Ireland ODI postponed after UAE outbreak

IRELAND’S second one-day international against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi scheduled for today has been postponed because another player in the home side’s squad has tested positive for coronavirus.

Alishan Sharafu made his ODI debut batting in the middle order on Friday but contributed just one from nine balls as the UAE won the series opener by six wickets, overhauling Ireland’s 269 for five with six deliveries to spare.

The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has announced Alishan has become the third UAE player in the space of three days to test positive for Covid-19, with vice-captain Chirag Suri and Aryan Lakra the others found to have contracted the virus.

The boards of both sides have therefore agreed to rejig the rest of the series, with the final three ODIs to take place on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday next week.

Richard Holdsworth, high performance director for Cricket

Ireland, said: ‘The Emirates Cricket Board has advised us of a further positive Covid test amongst its playing squad.

‘We have both agreed the safest course of action is to postpone the second ODI scheduled for tomorrow. We hope to play this match on January 16th, all going well.

‘All Irish players have tested negative. We appreciate the speed and transparency of Emirates Cricket to ensure that the health and safety of players, support staff and workers at the ground comes first.’

The ECB said in a statement on its website that Chirag and Aryan were isolated in their hotel rooms immediately after testing positive, but Alishan is currently awaiting transfer to a medical isolation facility.