Toss Ireland chose to bowl v Afghanistan
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After being crushed by Afghanistan’s bowling might in the preceding T20I series, which they lost 2-0, Ireland captain William Porterfield decided that having a clear target in sight would be the way to go, as he opted to field in the first ODI against Afghanistan. Porterfield’s decision was perhaps influenced partially by the blustery weather in Belfast, as the Civil Service Cricket Club bore a thick cloud cover. The conditions are also expected to ease out for batting once the team batting first is past the initial struggle or two.
Niall O’Brien, Tim Murtagh and Andy McBrine were in for the home team. Afghanistan, on the other hand, were missing their talismanic opening batsman, with Shafiqullah donning the big gloves in his absence.
Afghanistan are coming into this series on a high, having dominated the T20Is, including a sound 81-run thrashing in the second game, before te third match was washed out.
Afghanistan (Playing XI): Hazratullah Zazai, Ihsanullah Janat, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Stanikzai (capt), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Shafiqullah Shafiq(w), Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Aftab Alam
Ireland (Playing XI): Paul Stirling, William Porterfield (capt), Gary Wilson, Andrew Balbirnie, Simi Singh, Kevin O Brien, Niall O’Brien (wk), Andy McBrine, Peter Chase, Tim Murtagh, Boyd Rankin
Source: ESPN Crickinfo