Tag: Ireland

NEW YORK: India won the toss and chose to field first against Ireland in the eighth match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 here at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

PLAYING XIs

Ireland: Andy Balbirnie, Paul Stirling (c), Lorcan Tucker (wk), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Josh Little, Ben White.

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India: Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj

Matches 7, India 7, Ireland 0

FORM GUIDE

India: L, W, W, W, T

Ireland: L, W, NR, W, W

READ: Rohit Sharma opens up on urging Rahul Dravid to continue as India coach

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa predicted that Ireland would upset Pakistan in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

The Pakistan Men’s cricket team has been struggling to get on the winning track ahead of this year’s mega event.

The Green Shirts played three bilateral T20I series in a bid to prepare for the T20 World Cup 2024 but could not produce the desired results.

The former champions played out a 2-2 draw against an inexperienced New Zealand side in a five-match home series before registering a 2-1 away series win over Ireland.

In their last assignment before the World Cup, Pakistan succumbed to a 2-0 defeat in the four-match away series against England.

But the biggest setback for Pakistan was the shock loss against Ireland in the first T20I.

Remember, Pakistan and Ireland are placed in Group A of the T20 World Cup 2024 and the two sides will lock horns in the mega event on June 16.

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Meanwhile, former Indian batter Robin Uthappa made a massive claim that the Pakistan team will suffer an upset in the 20-team tournament, specifically due to their below-par fielding.

“It’s just that Pakistan have been one of those teams where, in a tournament, especially in an ICC tournament, they have always been upset by somebody. There is one of those games.

“See, their fielding has been particularly iffy at all times. we have seen it in the latest Asia Cup that even happened. I think, across time, in fact, Pakistan’s fielding has been very shady in that sense.

“So, I think, one of those games will happen where they will not turn up. I feel a team like Ireland can certainly upset them.”

Uthappa then went on to claim that Ireland would be the most likely side to upset Pakistan, highlighting their strong batting and bowling department.

“If you look at the batting order, I think it looks quite strong in itself,” said Robin Uthappa.

“Their bowling attack is also pretty good. Josh Little leads the attack. He’s been very impressive not just for Ireland but even when he has come to India to play in the IPL. Plays leagues around the world. He is a quick customer.

“Unassuming, Ge seems like he is not very quick. But he is actually very quick. Bowls a very heavy ball. Curtis Campher is someone who has also done really well for them. So, for me, Mark Adair is also someone who has done well.”

READ: Shoaib Malik boosts Pakistan’s ‘morale’ ahead of T20 World Cup

DUBLIN: Cricket Ireland on Tuesday, named three squads for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan, T20 tri-series against the Netherlands and Scotland and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Ireland’s squad for Pakistan T20Is and tri-series feature 14 players, however, ace pacer Josh Little, currently participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, will be added as the 15th member to the T20 World Cup 2024 squad.

Right-handed explosive opener Paul Stirling will continue to lead the European nation which features experienced players like Andrew Balbirnie, and George Dockrell.

Ireland will kick start their preparations for this year’s cricket extravaganza with a three-match T20I series against Pakistan, scheduled in Dublin from May 10 to 14.

They will then travel to the Netherlands to partake in the tri-series. The all-European tri-series will run from May 18 to 24.

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The series will be played in a pure round-robin format, with no final, meaning the top team in the standings by the end of the matches to be crowned champion.

“We have an intensive block of T20 cricket coming up this month ahead of the T20 World Cup – we have seven games in 15 days as preparation for the tournament,” said Ireland head coach Heinrich Malan.

“We will not be treating those seven games as warmups, though, we’ll be aiming to win as many of those games as possible.

“The T20 format is fast-paced, think-on-your-feet style of cricket. To find a way to win – given the often frenetic and evolving game going on around you – is a skill you can truly only ever learn and develop on the field of play.

“The squad is one that we have gradually developed and tested out over the last 18 or so months – the skill sets we need to cover are there, albeit we have allowed Josh [Little] to continue in the IPL until his side end their campaign, so he will likely join us ahead of the big tournament.

“We are now entering the final stretch before the T20 World Cup begins, it will be a challenging couple of weeks, but we’re ready to tackle whatever is thrown at us.”

Notably, Ireland, placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, India, USA and Canada, will start their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against inaugural champions on June 5.

They will then take on the USA and Canada on June 7 and 14 respectively before playing their last group fixture against 2009 champions Pakistan on June 16.

Ireland squad for Pakistan T20Is and Tri-Series:

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

Ireland squad for T20 World Cup 2024

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

READ: Bangladesh edge Zimbabwe to take an unassailable lead in T20I series

Pakistan’s fast bowler, Mohammad Amir, will not be travelling with the team to Ireland on Tuesday night due to visa issues, team management confirmed on Monday.

The team will depart for Dublin at midnight on May 7 as scheduled, meanwhile, Amir will depart on the first available flight after obtaining the visa.

The star bowler faced a similar situation during the tours of Ireland and England in 2018 also.

