Afghanistan in Ireland 2026/27

Afghanistan in Ireland is a bilateral cricket tour rather than a permanent league competition. It denotes a series of international matches played between the Afghanistan national cricket team and the Ireland national cricket team, hosted in Ireland. There is no permanent trophy or league structure with this name. The series are organized by Cricket Ireland and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) as part of the ICC's bilateral calendar. Both nations are Full Members of the International Cricket Council, having gained Test status in 2017. Matches in this arrangement are Full Member bilateral series, carrying full One Day International, Twenty20 International, and occasionally Test status. The format typically consists of a mix of ODIs and T20Is played in a single-leg format. The 2026 series featured five ODIs. Matches are held at Ireland's primary international venues: Malahide Cricket Club Ground in Dublin and Civil Service Cricket Club in Stormont, Belfast. Bready Cricket Club Ground has also been used for fixtures. This arrangement differs from domestic leagues such as the Inter-Provincial Series in Ireland or the Shpageeza Cricket League in Afghanistan. It is also distinct from global tournaments like the ICC Cricket World Cup or the T20 World Cup. The "Afghanistan in Ireland" series is a specific bilateral agreement between two national associations. The relationship has grown significantly since Afghanistan's rise in the late 2000s. Ireland's cricket administration was founded in 1923 and reconstituted in 2008. Afghanistan's cricket board was formed in 1995 by refugees. The series allows both teams to compete against each other outside of major global tournaments. The most recent prominent series occurred in 2026. These tours provide important competitive opportunities for both sides. The fixtures are scheduled according to the international cricket calendar. Visitors play against each other in a contained environment. The series highlights the growing prominence of both nations in international cricket. Ireland hosts the matches while Afghanistan provides the visiting squad. This arrangement supports the development of cricket in both countries.