Ireland vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI Preview and Predicted Playing XIs

Following a frustrating washout in the opening ODI, Ireland and Afghanistan return to action in the second One-Day International at Bready Cricket Club, Magheramason, on Friday, August 7. With the five-match series still level at 0-0, both teams will be eager to make the first breakthrough and gain early momentum.

Ireland vs Afghanistan 1st ODI Recap

1st ODI (August 5, 2026 – Bready) – Match abandoned without a ball bowled due to persistent rain.

Ireland vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI Predicted Playing XIs

Ireland Predicted XI

Paul Stirling (C), Andrew Balbirnie, Lorcan Tucker (WK), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Andy McBrine, Mark Adair, Graham Hume, Craig Young, Barry McCarthy

Afghanistan Predicted XI

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah (C), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sediqullah Atal, Ikram Alikhil, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Allah Ghazanfar

Ireland vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI Key Player Battles

Paul Stirling vs Rashid Khan

Ireland's captain will have to negotiate Rashid Khan's world-class leg spin if the hosts are to build a competitive total.

Mark Adair vs Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Adair leads Ireland's pace attack in Joshua Little's absence and will look to make early inroads against the explosive Afghan opener.

Harry Tector vs Allah Ghazanfar

Tector's composure in the middle order will be tested by the young off-spinner, who continues to impress with his control and variations.

Ibrahim Zadran vs Barry McCarthy

McCarthy's disciplined seam bowling against Zadran's patient approach could shape Afghanistan's start at the top of the order.

Ireland vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI Preview

The second ODI offers both teams a fresh opportunity after rain washed out the series opener.

Ireland welcomes back captain Paul Stirling, who returns after recovering from injury, but the absence of Joshua Little leaves a significant gap in their pace attack. Afghanistan, meanwhile, begins a new chapter under Rahmat Shah's leadership in the ODI format, with Mohammad Nabi rested for the tour.

The Bready surface is expected to assist seamers during the opening overs because of lingering moisture from recent rain. If Ireland's fast bowlers capitalize on those conditions, they can put Afghanistan under early pressure. However, if Afghanistan's top order survives the new ball, Rashid Khan and their spin attack could take control during the middle overs.

With the series still without a result, both sides know that victory here would provide a valuable advantage heading into the remaining matches.

Watch Ireland vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI Live on tapmad

Catch every ball of the IRE vs AFG 2nd ODI live on tapmad. Stream the match in real time and follow all the action as both teams battle for the first victory of the five-match ODI series.