CRICKET: Ireland to host Afghanistan in record breaking ODI series

Ireland's head coach John Bracewell. Picture by Ryan Byrne\Inpho

Ireland have confirmed they will host Afghanistan in a five match One-Day International Series next July.

The matches will take place at Stormont, with the games scheduled for July 10, 12, 14, 17 and 19 at the Belfast venue.

It promises to be one of the busiest summer campaigns on record for the Irish with the ground breaking series against the Afghans - it will be the first time they will have played a five game series.

In addition they are scheduled to host two home ODI’s apiece against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, with away ODI’s against Australia and South Africa confirmed for September.

“We’re certainly getting close to the amount and variety of fixtures we need to continue our international development,” said Cricket Ireland Head Coach John Bracewell.

“The more games we play in varying conditions the more we learn and grow as a cricketing nation. I expect the five game series against Afghanistan will be tough and fiercely competitive.

“They had an excellent series win in both ODI’s and T20 against Zimbabwe last year, and continued that form in the World Twenty20 bating the eventual champions West Indies, which was a fantastic achievement for them and the Associate cricket cause.

“It’ll be a new experience for the players to be involved in a five game series but one which I’m certain they’ll relish and thrive on.”

Cricket Ireland Performance Director Richard Holdsworth welcomed the contests and also revealed that a reciprocal series will be taking place in India early next year.

“We are really looking forward to hosting the Afghan team in what have become great contests between well-matched teams,” said Holdsworth.