Afghanistan to play series against Ireland in India

Mumbai: Afghanistan’s Indian coach Lalchand Rajput has revealed that India will host matches between Afghanistan and Ireland next month.

Speaking exclusively, Rajput says, "We are playing three T-20 matches, 5 ODIs, and a 4-day match against Ireland at the Greater Noida Stadium next month".

The ICC has recently cleared Greater Noida as a venue for the international matches.

West Indies and Ireland's former coach Phil Simmons will be Afghanistan’s bowling consultant. Interestingly, former Sri Lankan pace bowler Chaminda Vaas was Afghanistan's first choice as its bowling coach.

Rajput said, "We were looking at a bowling coach and Chaminda Vaas was the other one but (ultimately we) finalized on Simmons".

The 44-year-old Vaas, who has grabbed over 700 wickets in all three formats of the game, has worked with the Sri Lankan and Irish teams in the recent past. Before becoming a cricketer, he intended to be a priest. It is said that a Roman Catholic Vaas never missed praying before going on the field.

Talking about the appointment of Simmons, Rajput says, "It's good to have somebody who had knowledge and a wealth of experience. Simmons was with the Irish team so it will help us against them before playing the West Indies there".