Afghanistan, Ireland To Play Bilateral Series In India 1

Afghanistan coach Lalchand Rajput has confirmed his team will play a bilateral three-match Twenty20 International series, five One-Day Internationals and a four-day match against Ireland in India next March. All the nine matches are set to be played at The Greater Noida Cricket Stadium, which was recently cleared to host international matches by the ICC.

“We are playing three T-20 matches, 5 ODIs, and a 4-day match against Ireland at the Greater Noida Stadium next month,” Rajput told Deccan Chronicle.

Rajput further said having former the West Indies and Ireland coach Phil Simmons in his backroom staff will be good for his team in the upcoming series.

After considering several options including former Sri Lanka fast-bowler Chaminda Vaas, Afghanistan appointed Simmons as their bowling consultant.

Rajput said: 

“We were looking at a bowling coach and Chaminda Vaas was the other one but (ultimately we) finalized on Simmons”.

“It’s good to have somebody who had knowledge and a wealth of experience. Simmons was with the Irish team so it will help us against them before playing the West Indies there,” he added.

Considered as two of the most strongest Associate teams, Afghanistan and Ireland have played against each other in seven ODIs till date, with Ireland winning four and Afghanistan three. The last ODI series between them, which was played in Belfast last year, ended 2-2 while Afghanistan came out on top in their last T20 meeting during the final of the Desert T20 Challenge.