IRE vs AFG Fantasy Prediction, 4th ODI: Ireland vs Afghanistan Fantasy Team, Playing XI, Pitch Report, Belfast

Afghanistan have found their groove in this series, winning both of the last two matches convincingly. Rahmat Shah’s first assignment as captain has gone about as well as it could have, and Afghanistan will look to extend their control of the series here. For those following the IRE vs AFG 4th ODI Fantasy Team, Afghanistan’s recent dominance will be an important factor to consider. Paul Stirling leads an Ireland side that badly needs a response, having lost their last two matches by wide margins.

IRE vs AFG Match Details

Match: Ireland vs Afghanistan, 4th ODI, Afghanistan tour of Ireland 2026
Date: Wednesday, 12 August 2026
Time: 3:15 PM IST (10:45 AM Local Time)
Venue: Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast
Live Streaming: FanCode

Recent Form

Afghanistan have won their last two matches in this series. They posted 299 in the 2nd ODI to beat Ireland by a wide margin, then successfully defended 207 in the 3rd ODI, bowling Ireland out for 206 with just four balls to spare in a tense finish. Ireland have lost both those games and badly need to turn things around. Their most recent win of any kind came against West Indies last year, so recent results have not gone their way.

Series Context

Afghanistan have won the two most recently completed matches of this five match series, putting them in firm control heading into this fourth ODI in Belfast. Ireland need a response here to keep the series alive and avoid Afghanistan wrapping it up early.

IRE vs AFG Head to Head Record

Afghanistan have dominated this fixture in recent years, winning eight of the last 10 meetings. Both matches played so far on this tour have gone Afghanistan’s way, and their most recent five meetings before this tour also went in their favour. Ireland’s challenge is finding a way to break that pattern on home soil.

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, Jai Moondra, Liam McCarthy.

Afghanistan: Rahmat Shah captains the side, leading for the first time in this series after taking over from Hashmatullah Shahidi, who stepped down but remains in the squad as a batter. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is vice captain and keeps wicket. Mujeeb Ur Rahman remains out injured, and Mohammad Nabi is still unavailable while playing in the Global Super League. 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

Civil Service Cricket Club has favoured the team bowling first, winning 50 percent of matches here against 36 percent for the team batting first. The average first innings score is a healthy 192, and this exact tour’s 3rd ODI set the highest total ever recorded at this ground, 305/7. Pace bowlers have had the better of it recently, taking around 58 percent of the wickets over the last 10 matches, though spin has played its part too.

Weather Report

Wednesday in Belfast looks clear and mild, with sunny skies, a temperature around 14.6°C (58°F), and only around a 3 percent chance of rain. A full match with no interruption risk looks very likely.

IRE vs AFG Fantasy Team Key Players Recent Form

Ireland (IRE)

Gavin Hoey: ( 36 Runs & 4 Wickets, 1 Wicket, )
Andrew Balbirnie: ( 7 Runs, 36 Runs, )
Paul Stirling: ( 23 Runs, 5 Runs, )
Cade Carmichael: ( 32 Runs, 62 Runs,
Benjamin Calitz: ( 20 Runs, 27 Runs, )
Mark Adair: ( 4 Runs & 2 Wickets, 2 Wickets, )

Afghanistan (AFG)

Rashid Khan: ( 37 Runs & 3 Wickets, 6 Wickets, )
Azmatullah Omarzai: ( 13 Runs & 1 Wicket, 33 Runs & 2 Wickets, )
Rahmanullah Gurbaz: ( 71 Runs, 32 Runs, )
Ibrahim Zardan: ( 12 Runs, 84 Runs, )
Sediqullah Atal: ( 27 Runs, 45 Runs, )
Am Ghazanfar: ( 3 Wickets, 0 Wickets, )
Yamin Ahmadzai: 2 Wickets,

Note: Player recent form is based on their latest appearances before the IRE vs AFG match and may be updated after the toss if required.

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 has troubled Ireland’s top order already this series.

Harry Tector vs Rashid Khan: Tector is Ireland’s most reliable batter in the middle overs, and Rashid’s leg spin has been the difference in both matches Afghanistan have won so far.

Rahmat Shah vs Andy McBrine: Shah has led well in his first series as captain, and McBrine’s off spin gives Ireland a chance to test him early.

IRE vs AFG 4th ODI Fantasy Team

Wicketkeepers: Rahmanullah Gurbaz,

Batters: Harry Tector, Andrew Balbirnie, Ibrahim Zadran,

All-rounders: Rashid Khan (C), Azmatullah Omarzai (VC), Cade Carmichael, AM Ghazanfar,

Bowlers: Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mark Adair, Gavin Hoey,

Rashid Khan gets the captaincy as one of the best bowlers in the world and a player who has been central to both of Afghanistan’s wins. 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 in this 50 over match.

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

Match Prediction

Afghanistan have been the better side in every completed match of this series so far, with Rashid Khan and the pace attack doing the damage with the ball and the top order delivering big totals when needed. Ireland have the home conditions and desperation to fall back on, but they’ll need a much improved performance to end Afghanistan’s run. Afghanistan are the clear pick to continue their control of the series.

IRE vs AFG 4th ODI Fantasy Team FAQs

Q. Who will win the IRE vs AFG 4th ODI today?
A. Afghanistan are favoured. They have won both of the last two matches convincingly and have dominated the head to head in recent years, though Ireland will be desperate for a response on home soil.

Q. What is the IRE vs AFG Fantasy prediction for the 4th 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 Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast?
A. Teams bowling first have won 50 percent of matches here. This exact tour’s 3rd ODI set the highest total ever recorded at this ground, 305/7, so big scores are possible.

Q. Is Mujeeb Ur Rahman playing for Afghanistan in this match?
A. No. He remains out injured for this series. Mohammad Nabi is also still unavailable, playing in the Global Super League instead.

Q. What is the probable Playing XI for IRE vs AFG?
A. Ireland should be led by Paul Stirling with Andrew Balbirnie and Harry Tector in the batting. Afghanistan will build around captain Rahmat Shah, Rashid Khan and Ibrahim Zadran. Final XIs are confirmed at the toss.

Q. Is there a rain threat for the IRE vs AFG match?
A. No. The forecast for Belfast on 12 August is sunny with only around a 3 percent chance of rain, so a full game is expected.