Afghanistan have withdrawn from their tour of Ireland next month © AFP
Afghanistan have withdrawn from a proposed one-day series against Ireland next month due to a clash with their domestic T20 competition.
Ireland, who lost 3-2 in their last ODI encounter with Afghanistan in the UAE in March, had hoped to host a three-match return series in Belfast in July.
However, the Afghanistan Cricket Board have informed Cricket Ireland that they’re not in a position to approve the tour, due to a clash with preparations for their domestic franchise T20 event.
“Of course, our preference is to give as many opportunities as possible to our senior men to play our closest rivals on our home turf, so we are disappointed the matches won’t proceed in July,” said a Cricket Ireland spokesperson.
“We have enjoyed two very competitive recent ODI series against Afghanistan in Belfast and India. Hopefully we will continue to work with the ACB to see if there are further opportunities to reschedule the matches at a later date.”
ESPNcricinfo understands that Afghanistan’s maiden fixture at Lord’s, when they take on an MCC side led by Brendon McCullum on July 11, is unaffected by this decision.
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo