Ireland announced Squads for Upcoming 3- Format Series Versus Afghanistan

Cricket Ireland has officially disclosed the squad for the Ireland National Cricket Team ahead of their Test, ODI, and T20I clashes against the Afghanistan National Cricket Team. This series features a solitary Test match followed by a three-game T20I series and a three-match ODI series. The initial showdown will be the Test match scheduled from February 28 to March 3 in Abu Dhabi.

Subsequently, attention will turn to the three ODIs, set to take place on March 7, 9, and 12 in Sharjah, followed by the T20I series on March 15, 17, and 18 in the same venue.

Of note, the impending Test match marks only the second encounter between the Ireland National Cricket Team and the Afghanistan National Cricket Team, with their inaugural Test clash dating back to 2019, wherein Afghanistan emerged victorious by a margin of 7 wickets.

Furthermore, the Ireland National Cricket Team will receive backing from its coaching staff throughout the Afghanistan series, including head coach Heinrich Malan, batting coach Gary Wilson, pace bowling coach Ryan Eagleson, and spin bowling coach Chris Brown.

Moreover, the Ireland National Cricket Team will see Andrew Balbirnie and Paul Stirling, serving as regular captains, leading the squads. Balbirnie will helm the team in the one-off Test matches, while Stirling will take the reins for the limited overs series.

The Ireland selection committee has introduced four fresh faces to the Test squad: Matthew Foster, Barry McCarthy, Theo van Woerkom, and Craig Young. Among them, Matthew Foster is the sole player yet to make his international debut in white-ball cricket.

In terms of Ireland’s Test cricket journey, it commenced in 2018, marking the beginning of their venture into the longest format. To date, they have contested merely seven Test matches, the most recent being against England in 2023. Afghanistan’s trajectory in Test cricket mirrors Ireland’s closely, with their initiation into the format also occurring in 2018. They have participated in eight Test matches thus far, with the latest encounter against Sri Lanka transpiring in February 2024.

Full squad for Ireland’s Test, ODI, and T20I Teams Against Afghanistan

Test Squad:

• Mark Adair
• Andrew Balbirnie (Captain)
• Curtis Campher
• George Dockrell
• Matthew Foster
• Graham Hume
• Andy McBrine
• Barry McCarthy
• James McCollum
• PJ Moor
• Paul Stirling
• Harry Tector
• Lorcan Tucker
• Theo van Woerkom
• Craig Young

ODI Squad:

• Mark Adair
• Andrew Balbirnie
• Curtis Campher
• Gareth Delany
• George Dockrell
• Matthew Foster
• Graham Hume
• Andy McBrine
• Barry McCarthy
• Neil Rock
• Paul Stirling (Captain)
• Harry Tector
• Lorcan Tucker
• Theo van Woerkom
• Craig Young

T20I Squad:

• Mark Adair
• Ross Adair
• Andrew Balbirnie
• Curtis Campher
• Gareth Delany
• George Dockrell
• Graham Hume
• Josh Little
• Barry McCarthy
• Neil Rock
• Paul Stirling (Captain)
• Harry Tector
• Lorcan Tucker
• Ben White
• Craig Young

Complete Series Schedule:

Only Test Match – February 28 to March 3, Abu Dhabi; Starts at 10 am

1st ODI – March 7, Sharjah; Starts at 3:30 pm

2nd ODI – March 9, Sharjah; Starts at 3:30 pm

3rd ODI – March 12, Sharjah; Starts at 3:30 pm

1st T20I – March 15, Sharjah; Starts at 8 pm

2nd T20I – March 17, Sharjah; Starts at 8 pm

3rd T20I – March 18, Sharjah; Starts at 8 pm

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