The two teams will lock horns in the ODI format for the first time since March 2024. The first two matches of the series will be played at the Bready Cricket Club in Northern Ireland on August 5 and 7. The Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast will host the remaining three ODIs on August 10, 12 and 14.
Afghanistan have the upper hand over Ireland in ODIs, having won the last six matches against them. Ireland last defeated Afghanistan in the format in March 2019. However, they are coming into this series on a high, having defeated T20 world champions India last month in a two-T20I series 2-0.
Jai Moondra, who won the player of the series award against India, has received a maiden ODI call-up for this series. Ben Calitz and Byron McDonough are the other two new faces in Ireland’s squad. Ireland have been hit by injuries, with Josh Little, Matt Hollard, Craig Young, Barry McCarthy, Jordan Neill and David Delany all unavailable for selection.
Meanwhile, the five-match series against Ireland is the first assignment for the new Afghanistan captain, Rahmat Shah, with Hashmatullah Shahidi having stepped down in June this year. Afghanistan lost 0-3 to India in their previous series but must be wary of the hosts in this series, as a loss could affect their position in the ODI rankings.
Afghanistan will also miss their veteran Mohammad Nabi, while spin bowler Mujeeb Ur Rahman wasn’t available due to injury.
Latest ICC men’s ODI rankings ahead of IRE vs AFG seriesAfghanistan are ranked eighth in the latest ICC ODI rankings with 90 rating points. The cut off date for automatic qualification for the World Cup 2027 is September 30, 2026, with the top eight sides in the rankings minus South Africa, who automatically qualify as hosts.
While there is no immediate threat to their qualification as of now, a series loss will see them lose quite a few points. Ireland are placed 12th in the rankings with 54 points, and they will be continuing their winning momentum from the India series.
Position
Team
Matches
Points
Rating
1
India
33
3841
116
2
New Zealand
35
3809
109
3
Australia
29
2965
102
4
South Africa
28
2855
102
5
Pakistan
32
3215
100
6
Sri Lanka
36
3470
96
7
England
31
2898
93
8
Afghanistan
24
2154
90
9
Bangladesh
39
3251
83
10
West Indies
34
2624
77
11
Zimbabwe
15
941
63
12
Ireland
12
653
54
13
Netherlands
30
1309
44
14
Scotland
25
1071
43
15
USA
26
1035
40
16
Oman
22
716
33
17
Namibia
20
623
31
18
Nepal
31
790
25
19
United Arab Emirates
23
357
16
20
Canada
19
242
13
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