India to tour Ireland in August for T20I series

Cricket Ireland confirmed on Friday that India will return to Ireland in August for a three-match T20I series. (March 17). India recently visited the country for a two-match series in the shortest format, which the visitors won 2-0.

The short series will be played at Malahide from August 18 to 23. Prior to hosting India, Ireland will host Bangladesh in a three-match One-Day International series in Chelmsford in May. The series, which is part of the ODI Super League, is critical for Ireland because a 3-0 win will automatically qualify them for the global event later this year in India.

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If Ireland fails to defeat Bangladesh, they will travel to Zimbabwe in June to compete in a World Cup qualifier. Ireland is currently on an all-formats tour in Bangladesh, and will then travel to Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series.

Warren Deutrom, Chief Executive of Cricket Ireland, confirmed that the weather in Ireland was a major factor in the decision to relocate the ODI Super League fixtures to Chelmsford, England.

“We will be taking on Bangladesh in a three-match ODI series that offers us a shot at World Cup qualification – and while they are home matches, we’ve made the decision to play the fixtures in Chelmsford,” he said. “The reason for this is mostly around maximising our chances of playing the three matches – as we need to play and win the three games to qualify.

“After in-depth consideration, it was decided that this approach gave us the best chance of securing automatic qualification, particularly given the fact that the matches have to be played before the World Cup Super League cut-off in mid-May. We need a venue where the weather patterns and playing facilities give us the best chance of mitigating any rain impacts. Unfortunately, it is likely too early in the Irish season to prepare pitches to ODI standard unless we have a remarkably dry April.”