Afghanistan are set to clash against Ireland in the second T20I of the three-match series on Sunday (March 17) at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah.

In the first encounter, Ireland clinched a commanding victory by 38 runs, with Ben White emerging as Afghanistan’s batting  chief destroyer, claiming four wickets and rightfully earning the Player of the Match title. Eager to extend their dominance, Ireland will aim to secure another win in the upcoming match to seize control of the series. Meanwhile, despite Rashid Khan showcasing his bowling prowess with a spell of 3/19 upon his return from injury, Afghanistan fell short of victory. Determined to bounce back, Afghanistan will strive to win the match and level the series, setting the stage for an intense decider.

T20I Stats and Records at Sharjah Cricket Stadium:

Total matches: 46
Matches won batting first: 26
Matches won bowling first: 20
Average first innings score: 143
Average second innings score: 120
Highest total recorded: 215/6 (20 Overs) by Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe
Lowest total recorded: 38/10 (10.4 Overs) by Hong Kong vs Pakistan
Highest score chased: 179/6 (19.1 Overs) by Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan
Lowest score defended: 142/7 (20 Overs) by West Indies vs Bangladesh

Sharjah Cricket Stadium Pitch Report:

The Sharjah Cricket Stadium, known for its short boundaries and typically slow pitch, presents a unique challenge for both batters and bowlers. Despite the pitch’s sluggish nature, the proximity of the boundaries often results in high-scoring matches. As a result, captains winning the toss often prefer to chase, leveraging the familiarity of the conditions and the potential for setting achievable run targets. This strategic choice reflects the importance of adapting to the pitch dynamics and maximizing scoring opportunities in matches held at this iconic venue.

Sharjah Weather Forecast:

Sharjah Weather Forecast (Image Source: Twitter)

For the second match between Afghanistan and Ireland in Sharjah on Sunday, the weather is anticipated to be rain-free, with no precipitation expected. However, there will be some cloud cover in the sky. The temperature is forecasted to reach around 29 degrees Celsius, with humidity levels hovering around 55%. Additionally, there will be a moderate wind speed of approximately 16 kmph

AFG vs IRE 2024, 2nd T20I; Probable Playing XI:

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediq Atal, Ijaz Ahmadzai, Azmat Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen Ul Haq, Fazal Haq Farooqi

Ireland: Andrew Balbirnie, Paul Stirling (c), Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Craig Young, Graham Hume, Joshua Little

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