Cricket Ireland has announced the cancellation of the home series against Afghanistan, comprising seven matches, due to financial considerations, not political ones, according to CEO Warren Deutrom.
Ireland has decided to postpone hosting a multi-format series against Afghanistan this year due to ‘financial reasons’ amidst a packed summer schedule. This schedule includes significant tours from the England Men’s T20I team and Zimbabwe Women’s team.
Cricket Ireland unveiled its international schedule on Tuesday, highlighting the Women’s 50-over World Cup Qualifying matches against Pakistan, West Indies, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Scotland, set to take place between April 9-18.
The schedule also includes warm-up matches for Ireland Women against West Indies and Bangladesh in Pakistan on April 5 and 7, respectively. These matches are in preparation for their campaign to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2005, although the ICC is yet to confirm the final dates and locations for the Qualifiers.
Ireland Men are set to host West Indies for ODI and T20I series in May and June, respectively. Additionally, England Men will participate in their inaugural T20I series in Ireland in September, featuring three matches.
According to the Men’s Future Tours Program (FTP), Ireland was initially slated to play a Test match against Afghanistan, along with three ODIs and three T20Is. However, all seven games have been called off. Warren Deutrom, CEO of Cricket Ireland, clarified that this decision, similar to actions taken by Australia and England, was motivated by financial concerns rather than political issues, despite calls to suspend Afghanistan’s ICC membership over human rights concerns earlier in the week by Human Rights Watch.
‘One planned series that will not proceed due to financial considerations is the one against Afghanistan,’ Deutrom stated. ‘This decision aligns with our management of immediate budgetary limitations and our commitment to adhere to the Board’s directive to ensure balanced investment across the organization’s strategic goals.’
Since achieving Full Member status with the ICC in 2017, Ireland has hosted only two of the ten Test matches they have played. Their first Test victory was against Afghanistan in the UAE in 2024, followed by two more wins against Zimbabwe, at home last year and away last month.
Ireland hosted a ‘home’ white-ball series against South Africa in Abu Dhabi last year to address what Deutrom described as ‘current infrastructure challenges,’ citing the absence of a permanent home stadium and the substantial expenses associated with temporary facilities.
In August of last year, the Irish Government approved the construction of a permanent international cricket stadium and a high-performance center in Dublin. The first phase, which includes a main cricket oval, permanent seating for 4,000 spectators, and the high-performance center, is expected to be completed by 2028, with the aim of preparing Ireland to co-host the 2030 T20 World Cup alongside England and Scotland.
‘Regarding off-field developments, recent Government Programme announcements will enable us to continue our planning for the new Dublin stadium and the 2030 T20 World Cup. We are also looking forward to announcing investments in infrastructure and facilities across Ireland as part of our expanded Club Fund,’ Deutrom added.
Ireland Wolves are scheduled to play Afghanistan A in Abu Dhabi next month in four-day and one-day matches as part of a tour that also includes a white-ball tri-series with Sri Lanka A.
Ireland Men will also participate in the European T20 Premier League with Scotland and the Netherlands starting from mid-July.
Zimbabwe Women are scheduled to tour Ireland in July, marking their first tour since being included in the Women’s FTP for 2025-29. They will play three T20Is followed by two ODIs.
Pakistan Women will then visit Ireland in August for three T20Is ahead of the T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier in the Netherlands, where Ireland Women will be competing.
