The Irish cricketers will be aiming for their first-ever Test win when they face Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi next month.
Cricket Ireland today announced details of a seven-match series in three formats to be played in February and March as preparations continue for this summer’s T20 World Cup.
Heinrich Maran’s side will play a five-game series in Abu Dhabi from February 28 to March 3, hoping to reverse their fortunes which saw them suffer a seven-wicket defeat in the only Test between the two countries in 2019. He is scheduled to return to test action for the match on Sunday.
This match will be followed by three One-Day Internationals in Sharjah on March 7, 9 and 12, followed by three T20 Internationals at the same venue on March 15, 17 and 18.
Ireland have been winless in seven Test matches since gaining full membership in 2017, most recently losing to England in a four-day Test in June last year.
Afghanistan and Ireland are ranked 11th and 12th respectively out of the 12 men’s Test cricket nations, but Cricket Ireland’s high performance director Richard Holdsworth says a first win is within reach. I believe.
“The last time we played a Test against Afghanistan, we had five Test debutants in our squad,” Holdsworth said.
“Maybe this time I have experienced Test cricket and understood what this format means, its rhythms and how it rises and falls, and most importantly, the lessons it teaches of patience and consistency. “We’ll be testing it out with the players who started.”
“It’s not going to be easy. Afghanistan are a good team but under Heinrich we are starting to get into a three-format mindset and we can go into the game believing that our first Test win is achievable. can.”
Afghanistan vs Ireland Series
- February 28th – March 3rd: test match
- March 7th: 1st ODI
- March 9: 2nd ODI
- March 12th: 3rd ODI
- March 15th: First generation T20I
- March 17th: 2nd T20I
- March 18th: 3rd T2oI