Ireland v Afghanistan, 2nd ODI preview: Bready, August 7, 2026

Ireland and Afghanistan meet in the second ODI of Afghanistan’s tour of Ireland on August 7, 2026, with the match scheduled to start at 3:15 PM IST at Bready Cricket Club in Northern Ireland; the first game of the series was a washout.

Ireland have recalled captain Paul Stirling after injury and also brought back all-rounder Mark Adair, while the hosts have blooded youngsters such as Jai Moondra, Liam McCarthy and Byron McDonough; for Afghanistan, Rahmat Shah’s first match as captain was washed out and the visitors are experimenting with combinations as they prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

The two sides have met in 33 ODIs to date: Afghanistan have 18 wins, Ireland 13, and two matches were washed out.

Weather and pitch conditions at Bready are forecast to be overcast on Friday with a maximum near 18°C and an average humidity of 65 percent; the ground’s surface is described as fresh with pace and bounce, historically favouring bowlers, and recent rain could slow the wicket and outfield, leading the preview to advise bowling first in these conditions.

Ireland’s named XI for the second ODI is Paul Stirling (C), Andrew Balbirnie, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (WK), Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Andy McBrine, Liam McCarthy, Mark Adair, Gavin Hoey and Byron McDonough; listed wicket-keepers include Lorcan Tucker.

Afghanistan’s side is named as Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmat Shah (C), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Ikram Alikhil, Nangialai Kharoti, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Yamin Ahmadzai; Rahmanullah Gurbaz is listed among the wicket-keepers.

The article’s Dream11 suggestions group players by role and recommend captain and vice-captain options: wicket-keepers — Lorcan Tucker, Rahmanullah Gurbaz; all-rounders — Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, George Dockrell, Andy McBribe, Curtis Campher; bowlers — Mark Adair, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar; Captain First-Choice: Mark Adair, Captain Second-Choice: Rashid Khan, Vice-Captain First-Choice: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Vice-captain Second-Choice: Paul Stirling. An alternate set of fantasy leaders is also provided: Captain First-Choice: Azmatullah Omarzai, Captain Second-Choice: Ibrahim Zadran, Vice-Captain First-Choice: George Dockreel, Vice-captain Second-Choice: Lorcan Tucker.

Despite Ireland’s home familiarity, the preview notes concerns over the inexperience of their bowling attack and concludes by backing Afghanistan to win the second ODI.

The second ODI of the Afghanistan tour of Ireland 2026 will take place on August 7 (Friday) at Bready Cricket Club in Northern Ireland.