Fantasy: Tector, Rashid could prove to be massive picks

Ireland will take on Afghanistan in the second Twenty20 International of the five-match series at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on Thursday (August 11). In the first T20I, Andrew Balbirnie and Co. chased down the target of 169 with seven wickets remaining. The skipper led from the front and found good support from the likes of Paul Stirling, Lorcan Tucker, Harry Tector and George Dockrell.

Ground details

The Civil Service Cricket Club has hosted four T20Is this year and the batters here have scored runs at an average of 24.6, while a wicket has fallen every 17.4 deliveries. The spinners here have slightly better numbers in 2022, averaging 21.7 and picking up a wicket every 17.3 deliveries, while the corresponding numbers for fast bowlers are 26.1 and 18 respectively.

Suggested team

While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.

Captaincy suggestions

For small leagues: Harry Tector (c), Usman Ghani (vc)

For grand leagues: Rashid Khan (c), George Dockrell (vc)

Stats that matter

In 2022, Harry Tector has clearly been Ireland's best batter in the shortest format of the game, having scored 314 runs in 12 innings at an average of 34.89 and a strike rate of 135.3. 

Usman Ghani, who crafted a half-century in the first encounter, has scores of 59, 2, 1, 47, 39 and 49 in his last six T20I innings.

In T20Is, Joshua Little has picked up the third-most number of wickets in 2022. The left-arm seamer has claimed 22 wickets in 14 innings at a strike rate of 14.8. He hasn’t gone wicketless in his last 11 T20Is.

Grand league punts

Ireland simply played out Rashid Khan in the first T20I but we all know what he is capable of. The legspinner has a super record against Ireland in T20Is, having scalped 34 wickets in 14 innings at a strike rate of just 9.

George Dockrell is someone who could fetch you points in all facets of the game. In 2022, he has scored 201 runs in 13 innings at an average of 20.1 and a strike rate of 143.6. The left-arm spinner has also started bowling again and claimed two wickets in the first T20I.

Probable XIs

Ireland: Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie (c), Lorcan Tucker (wk), Harry Tector, Gareth Delany, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little.

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Usman Ghani, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooq.