Irish cricket team against Afghanistan in the UAE in 2020–21#1st ODI
{{short description|International cricket tour}}
{{distinguish|Irish cricket team in the United Arab Emirates in 2020–21}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox cricket tour
| series_name = Ireland against Afghanistan in the UAE in 2020–21
| team1_image = Flag of Afghanistan (2013–2021).svg
| team1_name = Afghanistan
| team2_image = Cricket Ireland flag.svg
| team2_name = Ireland
| from_date = 21
| to_date = 26 January 2021
| team1_captain = Asghar Afghan
| team2_captain = Andrew Balbirnie
| no_of_ODIs = 3
| team1_ODIs_won = 3
| team2_ODIs_won = 0
| team1_ODIs_most_runs = Rahmanullah Gurbaz (180)
| team2_ODIs_most_runs = Paul Stirling (285)
| team1_ODIs_most_wickets = Naveen-ul-Haq (8)
| team2_ODIs_most_wickets = Andy McBrine (6)
| player_of_ODI_series = Paul Stirling (Ire)
}}
The Ireland cricket team toured the United Arab Emirates in January 2021 to play three One Day International (ODI) matches against Afghanistan.{{cite web|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/final-touches-being-made-to-busy-schedule-for-irelands-cricketers-39625868.html |title=Final touches being made to busy schedule for Ireland's cricketers |work=Belfast Telegraph |access-date=7 November 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/balbirnie-not-heading-to-abu-dhabi-for-a-holiday-as-irelands-cricketers-reconvene-for-first-time-in-five-months-39904669.html |title=Balbirnie not heading to Abu Dhabi for a holiday as Ireland's cricketers reconvene for first time in five months |work=Belfast Telegraph |access-date=29 December 2020}} The ODI series formed part of the inaugural 2020–2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Super League.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/742337 |title=Schedule for inaugural World Test Championship announced |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=11 January 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://icc-static-files.s3.amazonaws.com/ICC/document/2018/06/20/6dc2c8d4-e1a5-4dec-94b4-7121fab3cd7f/ICC_Tours.pdf |title=Men's Future Tours Programme |access-date=11 October 2019 |work=International Cricket Council |archive-date=11 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711080228/https://icc-static-files.s3.amazonaws.com/ICC/document/2018/06/20/6dc2c8d4-e1a5-4dec-94b4-7121fab3cd7f/ICC_Tours.pdf |url-status=dead }} All of the matches were played at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.{{cite web |url=https://www.cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES2020/articles/000013/001320.shtml |title=Afghanistan confirm Ireland matches in Abu Dhabi |work=Cricket Europe |access-date=17 November 2020 |archive-date=17 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117112531/https://www.cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES2020/articles/000013/001320.shtml |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/30334869/afghanistan-ireland-odi-series-provides-big-bash-league-headache |title=Afghanistan-Ireland ODI series provides BBL headache |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=17 November 2020}}
The Afghanistan team's visa applications for travel to the UAE were delayed,{{cite web|url=https://cricket.af/post/squad-announced-for-ireland-series- |title=Squad announced for Ireland series |work=Afghanistan Cricket Board |access-date=2 January 2021}} resulting in the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) making contingency plans for the series to be played in Oman.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/afghanistan-ireland-series-to-be-held-in-the-uae-after-visas-come-through-1246369 |title=Afghanistan-Ireland series to be held in the UAE after visas come through |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=5 January 2021}} However, on 5 January 2021, the ACB confirmed that the team would be travelling to the UAE per the original schedule.{{cite web|url=https://cricket.af/post/national-team-to-travel-to-uae-today-for-ireland-series |title=National team to travel to UAE today for Ireland series |work=Afghanistan Cricket Board |access-date=5 January 2021}} The start of the series was moved back three days from the original schedule,{{cite web |url=https://www.cricketireland.ie/news/article/change-of-fixture-dates-agreed-for-afghanistan-v-ireland-series |title=Change of fixture dates agreed for Afghanistan v Ireland series |work=Cricket Ireland |access-date=6 January 2021 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106141701/https://www.cricketireland.ie/news/article/change-of-fixture-dates-agreed-for-afghanistan-v-ireland-series |url-status=dead }} due to the visa issues and a ten-day quarantine period in place in the UAE.{{cite web |url=https://www.cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES2021/articles/000000/000089.shtml |title=Will Afghanistan series be delayed? |work=Cricket Europe |access-date=5 January 2021 |archive-date=5 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105124016/https://www.cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES2021/articles/000000/000089.shtml |url-status=dead }}
