Ireland has canceled the men’s series against Afghanistan due to financial reasons, but will host series against England and the West Indies. The women’s team has a busy schedule planned with matches against Zimbabwe and Pakistan, along with ICC World Cup qualifiers.
Ireland’s men’s cricket team has made the decision to cancel the upcoming multi-format series against Afghanistan due to financial constraints. Originally, the team was set to engage in one Test match, three One Day Internationals (ODIs), and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20s) as per the Men’s Future Tours Programme.
Despite the cancellation of the Afghanistan series, Ireland’s men’s team will host their inaugural home T20I series against England in September, alongside ODI and T20 series against the West Indies scheduled for May and June. This year’s decision to forgo the Afghanistan series reflects a careful management strategy to address short-term budgetary limitations while adhering to the necessity for balanced investment across all strategic objectives of the Board.
Warren Deutrom, Chief Executive of Cricket Ireland, emphasized the importance of this decision, stating that it is crucial for maintaining the financial health of the organization. Nonetheless, he assured fans that they will be able to witness some of the world’s premier cricketers competing on Irish soil.
In addition to the men’s matches, Ireland’s women’s cricket team will host Zimbabwe for a series of three T20s and two ODIs in July and will face Pakistan in three ODIs the following month. They are also set to participate in two ICC World Cup qualifier tournaments within the year, featuring matches against several teams from April 9 to April 18.
In summary, Ireland’s men have prioritized their financial stability by canceling the series against Afghanistan while still gearing up for significant matches against England and the West Indies. The women’s team is actively engaged in a robust schedule that includes international series and World Cup qualifiers, ensuring that cricket remains competitive and vibrant in Ireland despite the current financial challenges.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
