Published: Nov 30, 2018, 10:44 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 30, 2018, 10:44 PM (IST)
Test newbies Afghanistan and Ireland will be in India next year to play each other in a full series comprising three T20Is, five ODIs which will be followed by a one-off Test to be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
It will be the first time the two teams, both of whom received their Test status in 2018, will clash in the longest format.
Afghanistan made their Test debut against India in June this year but suffered an innings defeat inside two days. However, Ireland made an impressive entry into five-day cricket as they gave Pakistan a tough fight at home before losing.
For Ireland, it will be the first of the two Tests they will be playing in 2019. They are also set to play England at Lord’s in a historic four-day Test in July.
For Ireland, it will be their first overseas assignment in whites as Afghanistan ‘host’ them across February and March.
“It will no doubt be a test for the entire squad – taking on Afghanistan in subcontinent conditions will require a level of adjustment by both our batting and bowling units,” Ireland batsman, Andrew Balbirnie said on Friday.
“As we saw here at home in the summer, Afghanistan are a quality side with some world-class players, and will be a great challenge in their ‘home’ conditions.
“We are fortunate that Graham Ford [head coach]has scheduled a batting camp in December which will provide a number of our batsmen with some exposure to those conditions – it will be particularly beneficial for some of the younger guys like Harry Tector and James McCollum who won’t have experienced Indian pitches,” Balbirnie said.
He continued, “The level and regularity of top-quality international cricket in 2019 will be exciting for Irish cricket fans. The year will start with this Afghanistan series, and will involve a busy home schedule of matches involving multiple Full Member nations – starting with an ODI against England at Malahide in May. There’s also the Lord’s Test against England in July, and the year will end with the T20 World Cup Qualifier tournament in October.”
