Ireland’s series against Afghanistan was brought forward so it would not collide with the IPL. Originally due to close on the 23rd of March, IPL’s launch date, both Boards have agreed on a minor change to the timetable. Now the tour begins with three T20Is, five ODIs and the first test between the two countries on February 21st and ends on March 19th.
Three of Afghanistan’s biggest winners are involved in the IPL – Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. The tournament had to start earlier this year, giving players some leeway before the World Cup in May 2019. The Afghanistan Cricket Board hosting the series in the northern Indian city of Dehradun made the tournament request to move the games forward and Cricket Ireland agrees.
“Initially, we planned to complete the series on March 23,” said ACB chief Shafiqullah Stanikzai. “But with data from the Indian Premier League involving three of Afghanistan’s main players, the data was slightly adjusted.
I would like to thank Cricket Ireland for accepting our request, which will be important for Afghanistan as we We are in the preparatory phase of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 and we are sure that both sides will compete against Cricket. “
Warren Deutrom, the CEO of Cricket Ireland, commented similarly. “The importance of this series for both nations can not be underestimated, so it was important that the fans did not miss a clash that would be the best in terms of available players, so we hope the match days will change a bit On the travel bookings of the fans who participated in the series, we look forward to a great series, including Ireland’s first overseas friendly. “
Ireland’s first and only foray into the longest format took place against Pakistan in May last year, while Afghanistan played its first test against India a month later in Bangalore.
For the upcoming tour, the Irish team is expected to arrive in India on 18 February. All matches will be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, where in June 2018 Afghanistan hosted a three-game T20I series in Bangladesh.
