In this IRE vs AFG match prediction for the 5th ODI of Afghanistan’s tour of Ireland, Afghanistan are the clear favourites at 55% win probability. Three consecutive wins, an in-form Sediqullah Atal who plundered 143 off 120 in the last match, and the all-round menace of Rashid Khan give Afghanistan a commanding edge. Ireland have lost four of their last five and desperately need a series finale revival. This preview covers the pitch, playing XI, head-to-head records, fantasy cricket tips, and full match predictions.
Ireland vs Afghanistan Match Details
Match | Ireland vs Afghanistan | 5th ODI | Afghanistan tour of Ireland 2026 |
Date | 15/08/2026 (Saturday) |
Time | BDT 3:45 PM / PKT 2:45 PM / INR 3:15 PM |
Format | ODI |
Venue | Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast |
Recent Performance | Ireland – L A L L L, Afghanistan – L A W W W |
IRE vs AFG Afghanistan tour of Ireland 2026: Live Streaming & Broadcast Info
The 5th ODI between Ireland and Afghanistan is available across multiple broadcast and streaming platforms globally. Check your region for live coverage details below.
- Pakistan: Tapmad
- India: FanCode
- Bangladesh: FanCode
- United Kingdom: Cricket Ireland Live (YouTube), TNT Sports
- USA & Canada: Willow TV
- Australia & New Zealand: Fox Sports (Australia) / Sky Sport NZ (New Zealand)
- Sri Lanka: FanCode
- Nepal: FanCode
- MENA: Cricbuzz TV
- Worldwide: Matches available via Sports Live Hub for global streaming access across regions.
Ireland vs Afghanistan Toss Prediction
Afghanistan are predicted to win the toss and elect to bat first at Stormont. Batting under Belfast’s overcast skies early can be tricky, but Afghanistan’s batting depth makes setting a target the smarter call. The pitch tends to offer more assistance to seamers under cloud cover in the first session, favouring bowling in conditions, but Afghanistan’s confidence with the bat currently overrides that concern. A 350+ target would be the aim.
Civil Service Cricket Club Pitch Report
Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast
Stormont’s Civil Service Cricket Club ground is a seam-friendly venue that rewards disciplined bowling, particularly when cloud cover is present in Belfast. The outfield is fast, encouraging stroke play once batters are set, and scores above 300 are achievable in 50-over cricket here. The pitch report indicates that early wickets could be decisive, the team batting first generally finds conditions easier in the middle overs as the ball gets older and the sun, if present, firms the surface.
Weather Report
Belfast in mid-August is typically cool and overcast, with temperatures hovering around 14–18°C during the afternoon start. Cloud cover is expected at Stormont, which could provide lateral movement for the seam bowlers in the powerplay overs. Dew is unlikely to be a factor given the cooler conditions, but any rain break could disrupt batting momentum significantly. Both teams should be prepared for a full 100-over contest under typical Irish summer skies.
IRE vs AFG Head-to-Head Records
Matches Played | 35 |
IRE Won | 13 |
AFG Won | 21 |
Tied | 0 |
No Result | 1 |
First-ever Fixture | July 3, 2010 |
Most-recent Fixture | August 12, 2026 |
Ireland vs Afghanistan Team Preview & Squads
Ireland
Paul Stirling leads a battered Irish unit that has managed just one win in five recent outings, and the pressure of captaincy is compounding as each defeat arrives. Stirling’s own batting at the top of the order is Ireland’s most reliable source of early runs, and a captain’s knock from him in this series decider would be exactly the galvanising moment his side so desperately needs.
Andy Balbirnie is Ireland’s most critical batting weapon in this fixture, the predicted top run-scorer and biggest six-hitter for the home side. His ability to construct a patient yet assertive innings gives Ireland’s batting structure the backbone it has lacked across recent losses. Every IRE vs AFG fantasy cricket tips analyst will anchor their squad around Balbirnie’s batting position. Harry Tector’s all-round ability to contribute vital middle-order runs and overs of medium pace adds crucial balance.
