Ireland have scrapped plans to host Afghanistan in a multi-format cricket series this year, citing financial constraints amid a bustling summer schedule. Cricket Ireland unveiled their 2025 international fixtures on Tuesday, confirming the cancellation of one Test, three ODIs, and three T20Is against Afghanistan, originally part of the Men’s Future Tours Programme (FTP). The decision makes way for historic tours by England Men’s T20I team and Zimbabwe Women, alongside Ireland’s women’s bid to qualify for the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup.
Warren Deutrom, Cricket Ireland’s Chief Executive, clarified that the move was driven by budgetary pressures, not political motives—despite similar cancellations by Australia and England in recent years amid calls from Human Rights Watch to suspend Afghanistan’s ICC membership over human rights concerns. “One planned series that won’t go ahead for financial reasons is against Afghanistan,” Deutrom said. “This decision reflects our management of short-term budgetary constraints and the Board’s mandate to ensure balanced investment across our strategic objectives.”
Ireland’s men’s team, which has played only 10 Tests since gaining Full Member status in 2017, will miss out on hosting Afghanistan, against whom they secured their maiden Test victory in the UAE in 2024. Instead, the focus shifts to a packed calendar. The men’s side will welcome West Indies for three ODIs in May and three T20Is in June, followed by a landmark visit from England Men in September for their first-ever T20I series in Ireland, comprising three matches. Meanwhile, Ireland have hosted just two of their 10 Tests to date, with recent wins against Zimbabwe at home in 2024 and away last month boosting their red-ball credentials.
On the women’s front, Cricket Ireland announced the national team’s schedule for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Qualifiers, set to take place in Pakistan. Following the successful hosting of the Men’s Champions Trophy earlier this year, Pakistan is reportedly gearing up to stage the women’s qualifying event, though the ICC has yet to confirm official dates and venues. Ireland Women will play warm-up matches against West Indies and Bangladesh on April 5 and 7, respectively, before launching their campaign against hosts Pakistan on April 9. They will then face West Indies (April 11), Bangladesh (April 13), Thailand (April 15), and Scotland (April 18) in the league stage.
Six teams—Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, Thailand, and West Indies—will compete in the qualifiers across various Pakistani cities. The two finalists will join the top six teams from the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 in the eight-team World Cup, set to be held in India later this year. For Ireland, it’s a chance to return to the global stage for the first time since 2005.
While the Afghanistan series cancellation disappoints some fans, Ireland’s 2025 lineup promises excitement. The women’s team will also host Zimbabwe Women for three T20Is and two ODIs in July—their first tour under the Women’s FTP 2025-29—followed by Pakistan Women for three ODIs in August. Deutrom’s focus remains on sustainable growth, with preparations underway for Ireland to co-host the 2030 T20 World Cup alongside England and Scotland. For now, financial pragmatism has sidelined Afghanistan, but Ireland’s cricket calendar is far from quiet.
Qualifier Schedule for Ireland Women:
- April 5: Warm-up vs. West Indies Women
- April 7: Warm-up vs. Bangladesh Women
- April 9: Ireland Women vs. Pakistan Women
- April 11: Ireland Women vs. West Indies Women
- April 13: Ireland Women vs. Bangladesh Women
- April 15: Ireland Women vs. Thailand Women
- April 18: Ireland Women vs. Scotland Women
