Ireland to host New Zealand in historic Test in May

CBTF Mar 20, 2026
19:35:00
Ireland to host New Zealand in historic Test in May

A momentous home summer beckons Ireland, with the country set to host its maiden Test against New Zealand in May this year.

The announcement comes shortly after Cricbuzz confirmed a two-match T20I rubber for the Irish men's team involving world champions India in June. Following these two marquee assignments, Ireland are set to host Afghanistan for a five-match ODI series in August, with each of these games scheduled to be played at Stormont (Belfast).

The men's team is then set to tour Nepal for a white-ball series, following which they will take part in a warm weather training camp in the UAE, whom they will face in a white-ball series as well. Their players will also take part in the ILT20 as part of a five-year agreement with the Emirates Cricket Board.

Following this is a historic first tour of Pakistan, which is set to be a multi-format series which could potentially involve a third team. Ireland will also return to the UAE to face Afghanistan in a multi-format series. The schedule for these tours are expected to be announced in due course of time.

A busy calendar beckons the Irish women's team too with a host of games in the ICC Women's Championship, besides their participation in the T20 World Cup in the UK. While the Ireland women's team is confirmed to host West Indies for three ODIs in July as part of the Championship, they will also travel to England for a three-match ODI series in September. They are also in line to host India, New Zealand and Pakistan, besides touring Australia, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.

The tour of Zimbabwe is set to take place in early 2027, although the schedule for the rest of the aforementioned series is yet to be announced.

Ireland will also host Pakistan and West Indies' women's teams in a tightly-packed tri-series starting late May as a prelude to the T20 World Cup in June.

In what is a significant move besides this, Cricket Ireland has formally invited the exiled Afghanistan women's team to tour the country during the summer. This is in addition to an agreement with the Cricket Association of Nepal for the Irish men's team to play an annual white-ball series in Nepal.

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