Afghanistan and Ireland launch contentious five‑match ODI series in Northern Ireland

Afghanistan will play a five‑match One‑Day International series against Ireland in Northern Ireland, with the first two games at Bready Cricket Club on August 5 and 7 and the remaining three at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on August 10, 12 and 15. The series is crucial for both sides’ ICC ODI rankings ahead of the 2027 World Cup qualification deadline; Afghanistan sit eighth with 90 points while Ireland are 12th with 54. Afghanistan will field new captain Rahmat Shah, and aim to rebound after a 3‑0 ODI loss to India, having won their last six encounters with Ireland. Ireland enter the series after a 2‑0 T20I series win over India, though they are hampered by several injuries.

The arrangement has drawn criticism from the England and Wales Cricket Board, which opposes bilateral fixtures with Afghanistan due to the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s sport, labeling the regime a “gender apartheid.” England’s stance is backed by the UK government, and the ECB fears that Ireland’s decision could jeopardise future England‑Ireland fixtures. In response, Cricket Ireland has secured a reciprocal tour of Afghanistan in March 2025, and joins other nations that continue to schedule matches with Afghanistan despite broader boycotts.

Ariana Radio and Television Network holds exclusive broadcast rights for the series in Afghanistan, promising live coverage across television and social media platforms.