Ireland's men's cricket team has decided to cancel its scheduled multi-format home series against Afghanistan due to financial constraints. The series, part of the ICC Men's Future Tours Programme (FTP), was set to feature one Test, three ODIs, and three T20Is. Cricket Ireland's (CI) decision was purely financial and not political, as Ireland continues to tackle budgetary constraints while managing a busy international calendar.
The cancellation was made despite Ireland attaining Full Member status with the ICC in 2017. The Irish side has so far played ten Test matches, hosting only two, and recently secured its maiden Test win against Afghanistan in the UAE in 2024. Despite their growth, financial sustainability remains challenging due to infrastructure limitations and high operational costs associated with hosting a full-fledged international series.
CEO Warren Deutrom said the decision to call off the Afghanistan series was necessary due to short-term budgetary pressures and to maintain balanced investment across Cricket Ireland’s priorities. He clarified that the move was unrelated to political issues, such as Australia and England’s decisions to avoid bilateral cricket with Afghanistan due to human rights concerns.
"One planned series that won't go ahead for financial reasons is against Afghanistan. This decision is part of our management of short-term budgetary constraints, as well as our requirement to comply with the Board's mandate to deliver balanced investment across the organisation's strategic objectives," Deutrom said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Ireland to host West Indies in an ODI & T20I series
Despite the Afghanistan series cancellation, Ireland’s international calendar is packed. The Men's senior team will host the West Indies in an ODI and T20I series in May and June, followed by a historic first-ever home T20I series against England in September.
Meanwhile, the Women's team will compete in the 50-over World Cup Qualifier in April, facing teams like Pakistan, West Indies, and Bangladesh. Additionally, Zimbabwe Women will tour Ireland in July, followed by a T20 series against Pakistan Women in August.
Ireland Wolves, the country's A-team, will play Afghanistan A in a series of matches in Abu Dhabi, ensuring that cricketing engagements between the two nations remain at the developmental level. Ireland’s Men’s team will also compete in the European T20 Premier League alongside Scotland and the Netherlands in July.
The long-term financial stability of Irish cricket is expected to improve with the planned development of a permanent international stadium in Dublin. Approved by the Irish government in August 2023, the project is expected to be completed by 2028 and is designed to strengthen he national team's preparation for co-hosting the 2030 ICC T20 World Cup alongside England and Scotland.
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