In the opening match, debutant Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 127 runs to help Afghanistan win by 16 runs.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1982643 |title=Gurbaz century stars on Afghanistan debut in Super League win over Ireland |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=24 January 2021}} In the second match, Rahmat Shah scored a century, with Afghanistan winning by seven wickets to take an unassailable lead in the series.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/ireland-in-uae-2020-21-1244011/afghanistan-vs-ireland-2nd-odi-1244014/match-report |title=Rahmat Shah's 103* trumps Paul Stirling's 128 as Afghanistan go 2-0 up |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=24 January 2021}} Afghanistan won the third ODI by 36 runs, to win the series 3–0.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/ireland-in-uae-2020-21-1244011/afghanistan-vs-ireland-3rd-odi-1244015/match-report |title=3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi, Jan 26 2021, Ireland tour of United Arab Emirates |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=26 January 2021}}
Squads
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin:auto" |
| colspan=2|ODIs |
|---|
| {{cr|AFG|2013}}{{cite web |title=Afghanistan announce 16-member squad for ODI series against Ireland |url= http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/115511/afghanistan-announce-16-member-squad-for-odi-series-against-ireland |work=Cricbuzz |access-date=2 January 2021}} |
| style="vertical-align:top"
|
| |
David Delany was ruled out of the series due to a knee injury, with Josh Little joining Ireland's squad.{{cite web |url=https://www.cricketireland.ie/news/article/injury-forces-change-to-irish-squad-ahead-of-uae-series |title=Injury forces change to Irish squad ahead of UAE series |work=Cricket Ireland |access-date=6 January 2021 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106170224/https://www.cricketireland.ie/news/article/injury-forces-change-to-irish-squad-ahead-of-uae-series |url-status=dead }} Little was originally named in the team, but had to self-isolate after a positive COVID-19 result from a close contact.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/55564378 |title=Ireland v Afghanistan: This month's series to start three days later than scheduled |work=BBC Sport |access-date=6 January 2021}} Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman were all playing in the Big Bash League in Australia, before leaving the tournament to join the rest of the Afghanistan squad.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/bbl-2020-21-rashid-nabi-mujeeb-to-depart-bbl-for-international-duty-siddle-suffers-minor-fracture-1247297 |title=Rashid, Nabi, Mujeeb to depart BBL for international duty; Siddle suffers minor fracture |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021}} On 11 January 2021, Shane Getkate was added to Ireland's squad, as a replacement for David Delany,{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ireland-in-the-uae-2020-21-shane-getkate-called-into-ireland-squad-for-uae-afghanistan-odis-1247537 |title=Shane Getkate called into Ireland squad for UAE, Afghanistan ODIs |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=11 January 2021}} and Conor Olphert was added to their squad as a net bowler.{{cite web |url=https://www.cricketireland.ie/news/article/shane-getkate-and-conor-olphert-fly-out-to-abu-dhabi-to-join-squad |title=Shane Getkate and Conor Olphert fly out to Abu Dhabi to join squad |work=Cricket Ireland |access-date=11 January 2021 |archive-date=29 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829105543/https://www.cricketireland.ie/news/article/shane-getkate-and-conor-olphert-fly-out-to-abu-dhabi-to-join-squad |url-status=dead }}
Tour match
Ahead of the ODI series, the two teams played in unofficial warm-up match, with Afghanistan winning by 23 runs.{{cite web |url=https://www.cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES2021/articles/000001/000131.shtml |title=Afghanistan beat Ireland in warm-up |work=Cricket Europe |access-date=17 January 2021 |archive-date=16 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116174732/https://www.cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES2021/articles/000001/000131.shtml |url-status=dead }}
{{Single-innings cricket match
| date = 16 January 2021
| time =
| daynight =
| team1 = {{cr-rt|AFG|2013}}
| team2 = {{cr|IRE}}
| score1 = 264 (44.1 overs)
| runs1 = Hashmatullah Shahidi 61 (75)
| wickets1 = Curtis Campher 3/31 (5.1 overs)
| score2 = 241 (44.4 overs)
| runs2 = Harry Tector 42 (53)
| wickets2 = Sayed Shirzad 3/28 (7 overs)
| result = Afghanistan won by 23 runs
| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1248119.html Scorecard]
| venue = Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
| umpires =
| motm =
| toss = Ireland won the toss and elected to field.
