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In a much-anticipated one-off Test, Afghanistan and Ireland are set to lock horns at the Tolerance Oval in Abu Dhabi, starting this Wednesday (February 28).
Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead the Afghan side, while Andrew Balbirnie takes the reins for Ireland. This will mark their second encounter in whites, with the first contest held in 2019 in Dehradun, India, where Afghanistan registered a convincing victory by seven wickets on the back of Rashid Khan‘s spin web.
Afghanistan’s resilience post-Sri Lanka defeat
Despite a recent setback in their solitary Test against Sri Lanka, Afghanistan remains undeterred and determined. The 10-wicket loss did little to dampen the spirits of the Afghan side, as they showcased remarkable resilience both with the bat and the ball. Now, fueled by the fighting spirit exhibited in adverse conditions, Afghanistan are poised to capitalize on their strengths. The team eyes a triumphant performance in the upcoming clash against Ireland, drawing confidence from their ability to bounce back and make a mark in conditions favourable to their game.
Ireland’s quest for redemption: Battling back from England defeat
Ireland, on the other hand, are on a redemption quest following their last Test appearance against England in June 2023, which ended in a 10-wicket defeat. The Irish team will be eager to turn the tide, putting forth a solid performance against an inexperienced Test side. With aspirations to secure a victory and assert themselves in the longer format, Ireland will see the upcoming clash against Afghanistan as an opportunity to make a resounding statement.
Also READ: Rashid Khan misses out as Afghanistan announces squad for the one-off Test against Ireland
Afghanistan v Ireland in UAE, 2024: One-Off Test
- February 28 to March 3: One- Off Test at the Tolerance Oval in Abu Dhabi, 11:30 am IST / 6:00 am GMT / 10:00 am local
Squads:
Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Ikram Alikhail (wk), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Noor Ali Zadran, Abdul Malik, Baheer Shah, Nasir Jamal, Karim Janat, Khalil Gurbaz, Zahir Khan, Zia Ur Rehman Akbar, Nijat Masoud, Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai and Naveed Zadran.
Ireland: Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie (c), Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Matthew Foster, Graham Hume, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, PJ Moor, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Theo van Woerkom, Craig Young
Broadcast and Live streaming details:
- India: Fan Code, Eurosport India
- Afghanistan: RTA Sports
- Ireland: Premier Sports TV
- Pakistan: Tapmad
