3 weeks ago
Ireland Face Afghanistan In Second ODI At Rain-Threatened Bready
Ireland and Afghanistan are cricket teams that play each other in a series of five games.
The very first game was cancelled because it rained too much, so nobody got to play.
Now they are trying again for the second game in a place called Bready.
These games are important because teams earn points that help them qualify for the Cricket World Cup, a big tournament.
Afghanistan currently has the last spot that lets a team go straight to the World Cup.
Ireland is lower in the rankings, so they will have to play extra qualifying games.
Afghanistan has a brand new captain named Rahmat Shah, who is leading the team for the first time.
Ireland's captain, Paul Stirling, is back from an injury to lead his team.
Afghanistan's best bowler, Rashid Khan, just took five wickets in a big game in England.
Everyone is hoping the rain stays away so the match can finally happen.
The first ODI of the five-match series was abandoned without a ball bowled due to persistent rain, with both teams returning to Bready for the second match.
Afghanistan sit eighth in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League standings, the final automatic qualification spot for the 2027 ODI World Cup, while Ireland are 12th and confirmed for the Qualifiers.
Rahmat Shah begins his tenure as Afghanistan's ODI captain following Hashmatullah Shahidi's decision to step down.
Paul Stirling returns from injury to lead an injury-hit Ireland side, with disciplined seam bowling expected to play a central role in home conditions.
Afghanistan hold an 18-13 overall ODI head-to-head advantage and have won the last two bilateral series, though the 2019 five-match series in India ended 2-2.
Team form in the last five completed ODIs: Ireland LWLWL, Afghanistan LLLWW.
- Who
- Cricket teams Ireland and Afghanistan, with Paul Stirling captaining a home side and Rahmat Shah leading Afghanistan as ODI captain for the first time.
- What
- The second ODI of a five-match series, after the opening match was washed out without a ball being bowled.
- Where
- Bready Cricket Ground in Ireland, with later series matches scheduled at Stormont.
- When
- August 5, 2026.
- Why
- Both teams are chasing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League qualification points, with Afghanistan aiming to protect the final automatic spot for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Key facts
- Series
- Five-match ODI series (2nd match)
- First ODI result
- Abandoned without a ball bowled due to rain
- Venue
- Bready Cricket Ground; later matches at Stormont
- Super League standings
- Afghanistan 8th, Ireland 12th
- 2027 World Cup qualification
- Automatic spot for 8th place; Ireland confirmed for Qualifiers
- Captains
- Ireland: Paul Stirling; Afghanistan: Rahmat Shah (newly appointed)
- ODI head-to-head
- Afghanistan lead 18-13
- Form (last 5 ODIs)
- Ireland LWLWL; Afghanistan LLLWW