Mark Adair is Ireland’s standout bowling asset and the predicted top wicket-taker for the home side. His seam bowling under Belfast’s cloudy skies has historically troubled opposition top orders, and conditions at Stormont should suit him perfectly. The supporting cast of George Dockrell’s left-arm spin and Andy McBrine’s off-breaks will be pivotal if Ireland are to restrict an Afghanistan batting lineup that posted 343 in the last match.
Ireland Squad:
Ireland
Paul Stirling, Mark Adair, Andy Balbirnie, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Cade Carmichael, George Dockrell, Gavin Hoey, Andy McBrine, Liam McCarthy, Byron McDonough, Jai Moondra, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker
Afghanistan
Rahmat Shah captains an Afghanistan side brimming with confidence after three straight wins and a series lead. His measured captaincy, rotating Rashid Khan’s overs intelligently and building partnerships at the top, has been central to the tour’s success. Rahmat’s own calm presence at the crease in the middle order provides ballast when Afghanistan’s aggressive openers play their natural attacking game.
Sediqullah Atal is the form batter of the series, with his devastating 143 off 120 in the 4th ODI making him the most dangerous player on the pitch. Ibrahim Zadran, meanwhile, is the predicted top scorer and biggest six-hitter for Afghanistan in this fixture, a sign of just how deep Afghanistan’s batting resources run when even Atal’s heroics don’t earn him top billing in the prediction column. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran’s opening partnership has the firepower to deflate Ireland’s bowlers inside the powerplay.
Rashid Khan is the defining all-round force in this match, a wicket-taking spinner who can shift the momentum of an ODI single-handedly and a lower-order bat capable of contributing useful runs when needed. Yamin Ahmadzai leads the fast bowling charge as the predicted top wicket-taker for Afghanistan, and his pace at Stormont could be a decisive weapon. Fazalhaq Farooqi adds a potent second seam option, giving Afghanistan arguably the most complete bowling attack Ireland have faced all series.
Afghanistan Squad:
Afghanistan
Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Darwish Rasooli, Fazalhaq Farooqi, AM Ghazanfar, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ibrahim Zadran, Ikram Alikhil, Mohammad Saleem, Nangeyalia Kharote, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rashid Khan, Sediqullah Atal, Yamin Ahmadzai, Ziaur Rahman
IRE vs AFG Prediction
Event | Ireland | Afghanistan |
Toss Winner | – | Afghanistan |
Player of the Match | – | Ibrahim Zadran |
Top Run Scorer | Andy Balbirnie | Ibrahim Zadran |
Top Wicket Taker | Mark Adair | Yamin Ahmadzai |
Most Sixes | Andy Balbirnie | Ibrahim Zadran |
Predicted Score | 340+ | 350+ |
Win Probability | 45% | 55% |
Ireland vs Afghanistan Winning Prediction
Afghanistan are predicted to win this Ireland vs Afghanistan 5th ODI with a 55% win probability, powered by Ibrahim Zadran’s projected batting brilliance and Yamin Ahmadzai’s pace threat on a seam-friendly Stormont surface. Three wins on the bounce, a series already secured, and a squad oozing confidence, the numbers and the narrative both point to an Afghanistan victory. But Paul Stirling’s Ireland have home turf, a decent crowd, and nothing to lose at this point — sometimes that is the most dangerous combination in sport. Who calls it right today? Follow JeetBuzz for live ball-by-ball updates, player ratings, and the sharpest ODI fantasy cricket tips of the tour.
FAQ: Afghanistan tour of Ireland 2026 5th ODI
Q: What time does the Ireland vs Afghanistan 5th ODI start in IST?
A: The match starts at 3:15 PM IST on August 15, 2026.
Q: Where can I watch the Ireland vs Afghanistan 5th ODI live in the UK?
A: The match is available to stream live on Sports Live Hub (SLH).
Q: Who was the Player of the Match in the Ireland vs Afghanistan 4th ODI?
A: Sediqullah Atal of Afghanistan was the Player of the Match in the 4th ODI, scoring 143 off 120 balls.