Ireland national cricket team hosts Afghanistan national cricket team in the 2nd ODI of the five-match series on August 7, 2026, looking to take early momentum after rain washed out the opening game without a ball being bowled. The Irishmen come into the series missing key pace options like Josh Little and Craig Young due to injury, putting extra workload on all-rounder Mark Adair and the senior core. Meanwhile, Afghanistan, under newly appointed ODI skipper Rahmat Shah, boasts a star-studded lineup featuring top-ranked white-ball players alongside experienced match winners like Ibrahim Zadran. With crucial ranking points at stake and overcast English conditions playing a massive role, both sides will look to execute their plans effectively in Magheramason.
IRE vs AFG 2nd ODI: Date, Time, Venue, Where to Watch And More
- Match: Ireland vs Afghanistan, 2nd ODI
- Date: Friday, August 7, 2026
- Time: 3:15 PM IST / 10:45 AM Local
- Venue: Bready Cricket Club, Magheramason
- Live Streaming: FanCode app and website
Bready Cricket Club Pitch Report
The surface at the venue is known to generally assist the seamers in the initial period.
Damp English weather aids in lateral movement, and it will aid the seamers with helpful assistance off the pitch. Bowlers who bowl with pace will aim to find late swing and bounce in the initial powerplay. However, as soon as the batters see off the difficult opening phase, the surface settles down well, which can help stroke makers play through the line. Spinners will find some turn as the game heads into the middle overs, but staying disciplined with the line and lengths would be ideal.
Predicted XIs
Ireland Predicted XI:
Paul Stirling (c), Andrew Balbirnie, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Ben Calitz, Mark Adair, Andy McBrine, Gavin Hoey, Liam McCarthy.
Afghanistan Predicted XI:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ikram Alikhil, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Allah Ghazanfar.
Captain And Vice-Captain Choices
Captain Choice: Ibrahim Zadran
The star Afghanistan opener enters the series as one of the most reliable top-order batters in international cricket, currently holding the number five spot in the ICC ODI Batting Rankings.
Vice-Captain Choice: Azmatullah Omarzai
The dynamic all-round performer has turned into a vital asset for Afghanistan in white-ball cricket. Omarzai brings high utility with both bat and ball, capable of striking power-packed boundaries in the middle to death overs while bowling critical seam overs during powerplay phases.
Alternative Choice: Harry Tector
The cornerstone of Ireland’s batting lineup, Harry Tector, sits among the top ten ODI batters in the global rankings. Tector has consistently performed as Ireland’s primary run scorer against top nation attacks, averaging nearly 45 in the format.
WI AFG 2nd ODI: Toss Prediction
Toss Winner: Ireland
Decision: Bowl First
Reason: The persistent overcast weather and heavy atmospheric moisture at Bready Cricket Club provide significant assistance to fast bowlers in the first hour.
Who Will Win Today’s 2nd ODI Match Between Ireland And Afghanistan?
Afghanistan enters the second ODI as clear favorites to secure a victory over Ireland. While the hosts possess home advantage, their bowling unit is currently depleted due to injuries to primary seamers like Josh Little and Craig Young. In contrast, Afghanistan features a well-rounded lineup loaded with premier match winners, including Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Rashid Khan.