| rain = The match was reduced to 45 overs per side.
| notes =
}}
ODI series
=1st ODI=
{{Single-innings cricket match
| date = 21 January 2021
| time = 10:00
| daynight =
| team1 = {{cr-rt|AFG|2013}}
| team2 = {{cr|IRE}}
| score1 = 287/9 (50 overs)
| runs1 = Rahmanullah Gurbaz 127 (127)
| wickets1 = Andy McBrine 5/29 (10 overs)
| score2 = 271/9 (50 overs)
| runs2 = Lorcan Tucker 83 (96)
| wickets2 = Naveen-ul-Haq 3/68 (9 overs)
| result = Afghanistan won by 16 runs
| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1244013.html Scorecard]
| venue = Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
| umpires = Ahmed Shah Durrani (Afg) and Ahmed Shah Pakteen (Afg)
| motm = Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afg)
| toss = Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat.
| rain =
| notes = Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Azmatullah Omarzai (Afg) both made their ODI debuts.
- Andy McBrine (Ire) took his 50th wicket and his first five-wicket haul in ODIs.{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/1st-odi-debut-century-for-gurbaz-gives-afghanistan-edge-against-ireland/articleshow/80386171.cms |title=1st ODI: Debut century for Gurbaz gives Afghanistan edge against Ireland |work=Times of India |access-date=21 January 2021}}
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz became the first batsman for Afghanistan to score a century on their ODI debut.{{cite web|url=https://www.tv9hindi.com/sports/cricket-news/afg-vs-ire-rahmanullah-gurbaz-score-century-on-his-odi-debut-in-115-balls-vs-ireland-break-many-records-485688.html |title=AFG vs IRE: डेब्यू पर धमाका करना रहा है पुराना शौक, 19 साल के इस बल्लेबाज के बल्ले में बड़ी ‘आग’ है |work=TV9 Hindi |access-date=21 January 2021}}
- World Cup Super League points: Afghanistan 10, Ireland 0.
}}
=2nd ODI=
{{Single-innings cricket match
| date = 24 January 2021
| time = 10:00
| daynight =
| team1 = {{cr-rt|IRE}}
| team2 = {{cr|AFG|2013}}
| score1 = 259/9 (50 overs)
| runs1 = Paul Stirling 128 (132)
| wickets1 = Naveen-ul-Haq 4/42 (10 overs)
| score2 = 260/3 (45.2 overs)
| runs2 = Rahmat Shah 103* (109)
| wickets2 = Curtis Campher 1/28 (4 overs)
| result = Afghanistan won by 7 wickets
| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1244014.html Scorecard]
| venue = Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
| umpires = Izatullah Safi (Afg) and Bismillah Jan Shinwari (Afg)
| motm = Rahmat Shah (Afg)
| toss = Ireland won the toss and elected to bat.
| rain =
| notes = World Cup Super League points: Afghanistan 10, Ireland 0.
}}
=3rd ODI=
{{Single-innings cricket match
| date = 26 January 2021
| time = 10:00
| daynight =
| team1 = {{cr-rt|AFG|2013}}
| team2 = {{cr|IRE}}
| score1 = 266/9 (50 overs)
| runs1 = Rashid Khan 48 (40)
| wickets1 = Simi Singh 3/37 (10 overs)
| score2 = 230 (47.1 overs)
| runs2 = Paul Stirling 118 (119)
| wickets2 = Rashid Khan 4/29 (9 overs)
| result = Afghanistan won by 36 runs
| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1244015.html Scorecard]
| venue = Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
| umpires = Ahmed Shah Durrani (Afg) and Ahmed Shah Pakteen (Afg)
| motm = Rashid Khan (Afg)
| toss = Ireland won the toss and elected to field.
| rain =
| notes = Paul Stirling scored his 12th century, the most by a cricketer for Ireland in ODIs.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1986707 |title=Afghanistan move up in CWC Super League with series sweep over Ireland |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=26 January 2021}}
- World Cup Super League points: Afghanistan 10, Ireland 0.
}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/series/1244010.html Series home at ESPN Cricinfo]
{{International cricket tours of Afghanistan}}
{{International cricket in 2020–21}}
{{2020–23 ICC Cricket World Cup Super League}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Irish cricket team against Afghanistan in the UAE in 2020-21}}
Category:2021 in Afghan cricket
Category:2021 in Irish cricket
Category:International cricket competitions in 2020–21
Category:Afghan cricket tours of the United Arab Emirates