IRE vs AFG Fantasy Prediction, 5th ODI: Ireland vs Afghanistan Fantasy Team, Playing XI, Pitch Report, Belfast

Afghanistan have already won this series, and they’ve done it in style. Three straight victories have sealed it, capped by a record breaking 343/9 in the fourth ODI, the highest total ever recorded at this Belfast ground. Rahmat Shah’s first series as captain could hardly have gone better. With the final game now set to decide the fantasy cricket outlook, the IRE vs AFG 5th ODI Fantasy Team becomes an important focus for fantasy players. Ireland, led by Paul Stirling, are left playing for pride in the final match, looking to avoid a whitewash on home soil.

IRE vs AFG Match Details

Match: Ireland vs Afghanistan, 5th ODI, Afghanistan tour of Ireland 2026
Date: Friday, 14 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 all three completed matches of this series and are unbeaten on this tour. They posted 299/8 to win the second ODI comfortably, edged a tense third ODI by defending 207, then produced the standout performance of the series in the fourth, racking up 343/9 and beating Ireland by 42 runs despite the hosts making a respectable 301. Ireland have lost four in a row now, and while 301 in the last match showed their batting can produce, their bowlers have struggled to contain a confident Afghanistan top order.

Series Context

Afghanistan have taken an unassailable lead in this five match series, so the trophy is already decided. This final ODI is about pride for Ireland and about Afghanistan completing a clean sweep. Both sides still have World Cup Super League points at stake, so there’s more riding on it than a typical dead rubber.

IRE vs AFG Head to Head Record

Afghanistan have dominated this fixture completely, winning nine of the last 10 meetings. All three matches on this tour have gone their way, and their two most recent wins before this series, in the UAE in 2024, were also comfortable. Ireland’s solitary win in the last 10 came a while back, and finding a way to break that pattern in Belfast would mean a great deal to Stirling’s side.

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), Benjamin Calitz (wk), Harry Tector, Byron McDonough, Cade Carmichael, Andy McBrine, George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gavin Hoey, Jai Moondra, Liam McCarthy.

Afghanistan: Rahmat Shah captains the side, having taken 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 49 percent of matches here against 38 percent for the team batting first, across 37 games. The average first innings score is 196, though this series has blown well past that. Afghanistan’s 343/9 in the fourth ODI is now the highest total ever recorded at the ground, and Ireland’s 301 in reply was the highest score they’ve managed here too. The surface has been excellent for batting throughout this tour.

Weather Report

Friday in Belfast looks reasonable, with a high near 67°F (19°C) and around a 20 percent chance of rain. There has been some light drizzle around in recent days, so it’s worth a check before the toss, though a full 50 over match looks likely.

IRE vs AFG 5th ODI Fantasy Team Key Players Recent Form

Ireland (IRE)

Andrew Balbirnie: ( 109 Runs, 7 Runs, 36 Runs, )
Gavin Hoey: ( 2 Wickets, 36 Runs & 4 Wickets, 1 Wicket, )
Mark Adair: ( 12 Runs & 2 Wickets, 4 Runs & 2 Wickets, 2 Wickets, )
Paul Stirling: ( 27 Runs, 23 Runs, 5 Runs, )
Cade Carmichael: ( 5 Runs, 32 Runs, 62 Runs, )
Curtis Campher: 84 Runs,

Afghanistan (AFG)

Rashid Khan: ( 11 Runs & 3 Wickets, 37 Runs & 3 Wickets, 6 Wickets, )
Azmatullah Omarzai: ( 15 Runs & 2 Wickets, 13 Runs & 1 Wicket, 33 Runs & 2 Wickets, )
Sediqullah Atal: ( 143 Runs, 27 Runs, 45 Runs, )
Ibrahim Zardan: ( 107 Runs, 12 Runs, 84 Runs, )
Rahmanullah Gurbaz: ( 12 Runs, 71 Runs, 32 Runs, )
Yamin Ahmadzai: ( 4 Wickets, 2 Wickets, )
Am Ghazanfar: ( 1 Wicket, 3 Wickets, 0 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 attacks from the first ball, and Farooqi’s left arm pace with the new ball has caused Ireland problems throughout this series. Getting through the opening spell is Ireland’s first task.

Harry Tector vs Rashid Khan: Tector is Ireland’s most reliable middle order batter, and Rashid’s leg spin has been central to Afghanistan’s control in this series. This is the contest that could decide whether Ireland post a competitive total.

Ibrahim Zadran vs Mark Adair: Zadran has been in fine touch at the top for Afghanistan, and Adair leads an Ireland attack that badly needs early wickets after conceding 343 last time out.

IRE vs AFG 5th ODI Fantasy Team

Wicketkeepers: Rahmanullah Gurbaz,

Batters: Ibrahim Zardan, Harry Tector, Andrew Balbirnie (Vc), Sediqullah Atal, Cade Carmichael,

All-rounders: Azmatullah Omarzai (C), Curtis Campher,

Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Mark Adair, Gavin Hoey,

Rashid Khan gets the captaincy as one of the best bowlers in the world and a player central to Afghanistan’s series win. Zadran is vice captain given the runs he has scored on this tour, on a ground that has produced huge totals. The rest of the team balances both top orders with the bowlers most likely to bowl their full quota, since a 50 over match rewards players who stay involved across the whole innings.

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

Match Prediction

Afghanistan have been the better side in every single match of this series and go into the finale with the trophy already secured. Rahmat Shah’s captaincy debut has been a success, the top order is scoring heavily, and Rashid Khan has been controlling the middle overs. Ireland showed real fight with the bat in the fourth ODI, posting 301, so they’re capable of a much improved performance in front of their home crowd. But on everything this series has shown, Afghanistan are the pick to complete the sweep.

IRE vs AFG 5th ODI Fantasy Team FAQs

Q. Who will win the IRE vs AFG 5th ODI today?
A. Afghanistan are strong favourites. They’ve won every completed match of this series, including a record 343/9 in the fourth ODI, though Ireland will be desperate to avoid a whitewash at home.

Q. Have Afghanistan already won the series?
A. Yes. Afghanistan have taken an unassailable lead with three straight wins, so the series is already decided. This final match is about whether they complete a clean sweep.

Q. What is the IRE vs AFG Fantasy prediction for the 5th ODI?
A. Rashid Khan and Ibrahim Zadran are the top picks, with Rahmat Shah, Harry Tector and Azmatullah Omarzai also strong options.

Q. What is the pitch report for Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast?
A. Teams bowling first have won 49 percent of matches here. The average first innings score is 196, but this series has been far more productive, with Afghanistan’s 343/9 the highest total ever recorded at the ground.

Q. Is Mujeeb Ur Rahman playing for Afghanistan in this match?
A. No. He remains out injured for this series. Mohammad Nabi is also 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. Not much of one. The forecast for Belfast on 14 August shows around a 20 percent chance of rain, so a full match looks likely.