A two-match long T20I series between Pakistan and Ireland that was scheduled to be played in England in June this year has been postponed once again. The series was initially agreed upon for the last year but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Cricket Ireland had held discussions with ECB to host Pakistan for the T20 series as one of their home ground at Clontarf was not ready for a game after the square was relaid. However, the ECB pulled its hand away from the commitment citing a busy schedule in June with the World Test Championship and a Test series against New Zealand being scheduled to be played in the same month.
"We had agreements drawn up with two grounds but the ECB came back to us and said that they had so many international teams coming into the country already and that the logistics around bubbles and Covid protocols are such a significant operation that having another two countries in at that time was just too much,” Cricket Ireland's performance director, Richard Holdsworth, said ESPNcricinfo.
Holdsworth expressed regret at missing out on a valuable opportunity to play against a top side in the year of the World T20. But, he has not given up on his plan to host Pakistan and they are still on the lookout for the options.
He also expressed optimism that the other planned series against South Africa and Zimbabwe scheduled for August later this year will go as per the plans.