According to a report published by ESPNcricinfo Ireland has called off their upcoming home series against Afghanistan national cricket team. The report says that the multi-format series that Cricket Ireland had originally planned to host against Afghanistan this year has been postponed for “financial reasons” due to a busy summer that includes tours by the England Men’s Team and Zimbabwe Women’s Cricket Team.
Cricket Ireland announced their international schedule on Tuesday, which include Women’s 50-over World Cup Qualifying matches against Pakistan, the West Indies, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Scotland from April 9 to 18. The England men’s team will play their first T20I series in Ireland in September, while the Ireland men’s team will host the West Indies for ODI and T20I series in May and June.
According to the Men’s Future Tours Program (FTP), Ireland was scheduled to play a Test against Afghanistan, three ODIs, and three T20Is, after playing T20Is against England. But now, all seven games, nevertheless, have been cancelled.
According to rumours in the cricket fraternity this decision of Cricket Ireland follows Australia and England’s decision not to play bilateral series against Afghanistan due to Taliban’s ban on Women’s cricket in Afghanistan.
However, Warren Deutrom, Cricket Ireland’s chief executive, said it was for financial rather than political grounds. “One planned series that won’t go ahead for financial reasons is against Afghanistan. This decision is part of our management of short-term budgetary constraints, as well as our requirement to comply with the Board’s mandate to deliver balanced investment across the organisation’s strategic objectives.” Deutrom said.
Earlier this week, Human Rights Watch called for Afghanistan’s ICC membership to be suspended due to human rights breaches.
However, next month, Ireland Wolves will go to Abu Dhabi to play Afghanistan A in four-day and one-day matches. The tour will also include a white-ball tri-series that includes Sri Lanka A.
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