UAE vs Ireland 2nd ODI suspended, series in trouble after COVID-19 positive cases emerge

Ireland cricket team, currently in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), were due to play their second ODI against the hosts on Tuesday, January 12. However, their entire four-match tour has now come under a flux after several UAE players tested positive for the contagious coronavirus disease. While the UAE vs Ireland 2nd ODI has been called off, it remains to be seen how the remainder of the series will now pan out in the desert country.

UAE vs Ireland 2nd ODI suspended

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UAE vs Ireland series gets plagued with COVID-19

As many as four UAE players have been tested positive for coronavirus so far in the series. After the recent update, cricket boards of both nations made a call to suspend the UAE vs Ireland 2nd ODI.

In a statement released by the Emirates Cricket Board, the UAE team recently underwent 48 hours of self-isolation. Furthermore, the authorities require the UAE players to remain in quarantine for an extended period of time. In regards to the remainder of the UAE vs Ireland series, an official call will be made by the cricket boards after an agreement has been “reached and approved” by them.

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Impact on Afghanistan vs Ireland series

After facing hosts UAE, Ireland were scheduled to face Afghanistan between January 21 and 26 in a three-match ODI series. The matches against Afghanistan, all set to be played in Abu Dhabi, will be part of the ongoing inaugural edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League. With Ireland’s series against UAE looking uncertain to go forward, it remains to be seen if the eventual outcome will also impact the schedule of their all-important set of matches against a much-stronger Afghanistan unit.

Several Afghanistan cricketers like Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman recently participated in Big Bash League 2020-21 (BBL 2020-21) competition for their respective sides. The three aforementioned players have all departed from Australia to join their Afghanistan squad in the UAE. Afghanistan vice-captain Rashid Khan, who played for the Adelaide Strikers this BBL 2020-21 season, received a standing ovation from the crowd on Monday, January 11 after he finished his four overs spell against Melbourne Stars.

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Image source: Cricket Ireland Twitter