Ireland prepare for Afghanistan rematch

Defending champions Ireland will be aiming for their first victory in the 2009-10 ICC Intercontinental Cup when they go up against Afghanistan in Dambulla on Thursday.

Ireland, who won the tournament in 2005 and have remained champions ever since, currently sit in sixth place after drawing their two previous games, against Kenya and Scotland. In contrast, first-time entrant Afghanistan is in fourth position following a draw against Zimbabwe XI and a tense, come-from-behind one-wicket victory over the Netherlands August.

The two sides last met in the Super Eight stage of the World Cup 2009 Qualifier in South Africa, when Afghanistan successfully defended a modest total of 218 to beat eventual champions Ireland by 22 runs.

Nawroz Mengal, the Afghanistan captain, feels it's a result his side can take heart from when the teams meet for the four-day match starting on January 21. "Ireland is an experienced side with some quality cricketers. We respect it as much as we respect each and every opponent but the victory in the Qualifier has given us a lot of inspiration and confidence that we can do it again," he said.

"We'll try to translate that confidence by putting up a disciplined performance on the field which will strengthen our position not only in the tournament but also in world cricket as people do take notice of you when you perform or beat a highly-placed or more experienced side."

Kabir Khan, the Afghanistan coach and former Pakistan paceman, echoed Mengal's sentiments and feels that the chance to play against a strong Ireland team will help develop his inexperienced side. "We're still in learning stages and good performances always motivate a young side to do better and we are no different. We are a talented side and if we earn some more experience, we will be able to regularly challenge the top sides," he said.

"The more we will play against quality oppositions like Ireland, the better and quicker we'll learn. Collectively every team and individually every player have something to offer and you just need to be smart enough to learn things so that you can raise the level of your game."

Meanwhile, William Porterfield, the Ireland captain, acknowledged that the prospect of facing Afghanistan is now very different to what it once might have been. "We certainly respect Afghanistan as a team," said Porterfield. "They have proven time and again over the past couple of years that they are a good team and they fully deserve their place at this level.

"They beat us in the one-day format during the World Cup Qualifier , so we will not be taking them lightly. Their opening bowling attack is more than useful - it's capable of taking quick wickets. And they also have some good spinners so as batsmen we'll have to be at the top of our game. We don't fear Afghanistan but we do respect them.

"But we are the defending champions. We have won this tournament on the past three occasions and so we will be giving it everything we have to make it four in a row. We are confident and our preparation for this match has been very good. The boys are working hard and so we're looking forward to what should be a good, tough, hard-fought game of cricket."

After the Intercontinental Cup match, the two sides will remain in Sri Lanka and will be also joined by Canada as part of their preparations for the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2010.