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Ireland's summer cricket match...

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Ireland's summer cricket matches against New Zealand and Pakistan postponed


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Cricket Ireland have confirmed that their matches this summer against New Zealand and Pakistan have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

World Cup runners up New Zealand had been due to take on Ireland in five matches but the Black Caps have decided against travelling to Europe next month.

Ireland have also been forced to call off two T-20 matches against Pakistan which had been due to be played in July, it follows the postponement of a series with Bangladesh earlier this year.

"It had become fairly obvious following the recent series of Government announcements in the Republic and UK that the New Zealand series was not feasible," Cricket Ireland chief Warren Deutrom said of the decision.

"While of course it's disappointing for the fans in Northern Ireland, who I know were looking forward to the visit of the World Cup runners-up, given the circumstances we entirely understand NZC was left with no choice but to stay at home."

"Unfortunately, with numerous complications around Government roadmap timelines, biosecurity, quarantining, and scheduling harmony, it just hasn't been possible to find a way to get the matches played.

"We deeply regret that we can't provide any international cricket at home to our fans this year, but we were always up against it, with our entire home international programme coming in the first half of the season."

Deutrom is hopeful that this autumn's One Day Internationals against England will still be able to go ahead as planned:

"Discussions with the ECB are ongoing. We will try to be as flexible as possible around these - as they are currently set to be our first fixtures as part of the new World Cup Super League.

"However, numerous challenges have to be resolved - notably around timing, biosecure venues and quarantine requirements for players who travel.

"We will continue to work with the ECB on trying to make these fixtures happen, but the issues involved will take a little while to work through."


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