Ireland have named their squad for the first three one-day internationals against Afghanistan, with the series starting on Wednesday, August 5. Paul Stirling returns to lead the side after recovering from an injury sustained during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The announcement brings an end to a long gap since Ireland’s last ODI outing, and it introduces three uncapped players into the fold ahead of a five-match contest against a familiar rival.
Stirling Leads Squad Featuring Three ODI Debutants
Jai Moondra, Ben Calitz and Byron McDonough have each earned their first ODI call-ups for the series. Moondra and Calitz featured prominently in Ireland’s recent T20I series win over India, a result that put both players firmly in contention for a place in the 50-over setup. Their inclusion reflects a broader push to blend fresh talent with Ireland’s established core.
The full squad for the opening three matches reads: Paul Stirling (captain), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Cade Carmichael, George Dockrell, Gavin Hoey, Andrew McBrine, Liam McCarthy, Byron McDonough, Jai Moondra, Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker.
Ireland will be without several regulars for this series. Josh Little, Matt Hollard, Craig Young, Barry McCarthy, Jordan Neill and David Delany have all been ruled out through injury, opening the door for the newcomers to stake their claim at the international level.
Gary Wilson Takes Charge of First Series as Head Coach
Head coach Gary Wilson will oversee his first series in charge of the Ireland setup. Speaking about the upcoming matches, Wilson said he is looking forward to facing Afghanistan again, noting that this marks Ireland’s first ODI assignment in 15 months. He pointed out that several players have pushed hard for selection during that period, calling it a positive sign for the depth of the squad.
Wilson also referenced the competitive history between the two sides, stating that the rivalry built up over the years is expected to continue through this series. He added that the squad selected reflects the brand of cricket Ireland want to play going forward, suggesting a shift toward a more aggressive and expansive approach with both bat and ball.
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Five-Match Series Set for Bready and Stormont
The series will run across two venues in Northern Ireland, giving fans at both grounds a chance to watch the two sides compete. Bready will host the first two matches, before the action shifts to Stormont for the remaining three fixtures.
The full schedule
1st ODI: August 5, Bready
2nd ODI: August 7, Bready
3rd ODI: August 10, Stormont
4th ODI: August 12, Stormont
5th ODI: August 15, Stormont
With Stirling back at the helm and a trio of new faces added to the mix, Ireland head into the series with a squad shaped by both experience and opportunity. The results over the coming weeks will offer an early indication of how the side plans to build toward its next major assignment, with Wilson’s tactical stamp likely to become clearer as the matches unfold.
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