Ireland’s decision to stage a full one‑day international series for their men’s team against Afghanistan this summer could cost them lucrative future fixtures against England. The ECB’s policy is backed by the UK government, but Cricket Ireland has taken a different view and has developed close relations with the Afghanistan Cricket Board, offering it five ODIs this month, all of which will take place in Northern Ireland. In a reciprocal arrangement Ireland will play Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates next March for one Test, three ODIs and three T20 fixtures. While Afghanistan are the only ICC full member not to operate a women’s cricket programme the world governing body has not banned them. Australia, South Africa and New Zealand also refuse to play Afghanistan in bilateral series, however, with Ireland joining West Indies, Zimbabwe and the four Asian ICC full members in granting them fixtures.