Afghanistan
Match Complete
Ireland
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After the most stunning of victories against England, Ireland seek to back up the win and move to the top of Group 1 with a win against Afghanistan at the MCG. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3pm (AEDT).
Hopefully the Irish have kept the partying to a minimum after their rain affected win against England on Wednesday night. With Australia also in a little trouble heading into the second part of the Super 12 phase, they now have a chance to advance even further in the tournament.
With the Aussies and England to do battle later tonight, a win for the Irish against a team over whom they will consider themselves a chance is simply a must. Against England, the Republic bowled, fielded and batted well, with rain eventually helping them out with just a few balls to spare.
Afghanistan are far from England’s level, yet did perform well against them last Saturday in poor conditions, pushed both Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the recent Asia Cup and beat Bangladesh in the early stages of that tournament.
Ibrahim Zadran and Usman Ghani will be vital for Afghanistan in the top order after solid knocks against England, and Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rashid Khan could well be potential match-winners with the ball.
Ireland will be hopeful of more excellent batting from captain Andy Balbirnie after his half-century against England, and will be keen to see more accurate and pressure bowling from Mark Adair in the early overs.
Hopefully some better weather greets the players in Melbourne after constant interruptions that have beset the early stages of the tournament, and the MCG stages what could be a vitally important match for Ireland’s chances of advancing beyond the group stage.
Prediction
This looks like a T20 International that could go either way, with the momentum of the Irish up against the guile of the Afghani bowling attack.
I’m going against the bookies in this one and expect to see Irish mouths smiling come the final ball of the match.
Game information
Venue: MCG
First ball: 3pm (AEDT)
TV: Fox Cricket
Live stream: Kayo Sports
Odds: Afghanistan $1.65, Ireland $2.25 – odds via PlayUp
Squads
Afghanistan
Mohammad Nabi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Darwish Rasooli, Farid Ahmad Malik, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Najibullah Zadran, Naveen-ul-Haq, Qais Ahmad, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rashid Khan, Salim Safi, Usman Ghani.
Ireland
Andy Balbirnie (c), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Fionn Hand, Graham Hume, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Conor Olphert, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
The best way of dealing with it would be to have greater control over the weather. Why don't they just stop it raining when cricket's on?
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the coverage Stu. See ya in an hour. Hopefully.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
If you can't stand bash and crash stuff, why comment on a site covering a bash and crash game? You haven't thought than one through Frank.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Imagine the rent he could have charged! Could have paid for the Tassie bid in one fell swoop. Missed opportunity.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for tuning in this afternoon and apologies for not being able to bring you any live cricket. Final Score Afghanistan vs Ireland MATCH ABANDONED due to wet weather.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Be sure to stick with the Roar for all the live coverage this evening, as what effectively looms as a knock-out match between the Aussies and English plays out at the MCG.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Hopefully the forecast is on the money and things do brighten a little near dusk and the Aussies and English can take to the field tonight in what will be a wet and soggy encounter between the old enemies.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
MATCH ABANDONED!!!! Sadly, there will be no play between Afghanistan and Ireland this afternoon.
josh
Roar Rookie
Marvel Stadium enters the chat. Wouldn't Gil love that, the AFL swoops in the save the day.
Marty
Roar Rookie
You’d think with the amount money involved they be able to have it on standby at least. I’m sure there would be some logistics involved in shifting crowds (if it was over 50k) etc but even worst case scenario and they play in front of no one it’s better than no game at all, plus you’ve got the tv audience.
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
Scissors, paper, rock!
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
Just checked with my mate who lives in Richmond. He confirmed it's wet.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Could be drawing straws. Unfortunate weather yet contingencies would have helped.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
There is no sign of play at the MCG at this stage, yet we remain hopeful and the forecast suggests the conditions will improve somewhat as the sun begins to set. Whether we manage a game prior to the Australia vs England clash is doubtful, yet we live in hope.
JGK
Roar Guru
What happens when it rains for three days for the final?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Long term scheduling aside, it does feel very frustrating doesn't it? Could be in the middle of a cricket match right now had that stadium been included in the tournament with the view to a protection against potential weather.
Marty
Roar Rookie
So it’s raining in Melbourne. Wow, who could have possibly predicated that? If only they had a stadium with a roof just around the corner that is perfectly capable of hosting T20 cricket and a crowd of 50k+? Oh well, maybe one day…
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Unfortunately, there appears to be little respite in the conditions and we still await the start of play between Afghanistan and Ireland. Plenty of time for a result, with 5.30 ish looking like the breaking point in terms of time.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Move the tournament to Perth. Dry as. WACA & Perth Stadium. Discount airfares plus we have plenty of hotel rooms and the unused quarantine facility
Frank delosa
Guest
If tonights match ends up being a 5 over v 5 over affair I am boycotting the rest of the tournmanet, even in AUS (unlikley) win. I cannot stand these pathetic crash and bash affairs, 20 overs is ok i guess but anything less is pure buffoonery set up for the tiktok generation. Its all about concentration people, even my mate Don Freo knows that. We spoke about it last night over dinner at the BBQ Pitt in Kalgoorlie (WA).