Amir recently made his comeback to international cricket during the home T20I series against New Zealand after he took back his retirement before the series.

Notably, Pakistan is scheduled to play three T20Is at Clontarf in Dublin on 10, 12, and 14 May 2024. All three matches will start at 3 PM local time.

The three-match away series, followed by four T20Is in England, will serve as a stepping stone for the Green Shirts to boast their preparations for this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

Pakistan squad for Ireland and England T20Is

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan.

READ: Babar Azam reveals reason behind dropping Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Haris

LAHORE: Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam on Monday revealed the reason for the exclusion of all-rounder Aamir Jamal and wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Haris from the national squad for the upcoming series against Ireland and England.

During the team’s pre-departure press conference, Azam clarified the reasons for excluding Jamal and Haris from the upcoming series, leading to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

“I agree that Haris didn’t get many opportunities after the T20 World Cup [in 2022]. However, he got the chance during [Pakistan Super League] PSL 9 but unfortunately, he wasn’t able to perform there,” Babar Azam stated.

He further shed light on the fact that Haris is a top-order player, and the Pakistan team has a settled top-order, which is also a reason for Haris’ exclusion.

“Haris plays in the top order which already includes me, [Mohammad] Rizwan, Saim [Ayub] and Fakhar [Zaman] which is why there were limited opportunities for him” he added.

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The star-batter also acknowledged Aamir Jamal’s talent as an all-rounder but clarified that his best performances came in Test cricket and a player cannot be selected for T20I based on Test performance.

“Aamir Jamal performed in Test cricket and Test performance cannot be compared with T20s. He is a fine all-rounder. He needs some more time and more matches under his belt which will get him further polished for T20 cricket,” he concluded.

It is worth mentioning here that the Pakistan men’s cricket team is currently participating in a three-day training session here ahead of their three-match T20I series against Ireland.

The team is scheduled to depart for Dublin on 7 May, where they will play three T20Is at Clontarf on 10, 12, and 14 May 2024. All three matches will start at 3 PM local time.

The three-match away series, followed by four T20Is in England, will serve as a stepping stone for the Green Shirts to boast their preparations for this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

Pakistan squad for Ireland and England T20Is

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan.

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LAHORE: All-rounder Salman Ali Agha earned his maiden call-up, while fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali have returned to the Pakistan squad for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England.

The national selection committee members Abdul Razzaq, Bilal Afzal, Mohammad Yousuf and Wahab Riaz announced the 18-member Pakistan squad during a press conference here on Thursday.

Rauf recovered from his shoulder injury, which he suffered during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine against Karachi Kings in February.

He missed most part of the PSL 9 and the recently concluded T20I series against New Zealand due to the aforementioned injury.

Along with Rauf, wicketkeeper Azam Khan was also sidelined for the New Zealand T20Is due to a calf injury, while middle-order batter Muhammad Irfan Khan and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan were rested from the two T20Is in Lahore due to niggles.

The four cricketers underwent fitness assessments at the National Cricket Academy on Tuesday afternoon, showing significant improvement.

This progress has provided confidence and encouragement to the PCB Medical Panel and the team management regarding their potential availability during the seven T20Is.

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Meanwhile, Agha was called up on the back of his impressive performance in the PSL 9, where he scored 310 runs for Islamabad United at a strike rate of 140.27.

Hasan Ali, who last played a T20I match against Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2022, was called back owing to his extensive experience, having featured in 50 T20Is and excelling in bilateral series and ICC Events. He claimed 14 wickets in 10 games during PSL 9.

Meanwhile, leg spinner Usama Mir, who was the highest wicket-taker in the PSL 9, and pace bowler Zaman Khan were dropped from the squads for the Ireland and England series.

The team is scheduled to depart for Dublin on 7 May following a three-day training camp in Lahore from 4-6 May.

The national team will play a three-match T20I series against Ireland from 10 May, followed by a four-match series against England.

Pakistan will announce the squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 after the first T20I against England, scheduled on 22 May.

Pakistan Squad for Ireland & England Tour

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayyub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan

READ: Nepal announce squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2024

Cricket Ireland has announced to play their home series against South Africa in Abu Dhabi later this year in order to overcome their infrastructure constraints.

The decision came in the light of the fact that Ireland do not have a permanent home stadium. They played their first Test at Malahide, near Dublin, in 2018, however, due to the high costs of temporary infrastructure, they played their next six Tests overseas.

South Africa were initially set to to tour Ireland for a series featuring three ODIs and three T20Is in July, however, they will now play two ODIs and three T20Is in Abu Dhabi in September.

“This fixture schedule attempts to strike a balance of competitive, high-quality cricket across multiple formats whilst addressing the challenges we face with respect to our current infrastructure constraints,” Cricket Ireland’s chief executive Warren Deutrom said.

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“While we work on longer-term solutions for some of these challenges – most notably continuing to advocate to Government for the proposed permanent stadium – we know we’ll have to explore ways to creatively increase our capacity to host an ever-increasing schedule in the short term.

