Ireland play Afghanistan in the fifth T20 International on August 17 at Stormont in Belfast from 8:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).

The Afghan cricket team beat Ireland by 27 runs in the 4th T20I and leveled the five-match series 2-2. The Afghans posted 132 runs in their first innings thanks to a 24-ball half-century by Najibullah Zadran and Rashid Khan’s cameo of 31 runs. Gareth Delany was the standout bowler for the Irish side as he finished with figures of 3/33 in his three overs.

The Irish cricket team were skittled out for just 105 runs in their courtesy of a clinical bowling performance from Afghanistan. Fareed Ahmed picked three wickets for the Afghans while Rashid Khan and Naveen-ul-Haq picked two wickets each. For Ireland, George Dockrell top-scored with 41 runs. Ireland are currently 14th on ICC Men’s T20 Team Rankings while Afghanistan are 10th.

Ireland vs Afghanistan 5th T20I odds

Betway odds: Ireland: 2.50, Afghanistan: 1.45

Betwinner odds: Ireland: 2.76, Afghanistan: 1.448

Bet365 odds: Ireland: 2.75, Afghanistan: 1.44

MELBET odds: Ireland: 2.76, Afghanistan: 1.448

Note: Odds are subject to change. Please visit betting sites to check and confirm the latest odds.

Ireland vs Afghanistan head-to-head in T20Is

Ireland have won six while Afghanistan have won 16 out of their 22 matches against each other in this format so far.

Ireland have won two out of their last five matches in T20Is whereas Afghanistan have won three out of their last five.

Afghanistan beat Ireland 2-0 in their previous T20I series in 2020.

Ireland vs Afghanistan 5th T20I probable playing XI

Ireland: Andrew Balbirnie (captain), Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wicketkeeper), Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Fionn Hand, Simi Singh, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Josh Little. 

Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Ibrahim Zadrani, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi (captain), Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan, Naveen ul Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Fareed Ahmed.

Ireland vs Afghanistan 5th T20I top picks

Ireland: Watch out for Andrew Balbirnie in this encounter. Balbirnie has scored 1648 runs in 78 T20Is at an average of 23.54. The 31-year-old batter also scored seven half-centuries and has a strike rate of 126.18 in the format. The right-handed batter has scored 113 runs in this series at an average of 28.25.

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbazz will be the top pick from the Afghan side. The wicketkeeper batter has scored 104 runs this series at an average of 26.00. Gurbaz has scored his runs at a strike rate of 144.44 and has a top score of 53. 

Ireland vs Afghanistan 5th T20I prediction

Afghanistan are clear favourites going into the game against Ireland as the visitors have a better head-to-head record against the hosts. They have made a strong comeback after being 2-0 down after the first two matches and will carry the momentum into the final match of the series.

Ireland have lost their way in the last two matches and will face the heat against a strong Afghanistan side. However, the Irish have a bunch of talented players in their squad and will make it extremely difficult for the visitors.

Ireland vs Afghanistan 5th T20I playing conditions and weather report

Maximum Temperature: 18°C

Precipitation: 10%

Humidity: 69%

Wind: 10 km/h