Paul Stirling returns as Ireland name squad for Afghanistan ODIs, three uncapped players in
Synopsis
Ireland are without six fast bowlers through injury but have Stirling back and three uncapped players stepping up — including two who helped beat the reigning T20 world champions India. New head coach Gary Wilson's first assignment begins 5 August at Bready, and the squad selection signals a deliberate reset in playing identity.
Key Takeaways
Paul Stirling returns as captain after recovering from a 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup injury.
Jai Moondra , Ben Calitz , and Byron McDonough earn maiden ODI call-ups in a 14-member squad .
Moondra and Calitz featured in Ireland's T20I series win over reigning champions India .
Six fast bowlers — Josh Little , Matt Holland , Craig Young , Barry McCarthy , Jordan Neill , David Delany — are all unavailable due to injury.
The five-match series begins at Bready on 5 August , with the final three matches at Stormont on 10, 12 and 15 August.
New head coach Gary Wilson takes charge for the first time in this series, Ireland's first ODIs in 15 months .
Ireland captain Paul Stirling has been recalled to the squad for the first three matches of a five-match ODI series against Afghanistan, beginning 5 August at Bready. The opener returns after recovering from an injury sustained during the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, marking a significant boost for the home side ahead of a competitive bilateral contest.
Three Debut Call-Ups in 14-Member Squad
Cricket Ireland on Tuesday, 28 July announced a 14-member squad for the opening three ODIs, with maiden call-ups handed to Jai Moondra, Ben Calitz, and Byron McDonough. Moondra and Calitz were prominent figures in Ireland's historic T20I series victory over India — the reigning Men's T20 World Cup champions — with their performances in that series earning them a step up into the 50-over format.
Injury Blow: Six Fast Bowlers Unavailable
Ireland's pace attack has been severely depleted ahead of the series. Fast bowlers Josh Little, Matt Holland, Craig Young, Barry McCarthy, Jordan Neill, and David Delany are all unavailable due to injury. The absence of six frontline seamers represents a significant selection challenge and will likely shape how the new coaching staff approaches the series.
Gary Wilson Begins Tenure as Head Coach
The Afghanistan series will serve as the first assignment for newly appointed Ireland head coach Gary Wilson. Wilson expressed enthusiasm for the challenge, noting that the squad had been selected to reflect a clear playing philosophy.
'I am very much looking forward to the series against Afghanistan. These are our first ODIs in 15 months, and in the intervening period, many players have put their hand up for selection, which is a great place to be,' Wilson said. He added: 'There is a great rivalry that has built up over the years between the two teams, and I expect that to continue during this series. We have selected a squad that is reflective of the way in which we want to play.'
Series Schedule and Venues
The five-match ODI series opens at Bready on 5 August, with the second match also at Bready on 7 August. The final three fixtures move to Stormont on 10, 12, and 15 August. Ireland and Afghanistan have built a competitive rivalry across formats over the past decade, with closely fought contests in both bilateral series and ICC events.
Full Squad
Ireland squad for first three ODIs: Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Cade Carmichael, George Dockrell, Gavin Hoey, Andrew McBrine, Liam McCarthy, Byron McDonough, Jai Moondra, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker.
Point of View
But it papers over a structural depth problem in Irish seam bowling that no single comeback can fix. The three uncapped inclusions signal that Wilson is building rather than consolidating, which is the right instinct, but the Afghanistan series may expose the gap between intent and resources before that project matures.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Paul Stirling not playing for Ireland recently?
Paul Stirling was sidelined due to an injury sustained during the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. He has recovered and been recalled as captain for the first three ODIs against Afghanistan, beginning 5 August.
Who are the uncapped players in Ireland's ODI squad against Afghanistan?
Jai Moondra, Ben Calitz, and Byron McDonough have all received maiden ODI call-ups. Moondra and Calitz were part of the Ireland side that beat reigning T20 World Cup champions India in a T20I series.
Why are so many Ireland fast bowlers missing from the squad?
Six fast bowlers — Josh Little, Matt Holland, Craig Young, Barry McCarthy, Jordan Neill, and David Delany — are all unavailable due to injury, significantly weakening Ireland's seam bowling options for the series.
When and where does the Ireland vs Afghanistan ODI series begin?
The five-match ODI series begins on 5 August at Bready, with the second match also at Bready on 7 August. The remaining three matches are scheduled at Stormont on 10, 12, and 15 August.
Who is Gary Wilson and why is this series significant for him?
Gary Wilson is Ireland's newly appointed head coach, and the Afghanistan ODI series marks his first assignment in the role. He said the squad was selected to reflect the way Ireland want to play going forward.
