IRE vs AFG Fantasy Prediction, 1st ODI: Ireland vs Afghanistan Fantasy Team, Playing XI, Pitch Report, Bready

IRE vs AFG Fantasy Team fans will be watching closely as Afghanistan open a five-match ODI series in Ireland under a new captain. Rahmat Shah takes charge for the first time after Hashmatullah Shahidi stepped down following a 3-0 series loss to India. Shahidi stays in the squad as a batter. Paul Stirling leads Ireland, who play at home and have a shot at picking up valuable points in the race for the next World Cup.

IRE vs AFG Match Details

Match: Ireland vs Afghanistan, 1st ODI, Afghanistan tour of Ireland 2026
Date: Wednesday, 5 August 2026
Time: 3:15 PM IST (10:45 AM Local Time)
Venue: Bready Cricket Club Ground, Bready, Northern Ireland
Live Streaming: FanCode

Recent Form

Afghanistan have had a rough run, losing three of their last five games, including a 3-0 whitewash in India where they were beaten by big margins each time. Before that they beat Bangladesh 2-0 in the UAE. Ireland have also lost three of their last five, with defeats to the West Indies and Zimbabwe mixed in with a couple of wins. Both sides come into this series looking to find some form.

Series Context

This is the first of five ODIs between the two sides, with points at stake in the push toward World Cup qualification. Ireland sit 12th in the ODI rankings, and Afghanistan are 8th. The last time these two played an ODI series, in the UAE in 2024, Afghanistan won 2-0.

IRE vs AFG Head to Head Record

Afghanistan have dominated this fixture, winning seven of the last 10 meetings to Ireland’s three. Afghanistan won all three matches in their most recent series in 2024 as well as sweeping a series in 2021. Ireland will need a big improvement to change that trend.

IRE vs AFG Squads

Ireland: Paul Stirling captains the side. He opens the batting alongside Andrew Balbirnie, with Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker giving the middle order some experience. Mark Adair and Andy McBrine lead the bowling. Full squad: Paul Stirling (c), Andrew Balbirnie, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Harry Tector, Byron McDonough, Benjamin Calitz, Cade Carmichael, Andy McBrine, George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gavin Hoey, Liam McCarthy, Jai Moondra.

Afghanistan: Rahmat Shah captains the side for the first time, having served as vice captain in Tests and ODIs since 2021. He’s also Afghanistan’s leading ODI run scorer with over 4,000 runs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is vice captain and keeps wicket. Mujeeb Ur Rahman misses out injured, and Mohammad Nabi has been left out while he plays in the Global Super League. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Yamin Ahmadzai return to strengthen the pace attack. Full squad: Rahmat Shah (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (vc, wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Nangyal Kharotai, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Yamin Ahmadzai, Saleem Safi, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi.

Pitch Report

Bready tends to offer something for everyone. The new ball can move around early, and once batters settle in they can play their shots, with spin becoming more important through the middle overs as the pitch slows down. A score between 250 and 280 should be competitive here. Pace and spin have both had success at this ground recently, with spin taking a slightly higher share of the wickets over the last 10 matches.

Weather Report

Wednesday in Bready looks cool and unsettled. Expect a high near 56°F (13°C) and a low around 50°F (10°C), with a real chance of rain, somewhere between 40 and 55 percent depending on the source. Keep an eye on the forecast, since a delay or reduced overs are both possible.

Probable Playing XIs

Ireland (Probable): Paul Stirling (c), Andrew Balbirnie, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Curtis Campher, Cade Carmichael, Andy McBrine, George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Gavin Hoey, Liam McCarthy.

Afghanistan (Probable): Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah (c), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Yamin Ahmadzai.

These are the likely lineups. Both are confirmed at the toss.

Key Player Battles

Paul Stirling vs Fazalhaq Farooqi: Stirling likes to attack from the first ball, and Farooqi’s left arm pace with the new ball is the first big test of the innings for Ireland.

Harry Tector vs Rashid Khan: Tector is Ireland’s most reliable batter in the middle overs, and Rashid’s leg spin is one of the toughest tests in world cricket. How Tector handles him could shape Ireland’s whole innings.

Rahmat Shah vs Andy McBrine: Shah leads his country for the first time and is Afghanistan’s most experienced ODI batter. McBrine’s off spin will test him early in his new role as captain.

Rashid Khan gets the captaincy as one of the best bowlers in the world in any format and a real threat with the bat too. Tector is vice captain as Ireland’s most consistent batter. The rest of the team balances both top orders with the bowlers most likely to bowl their full quota, since this is a 50 over match with plenty of overs to go around.

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Match Prediction

Afghanistan have the stronger bowling attack by some distance, with Rashid Khan and Fazalhaq Farooqi both capable of running through a batting lineup, and history is firmly on their side in this fixture. Ireland have the extra motivation of a new captain leading Afghanistan and home conditions to fall back on, but their recent form hasn’t been strong either. Afghanistan are the pick to win the series opener, though rain could easily have the final say.

IRE vs AFG Fantasy Team FAQs

Q. Who will win the IRE vs AFG 1st ODI today?
A. Afghanistan are favoured. They have the stronger bowling attack and have dominated this fixture historically, though Ireland have home conditions on their side.

Q. What is the IRE vs AFG Fantasy prediction for the 1st ODI?
A. Rashid Khan and Harry Tector are the top picks. Rahmat Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai are also strong options given Afghanistan’s depth.

Q. What is the pitch report for Bready Cricket Club Ground?
A. It offers a bit of everything, with early movement for the new ball bowlers and spin coming into play in the middle overs. A score of 250 to 280 should be competitive.

Q. Who is the new Afghanistan captain, and why the change?
A. Rahmat Shah is Afghanistan’s new ODI captain, leading for the first time in this match. Hashmatullah Shahidi stepped down after a 3-0 series loss to India but remains in the squad as a batter.

Q. Is Mohammad Nabi playing for Afghanistan in this series?
A. No. Nabi has been left out of the squad, as he is currently playing in the Global Super League in Guyana. Mujeeb Ur Rahman also misses out through injury.

Q. Is there a rain threat for the IRE vs AFG match?
A. Yes, a real one. Forecasts show a rain chance between 40 and 55 percent in Bready on 5 August, so a delay or reduced overs are both possible.

Q. How many matches are in the Afghanistan tour of Ireland series?
A. Five ODIs in total. The first two are in Bready, on August 5 and 7, and the remaining three are in Belfast.