Ireland has canceled a home series against Afghanistan due to financial issues, but the Afghan board hopes to reschedule next year. Their summer schedule includes matches against the West Indies and England, with the Afghanistan series originally planned for August.
Ireland has cancelled a planned multi-format series against Afghanistan due to financial constraints. Despite this setback, the Afghanistan Cricket Board remains optimistic about rescheduling the series for next year. Ireland’s summer schedule includes six limited-overs matches against the West Indies in May and June, followed by a three-match T20 series against England in September.
The original plan included one test match, three one-day internationals, and three T20s against Afghanistan in August. Cricket Ireland’s chief executive, Warren Deutrom, confirmed, “One planned series that won’t go ahead for financial reasons is against Afghanistan.” He emphasized that this decision is driven by the need to manage short-term budgetary constraints while adhering to strategic investment goals.
Following the announcement, the Afghanistan Cricket Board expressed disappointment yet acknowledged the reasons for the cancellation. ACB chief executive Naseeb Khan stated, “This would have been a valuable opportunity for players from both countries.” He mentioned that discussions are ongoing to find a suitable time to reschedule the series jointly.
In summary, Ireland has canceled its home series against Afghanistan due to financial challenges, impacting the planned matches scheduled for August this year. Cricket Ireland aims to manage its budget effectively while still prioritizing future opportunities for both nations. The Afghanistan Cricket Board is hopeful for a rescheduling in the next year, indicating a willingness to collaborate for mutual benefit.
Original Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
