Cricket Ireland has postponed a planned multi-format series against Afghanistan due to budgetary constraints. The CEO cited financial reasons rather than political issues, emphasizing the impact of an upcoming busy schedule. Afghanistan now has no immediate international fixtures, complicating their pursuit of an ICC title after a difficult recent campaign.
Cricket Ireland has announced the postponement of a multi-format series against Afghanistan, primarily due to financial constraints. Despite the obligations outlined in the Men’s Future Tours Programme (FTP), which include one Test, three ODIs, and three T20Is, the board made a decision that reflects its focus on managing current budgetary challenges. The move comes in light of a busy summer featuring significant matches against England and Zimbabwe, alongside the planning of international fixtures for 2025 that emphasize World Cup qualifiers and infrastructure development.
The CEO of Cricket Ireland, Warren Deutrom, clarified that the decision to shelve the series was driven by economic reasons rather than political considerations. This decision follows a pattern exhibited by some nations, such as Australia and England, which have chosen not to engage with Afghanistan due to human rights concerns under the Taliban regime. “One planned series that won’t go ahead for financial reasons is against Afghanistan… as well as our requirement to comply with the Board’s mandate to deliver balanced investment across the organisation’s strategic objectives,” he stated, emphasizing fiscal priorities.
Since attaining Full Member status in 2017, Ireland has faced significant challenges in hosting Test matches, playing only two out of ten Tests on home soil. Notably, their first Test victory occurred against Afghanistan in the UAE in 2024. Deutrom pointed out ongoing infrastructure challenges that have forced Ireland to play some matches in Abu Dhabi to minimize costs. Furthermore, he mentioned upcoming developments, stating, “recent Programme for Government announcements will enable us to continue our planning for the new Dublin stadium and for the 2030 T20 World Cup,” highlighting Ireland’s role as a co-host.
As a result of Ireland’s withdrawal, Afghanistan currently lacks any international fixtures, exacerbating their recent struggles following a disappointing exit from the Champions Trophy 2025. Despite showing resilience during the group stage, the team’s quest for an inaugural ICC title remains unfulfilled, leaving them in a challenging position without upcoming matches to look forward to.
In summary, Cricket Ireland’s decision to postpone the series against Afghanistan underscores the financial challenges the board faces amid a packed schedule. The emphasis on budgetary constraints highlights the ongoing infrastructure issues that have hindered Ireland’s ability to host more matches. While political factors influenced other nations, Ireland’s actions remain firmly rooted in economic realities, leaving Afghanistan without international engagements and affecting their aspirations in cricket.
Original Source: cricket.one
