The Afghanistan team's visa applications for travel to the UAE were delayed,[7] resulting in the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) making contingency plans for the series to be played in Oman.[8] However, on 5 January 2021, the ACB confirmed that the team would be travelling to the UAE per the original schedule.[9] The start of the series was moved back three days from the original schedule,[10] due to the visa issues and a ten-day quarantine period in place in the UAE.[11]
In the opening match, debutant Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 127 runs to help Afghanistan win by 16 runs.[12] In the second match, Rahmat Shah scored a century, with Afghanistan winning by seven wickets to take an unassailable lead in the series.[13] Afghanistan won the third ODI by 36 runs, to win the series 3–0.[14]
David Delany was ruled out of the series due to a knee injury, with Josh Little joining Ireland's squad.[17] Little was originally named in the team, but had to self-isolate after a positive COVID-19 result from a close contact.[18]Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman were all playing in the Big Bash League in Australia, before leaving the tournament to join the rest of the Afghanistan squad.[19] On 11 January 2021, Shane Getkate was added to Ireland's squad, as a replacement for David Delany,[20] and Conor Olphert was added to their squad as a net bowler.[21]
Tour match
Ahead of the ODI series, the two teams played in unofficial warm-up match, with Afghanistan winning by 23 runs.[22]
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