Afghanistan cancels ODI series against Ireland

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has decided to call off the ODI series against Ireland. The series was expected to be played next month. But the fixtures of the series is coinciding with Afghanistan’s domestic T20 league the Shpageeza Cricket League. Hence, they decided to cancel the series and pay more attention to their domestic Twenty20 tournament as it is expected to provide a huge platform to the local Afghan cricketers.

Foreign stars from Zimbabwe and West Indies, like Sean Williams and Riyad Emrit, are expected to feature in the tournament. Many Pakistani cricketers were sold in the auction too, but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided not to let their players play in Afghanistan’s league. The relation between ACB and PCB is not sound after Afghanistan cancelled the friendly T20 series against Pakistan. Not only this, but they even went to call Pakistan a “country which houses the terrorists and provide safe haven to them.”

A 3-match ODI series was scheduled to be played between Ireland and Afghanistan in Belfast in July. Cricket Ireland’s (CI) officials were dejected to hear ACB’s decision. “We are disappointed the matches won’t proceed in July,” said a CI official while speaking to ESPNcricinfo.

“We have enjoyed two very competitive recent ODI series against Afghanistan in Belfast and India. Hopefully we will continue to work with the ACB to see if there are further opportunities to reschedule the matches at a later date. Our preference is to give as many opportunities as possible to our senior men to play our closest rivals on our home turf,” he further added.

Afghanistan will take on MCC at Lord’s

Afghanistan is ready to play it maiden match at Lord’s. On 11th July, they will face the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) team. Former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum will lead the MCC team.