Afghanistan to host Ireland in a 3-match ODI series in December

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and Cricket Ireland (CI) have mutually agreed to play a 3-match One Day International (ODI) series. The matches will be hosted in Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the month of December. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two cricket boards on 15th November 2017.

ACB’s Chief Executive Officer, Shafiqullah Stanikzai said the three-match ODI series will be an excellent opportunity for both Afghanistan and Ireland to face each other for competitive cricket after obtaining the Full Member status of the International Cricket Council on the same day. It will also help both sides in their preparations for the ICC World Cup Qualifiers next year. Talking about the venue, he said that Sharjah has witnessed entertaining cricket between the two sides in the past and the same will be expected again in this series.

Players and fans will be eager for action: Deutrom

Cricket Ireland CEO Warren Deutrom said both the teams will relish this clash not just as the two of the sport’s closest rivals and as two newest Test nations but most obviously at this point, as two teams are preparing for the ICC World Cup Qualifier in early March. He also said that players and fans will be eager to get on with the action.

Mazhar Khan, the general manager, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, had earlier delighted the fans saying, “We are hosting a three-match ODI series between Afghanistan and Ireland in December and there are also discussions on Afghanistan playing their inaugural Test at our ground after the ODI series.” We are ready to host Afghanistan’s first Test and for that, dates will be finalised soon,” added Mazhar.

Fixtures:

1st ODI -Tuesday 5th December, Day Night

2nd ODI-Thursday 7th December, Day Night

3rd ODI- Sunday 10th December, Day Night

The official twitter handle of Afghanistan Cricket Board announced the news in the micro-blogging site:

Afghanistan to host Ireland for three-match ODI series in UAE#AFGvIRE pic.twitter.com/WFpk0BK8iu

— Afghan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) November 15, 2017