Cricket Ireland on June 11 released an official statement on Belfast violence, following stabbing of a 40-year-old by a Sudanese asylum seeker. The violence escalated, leading to vehicles being set on fire, properties of migrant families vandalised. The violence has led to Cricket Ireland monitoring the situation and will take a call on their domestic cricket fixtures on June 14.
“Cricket Ireland is continuing to monitor the situation in areas currently experiencing community unrest and will make a decision within the next 48 hours regarding this Sunday’s Irish Senior Cup and National Cup fixtures," the statement read.
“We remain in close consultation with the relevant authorities and our provincial unions. The safety and security of players, coaches, match officials, and supporters is paramount in our deliberations. Further updates will be provided as they become available."
The statement was issued after the Inter-Provincial T20 Festival in Lisburn was called off. Meanwhile, as per a report by Jagran, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is concerned about the widespread violence. The Indian board is also closely monitoring the situation.
India vs Ireland T20I series schedule
The two-T20I series is scheduled to take place from June 26 to 28 at Belfast's Civil Service Cricket Club. There is a possibility that the T20I series may be shifted to a different venue like Dublin. Or else, the T20I series may be shelved. India are scheduled to play T20I and ODI series in England from July 1 to July 19. The India-Ireland T20Is can be played on England soil as well.
Sooryavanshi’s T20I debut delayed?
India’s teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is expected to make his T20I debut in Ireland after an orange cap-winning run in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 for Rajasthan Royals (RR). The T20I series will also mark Shreyas Iyer’s T20I captaincy debut.
India’s updated squad for Ireland T20Is
Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (VC), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Prasidh Krishna.