IRE vs AFG Dream11 Prediction, 1st ODI: Playing XI, Pitch Report, and Two New Captaincy Eras

khelworld.inAugust 5, 2026

28 4 minutes read

IRE vs AFG Dream11 Prediction: Ireland host Afghanistan in the 1st ODI of a five-match series at Bready Cricket Club, Magheramason, on Wednesday, August 5, with the match starting at 10:45 AM local time (3:15 PM IST). Both sides walk into this series under new leadership, with a spot in the 2027 ODI World Cup Qualifier picture at stake. Here is the full IRE vs AFG Dream11 prediction, covering match details, pitch report, playing XI, and the leadership changes shaping both camps.

IRE vs AFG Match Details

Match: Ireland vs Afghanistan, 1st ODI, Afghanistan tour of Ireland 2026
Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Time: 10:45 AM local (3:15 PM IST)
Venue: Bready Cricket Club, Magheramason
Live Streaming: FanCode app (no live TV coverage confirmed in India)

Two New Eras: The Story Behind This Series

Both sides come into this series with fresh leadership. Ireland’s Paul Stirling returns to the captaincy after missing the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 through injury, and this series marks Ireland’s first ODI action in 15 months, with new head coach Gary Wilson taking charge for the first time. Afghanistan, meanwhile, are led by Rahmat Shah for the first time after Hashmatullah Shahidi stepped down from the captaincy — though Shahidi remains in the squad as a batter. Rahmanullah Gurbaz takes over as vice-captain and wicketkeeper. Mohammad Nabi opted out of the tour, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman was left out through injury, while seamers Fazalhaq Farooqi and Yamin Ahmadzai return from lengthy ODI absences to strengthen the pace attack.

Afghanistan arrive on the back of a 0-3 series defeat to India and will be keen to start Rahmat’s tenure with a strong result, while also holding a clearly superior head-to-head record over Ireland — including a 3-0 series win the last time these two sides met in ODIs, in the UAE in 2024.

IRE vs AFG Pitch Report

Bready has hosted only one previous men’s ODI, back in 2019, when Ireland successfully chased down 255 against Zimbabwe, with Mark Adair taking a four-wicket haul and Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie both among the runs. The surface is expected to offer a flat, batting-friendly deck, though with some early movement for seamers under overcast morning conditions — the forecast points to roughly a 40% chance of rain around the game. A total in the 250-270 range is likely to prove competitive, with the side winning the toss expected to bat first given how tricky chasing can become in changeable Irish conditions.

IRE vs AFG Probable Playing XI

Ireland (Probable XI): Paul Stirling (c), Andrew Balbirnie, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Mark Adair, Gavin Hoey, Andrew McBrine, Liam McCarthy, Jai Moondra

Afghanistan (Probable XI): Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah (c), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sediqullah Atal, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharote, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi

Probable XIs are based on official squad announcements and may change ahead of the toss.

IRE vs AFG Players to Watch

Best Batting Picks: Ibrahim Zadran’s consistency at the top of the order and Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s explosive strokeplay give Afghanistan a dangerous opening pair, while Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie offer Ireland vast international experience to build around.

Best Bowling Picks: Fazalhaq Farooqi’s pace and swing could prove decisive in English-like conditions at Bready, while Rashid Khan remains one of the format’s premier match-winners with both bat and ball. For Ireland, Mark Adair’s new-ball threat is backed up by the control of Andrew McBrine and Gavin Hoey through the middle overs.

IRE vs AFG Dream11 Prediction: Suggested Composition

With Bready expected to offer a good batting surface, a balanced IRE vs AFG Dream11 team should combine both top orders with genuine wicket-taking bowling options:

Wicketkeeper: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG) or Lorcan Tucker (IRE)
Batters: Ibrahim Zadran (AFG), Paul Stirling (IRE), Andrew Balbirnie (IRE), Rahmat Shah (AFG)
All-Rounders: Azmatullah Omarzai (AFG), Rashid Khan (AFG), Curtis Campher (IRE)
Bowlers: Fazalhaq Farooqi (AFG), Mark Adair (IRE), Andrew McBrine (IRE)

Captain and Vice-Captain Picks: Rashid Khan is the standout captaincy option given his all-round match-winning ability, with Paul Stirling a strong vice-captain pick as he returns to lead Ireland with a point to prove after missing the T20 World Cup.

Dream11 credit values change on a match-by-match basis and are updated on the app closer to the toss, so always confirm final credits and team combinations on the Dream11 app before finalising your team.

IRE vs AFG Today Match Prediction

Afghanistan’s superior head-to-head record and greater depth in both batting and bowling make them favourites to begin Rahmat Shah’s captaincy tenure with a win, despite their recent whitewash against India. Ireland, however, have home advantage and a settled top order under a returning Paul Stirling, and a batting-friendly Bready surface could make this a much closer contest than the recent history between these two sides suggests.

IRE vs AFG FAQs

Where is the IRE vs AFG 1st ODI being played?
The match is being played at Bready Cricket Club in Magheramason, Northern Ireland.

What time does the IRE vs AFG match start?
The match starts at 10:45 AM local time (3:15 PM IST) on August 5, 2026.

Who are the new captains for this series?
Paul Stirling captains Ireland, returning after injury ruled him out of the T20 World Cup. Rahmat Shah captains Afghanistan for the first time, having taken over from Hashmatullah Shahidi.

Who should I pick as captain for my IRE vs AFG Dream11 team?
Rashid Khan (AFG) is the leading captaincy pick given his all-round threat, with Paul Stirling (IRE) a strong vice-captain option.

Disclaimer: This IRE vs AFG Dream11 prediction is intended for informational purposes and is based on publicly available team news, squad announcements, and pitch reports as of August 4, 2026. Playing XIs are probable line-ups and may change ahead of the toss — always verify final teams before submitting your fantasy squad. This article does not promote or facilitate paid fantasy contests.