The five-match ODI series between Ireland and Afghanistan will commence on August 5, Wednesday. Here’s the updated ICC team rankings ahead of the series.
The two teams will lock horns in the ODI format for the first time since March 2024. The first two matches of the series will be played at the Bready Cricket Club in Northern Ireland on August 5 and 7. The Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast will host the remaining three ODIs on August 10, 12 and 14.
Afghanistan have the upper hand over Ireland in ODIs, having won the last six matches against them. Ireland last defeated Afghanistan in the format in March 2019. However, they are coming into this series on a high, having defeated T20 world champions India last month in a two-T20I series 2-0.
Jai Moondra, who won the player of the series award against India, has received a maiden ODI call-up for this series. Ben Calitz and Byron McDonough are the other two new faces in Ireland’s squad. Ireland have been hit by injuries, with Josh Little, Matt Hollard, Craig Young, Barry McCarthy, Jordan Neill and David Delany all unavailable for selection.
Meanwhile, the five-match series against Ireland is the first assignment for the new Afghanistan captain, Rahmat Shah, with Hashmatullah Shahidi having stepped down in June this year. Afghanistan lost 0-3 to India in their previous series but must be wary of the hosts in this series, as a loss could affect their position in the ODI rankings.
Afghanistan will also miss their veteran Mohammad Nabi, while spin bowler Mujeeb Ur Rahman wasn’t available due to injury.
Latest ICC men’s ODI rankings ahead of IRE vs AFG series
Afghanistan are ranked eighth in the latest ICC ODI rankings with 90 rating points. The cut off date for automatic qualification for the World Cup 2027 is September 30, 2026, with the top eight sides in the rankings minus South Africa, who automatically qualify as hosts.
While there is no immediate threat to their qualification as of now, a series loss will see them lose quite a few points. Ireland are placed 12th in the rankings with 54 points, and they will be continuing their winning momentum from the India series.
Position | Team | Matches | Points | Rating |
1 | India | 33 | 3841 | 116 |
2 | New Zealand | 35 | 3809 | 109 |
3 | Australia | 29 | 2965 | 102 |
4 | South Africa | 28 | 2855 | 102 |
5 | Pakistan | 32 | 3215 | 100 |
6 | Sri Lanka | 36 | 3470 | 96 |
7 | England | 31 | 2898 | 93 |
8 | Afghanistan | 24 | 2154 | 90 |
9 | Bangladesh | 39 | 3251 | 83 |
10 | West Indies | 34 | 2624 | 77 |
11 | Zimbabwe | 15 | 941 | 63 |
12 | Ireland | 12 | 653 | 54 |
13 | Netherlands | 30 | 1309 | 44 |
14 | Scotland | 25 | 1071 | 43 |
15 | USA | 26 | 1035 | 40 |
16 | Oman | 22 | 716 | 33 |
17 | Namibia | 20 | 623 | 31 |
18 | Nepal | 31 | 790 | 25 |
19 | United Arab Emirates | 23 | 357 | 16 |
20 | Canada | 19 | 242 | 13 |
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