Ireland has canceled a series against Afghanistan due to financial issues; however, there is hope for rescheduling next year. The summer schedule includes matches against the West Indies and England. Both boards are open to discussing future arrangements.
Ireland has officially canceled a planned multi-format series against Afghanistan this year, attributing the decision to financial constraints. However, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) remains optimistic about rescheduling the series for next year. In the interim, the West Indies will participate in six limited-overs matches in Ireland during May and June, followed by England, who will visit for a three-match Twenty20 series in September.
Initially, the series against Afghanistan was set to include one Test match, three One-Day Internationals, and three T20 matches in August. Cricket Ireland’s chief executive, Warren Deutrom, confirmed the cancellation, emphasizing, “One planned series that won’t go ahead for financial reasons is against Afghanistan.” He elaborated that this cancellation is part of managing short-term budgetary constraints while ensuring balanced investment across organizational strategic objectives.
Despite the cancellation, the ACB expressed an understanding of Cricket Ireland’s situation and highlighted the importance of the series. ACB’s chief executive, Naseeb Khan, remarked, “While we acknowledge their reasons, this would have been a valuable opportunity for players from both countries.” The ACB is currently in talks with Cricket Ireland to find suitable options for rescheduling the series and aims to collaborate to determine a convenient timeframe for all parties involved.
In conclusion, Ireland’s decision to cancel the planned home series against Afghanistan reflects current financial challenges faced by Cricket Ireland. While the ACB is disappointed, there is a willingness to work together to explore the possibility of rescheduling the series for next year. This situation underscores the importance of financial management in sports and the potential for future collaborations between the two cricket boards.
Original Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