“Continually reviewing how best to optimise our hosting arrangements for cricket in Ireland and playing a few of our home matches in neutral venues overseas is something we must continue to explore, as we have done with the South Africa series this year.”

Prior to the South Africa series, Ireland are scheduled to host Pakistan for a three-match T20I series in May, followed by a one-off Test match against Zimbabwe in Stormont, Belfast from July 25-29.

READ: Sunil Narine rules out West Indies return for T20 World Cup

DUBLIN: The Pakistan Men’s Cricket Team will tour Ireland for a three-match T20I series in May 2024, the Cricket Ireland announced Thursday.

According to the details, Pakistan will take on Ireland at Clontarf in Dublin on 10, 12 and 14 May 2024. All the matches will start at 3 PM local time.

👉 BIG NEWS

Here are the first international fixtures announced for 2024 home season, with general public tickets on sale tomorrow: https://t.co/QoCZToX9kF

These matches start at 3pm.

We will be announcing the full summer programme in coming weeks.#BackingGreen ☘️🏏 pic.twitter.com/rtTATBnvIe

— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) March 28, 2024

The three-match away series will serve as a stepping stone for the Green Shirts to boast their preparations for this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

Notably, Pakistan and Ireland are placed in the same group of the mega event and are slated to lock horns on June 16 at Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida.

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Following the three-match series against Ireland, Pakistan will travel to England for a four-match T20I series against the defending champions.

As per the schedule revealed by the England Cricket Board (ECB), the Pakistan men’s team will play a four-match T20I series against England, scheduled from May 22 to 30.

Pakistan and England Men last locked horns in a T20I series in September 2022 where the latter side emerged victorious 4-3 on Pakistan’s home soil.

The two sides also came face to face in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 and England once again emerged victorious against Pakistan to claim their second title after Ben Stokes’s heroics.

For the unversed, Pakistan last played a T20I series in England back in 2021 when they suffered a 2-1 thrashing from the dominant hosts.

READ: Pakistan-New Zealand T20I series tickets to go on sale from Friday

Afghanistan’s star leg-spinner Rashid Khan has returned to the national squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Ireland.

Rashid Khan has been out of action since the ICC World Cup 2023 in November, due to a back injury which required him to undergo surgery.

He travelled with the squad for the T20I series against India after the surgery, however, he could not partake in the series owing to his rehabilitation.

The star spinner also missed the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9, as well as the Big Bash League (BBL) and SA20.

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Khan will lead the Afghanistan team, while his fellow spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman will also participate in the series after recovering from his injury.

“The plan is to represent the country in the upcoming series and the training has been underway, thankfully it went well and I hope that the following few days will also be well so that I can wear the national jersey again and continue to do well for my country,” Rashid Khan said in an interview posted by Afghanistan Cricket Board on March 9.

The three-match series is scheduled to take place in Sharjah on March 15, 17 and 18.

Afghanistan squad for Ireland series

Rashid Khan (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediq Atal, Ijaz Ahmadzai, Ishaq Rahimi (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Nangyal Kharotai, Azmat Omarzai, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Wafadar Momand, Farid Malik, Naveen Ul Haq, Fazal Haq Farooqi

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A first five-wicket haul in Test cricket for Mark Adair put Ireland in a strong position after the opening day of their one-off Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

The Northern Irish all-rounder posted figures of 5-39 to help bowl the opposition out for 155 after Afghan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and elected to bat.

An otherwise excellent day for Ireland was dampened by the late fall of the wickets of Curtis Campher for 49, ending a 60-run third-wicket stand with Harry Tector, and of nightwatchman Theo van Woerkom.

Ireland appeared to be cruising in reply until a late Afghan fight-back led by spinner Zia-ur-Rehman left Andy Balbirnie’s side four wickets down and 55 runs short of the Afghan total.

With less than half an hour of play left in the day, the Afghanistan left-armer claimed Campher, one shy of a half-century, and Van Woerkom clean bowled.

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Without their injured talisman Rashid Khan, Afghanistan struggled to find fluency in their first innings and only had four batters reach double figures on what appeared to be a good batting surface.

Mark Adair opened his account for the day in the seventh over when he had Noor Ali Zadran caught by Balbirnie for just seven.

Then when fellow opener Ibrahim Zadran, Noor Ali’s nephew, fell for 53 it capped off a middle-order collapse where Afghanistan went from 66-3 to 90-6.

An undefeated 41 from Karim Janat, however, gave them some respectability.

Ireland’s response seemed to be faltering when both openers fell within 10 overs until the partnership of Campher and Tector.

Still without a win since gaining Test status in 2017, Ireland will resume play on day two with Tector (32 not out) and Paul Stirling in the middle.

Afghanistan also became a Test nation in the same year and have since claimed three wins in the format, including one against Ireland in 2019.

READ: Pollard, Irfan recover Karachi Kings to 165/5 against Islamabad United