain scare in Bready
The pitch at the Bready Cricket Club was good for batting in the first T20I and we can expect it would be the same for the second game as well.
The spinners might get some help off the surface due to the slowness of the pitch. The weather forecast predicts a really overcast day ahead for the two teams.
TV telecast and live streaming details
The second T20I between Ireland and Afghanistan is on from 4pm this afternoon (Irish time). Come down to @BreadyCC or catch the action live-streamed on https://t.co/gdRDLsDRdr #BackingGreen pic.twitter.com/HWV91Z4GHR
— Cricket Ireland (@Irelandcricket) August 22, 2018
- India & Subcontinent: Sony Six, Sony Six HD, SonyLiv - live stream on Cricketgateway.com
- UK: BBC, Cricketgateway
- Australia: Fox Sports
- South Africa: SuperSport
- Ireland: BBC Sport NI, live stream on Cricketgateway.com
- New Zealand: SKY Sport NZ
The possibility of rain is also around 40% as the sunlight is only expected towards the late afternoon.
The first T20I was also reduced to an 18-over affair after rain forced a delayed start.
Read: India vs England 3rd Test live cricket streaming on Sony Six at 3 PM IST on Saturday
Also read: Bangladesh vs West Indies 3rd T20 live streaming on GTV at 5 AM IST on Monday
