Bready ODI between Ireland and Afghanistan abandoned due to rain
First ODI Washed Out
The opening One-Day International (ODI) between Ireland and Afghanistan at Bready was called off without any play due to persistent rain. The match, which was scheduled to begin at 10:45 BST, experienced delays, leading to a pitch inspection at 12:00. Ultimately, the game was abandoned at 12:27.
This fixture was set to be the first match for new head coach Gary Wilson in charge of Ireland, and their first 50-over game since May 2025. The series consists of five matches, with the next ODI also scheduled to take place at Bready on Friday. Following this, the teams will move to Stormont in Belfast for the final three games.
Context of the Series
Cricket Ireland is hosting this series despite concerns regarding the treatment of women in Afghanistan. The organisation’s CEO, Sarah Keane, has expressed “moral discomfort” over the situation. This stance contrasts with that of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which has declined to play Afghanistan in bilateral series outside of International Cricket Council (ICC) global events.
The ECB‘s position is influenced by what its chair, Richard Thompson, has termed the “gender apartheid” enforced by the Taliban regime. The UK government supports the ECB‘s policy. However, Cricket Ireland has maintained close ties with the Afghanistan Cricket Board, arranging these five ODIs in Northern Ireland. In a reciprocal agreement, Ireland is also set to play Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates next March, which will include one Test, three ODIs, and three T20 fixtures.
The decision by Ireland to proceed with this series could potentially affect future lucrative fixtures against England. The ECB is reportedly displeased with the series taking place. Historically, England has played warm-up Tests against Ireland, such as before the 2019 and 2023 home series at Lord’s. However, the ECB has chosen to schedule a warm-up Test against Bangladesh instead for next year.
While England‘s men’s team did play Afghanistan in a Champions Trophy group game in Lahore last year, this fixture received strong criticism from a group of 160 MPs who urged its withdrawal. The ECB has since affirmed its policy against scheduling bilateral cricket with Afghanistan. Instead, the ECB organised a tour of England for the Afghan Refugee Women’s team this summer and invited them to the T20 World Cup final at Lord’s. Many Afghan women players relocated to Australia after the Taliban banned female sport in 2021.
Afghanistan is the only full ICC member without a women’s cricket programme, though the world governing body has not imposed a ban. Other nations, including Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand, also decline bilateral series with Afghanistan. Conversely, Ireland, along with West Indies, Zimbabwe, and the four Asian ICC full members, continues to play fixtures against them.
The relationship between the ECB and Cricket Ireland has been strained, partly due to England declining an invitation to a proposed Euro Nations Cup tournament involving Scotland, the Netherlands, and Italy next year, citing a congested calendar. Although England‘s men played three T20 Internationals in Ireland last September, they sent a second-string team, and no further matches are currently scheduled. However, England‘s women’s team is set to host Ireland in a three-match ODI series next month.
Squad Selection and Upcoming Matches
Cricket Ireland had previously announced the men’s squad for the initial three matches of the series. New head coach Gary Wilson acknowledged that injuries remain a concern, with several players sidelined and others to be assessed after the first three games. The squad includes new faces such as Jai Moondra, who is set to debut in the 50-over format, and Byron McDonough, a 24-year-old pace bowler receiving his first national call-up after impressing in the Inter-Provincial 50-over Cup. Ben Calitz also earned his first ODI squad call-up.
Andrew White, Cricket Ireland’s National Selector, expressed excitement for the team to build on their momentum from recent victories against India in June. He highlighted the opportunity for the squad to test themselves against world-class opposition and praised the attributes of new selections like Moondra, McDonough, and Calitz, as well as the wicket-taking threat of Gavin Hoey.
The Ireland Men’s ODI Squad for the series includes Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Cade Carmichael, George Dockrell, Gavin Hoey, Andrew McBrine, Liam McCarthy, Byron McDonough, Jai Moondra, Harry Tector, and Lorcan Tucker. Notable players unavailable due to injury or return-to-play protocols include Josh Little, Matt Hollard, Craig Young, Barry McCarthy, Jordan Neill, and David Delany.
The second ODI is scheduled for 7 August 2026 at Bready, followed by matches at Stormont on 10 August, 12 August, and 15 August 2026.
Source: bbc.com
