Afghanistan Times
Related Articles
Cricket Ireland has announced a five-match One-Day International series at home against Afghanistan to be played between 10th and 19th July in Belfast.
This series marks the first time Ireland are competing in a five-match ODI series and the national team’s coach John Bracewell is expecting a competitive series against Afghanistan.
“We’re certainly getting close to the amount and variety of fixtures we need to continue our international development,” said 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.”
Afghanistan have been making rapid strides in international cricket and they also most recently qualified for the Super 10 stage of the 2016 ICC World Twenty20.
In the 2016 ICC World T20, Afghanistan were the only team to beat the winners of the tournament – West Indies by securing a six-run victory in Nagpur.
Acknowledging the recent positive results secured by Afghanistan, including the limited overs series win against Zimbabwe last year, Bracewell is excited to play a five-match ODI series for the very first time with the Asian nation.
“They (Afghanistan) had an excellent series win in both ODI’s and T20 against Zimbabwe last year, and continued that form in the World Twenty20, beating 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.”
Ireland are also scheduled to play two ODIs against Sri Lanka and two more games against Pakistan in the summer season while they will also tour Australia and South Africa in September.
