Ireland and Afghanistan to clash in opening ODI on Aug 5

Ireland will host Afghanistan in the first match of a five-game One Day International series at the Bready Cricket Club in Northern Ireland on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. The series marks the beginning of a new era for both sides, which are under fresh leadership and seeking momentum in the run-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup.

The tour opener follows contrasting recent form for both teams. Ireland enters the series buoyed by a 2-0 T20I series victory over India last month and a shared ODI series against the West Indies before that. Afghanistan, however, is aiming to recover from a 3-0 ODI series whitewash away to India earlier this year. The visitors hold a significant recent advantage in the format, having won the last six ODI encounters between the two nations; Ireland’s last victory against Afghanistan came in March 2019.

This series initiates significant leadership changes for both sides. Afghanistan’s leading run-scorer in ODIs, Rahmat Shah, will captain the side for the first time after regular skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi stepped down from the role in June. Shahidi remains in the squad as a batter. The visitors will be without the experienced all-rounder Mohammad Nabi for the...