It proved a game too far for Ireland in the heat of Greater Noida as Afghanistan confirmed their superiority in all three formats to relegate William Porterfield's squad to second place in the Associate rankings.
Ian Bell admits he is eyeing an England return and has targeted making Ashes history.
In the end, it was quick, brutal and painless. Ireland surrendered their position at the top of the Intercontinental Cup table 70 minutes before the close of the penultimate day as Afghanistan inflicted Ireland's biggest ever defeat - an innings and 172 runs.
Afghanistan moved a step closer to the opportunity of securing Test cricket with a comprehensive victory over Ireland by an innings and 172 runs in their Intercontinental Cup at Greater Noida with a day to spare.
Former Lurgan and Ireland international Alan Johnston has died after a long illness. He was 63. One of the most popular and likeable figures on the circuit, Johnston would have won more than three international caps for Ireland but for his religious beliefs which prevented him...
Ireland's nightmare day was delayed by only 24 hours as Afghanistan continued to turn the screw in both teams' most important match of the year. It may be the ninth game in three weeks between these fierce Associate rivals but the Ireland batsmen are no nearer solving the...
Afsar Zazai produced an unbeaten century and leg-spinner Rashid Khan claimed five wickets as Afghanistan put themselves in control of their Intercontinental Cup clash with Ireland, who still trailed by 367 runs at the end of day two in Greater Noida.
Afghanistan were in command on 357 for six after day one of their Intercontinental Cup clash with Ireland in the heat and humidity of Greater Noida.
Ed Joyce is ready to help Ireland to crucial Intercontinental Cup success after a modest one-day series against Afghanistan.
Paul Stirling was named player of the series in Greater Noida but his efforts were not enough to prevent Afghanistan winning the final one-day international to seal a 3-2 victory.
Ireland lost their one-day international series decider against Afghanistan by seven wickets.
Gary Wilson claims the Ireland team deserve great credit for taking the five-match one-day international series against Afghanistan to the last game after losing the first two matches.
Man of the match Kevin O'Brien is almost certain to miss Ireland's series decider against Afghanistan tomorrow with the same hamstring injury which kept him out of the second and third one-day internationals.
Kevin O'Brien produced a brave and outstanding all-round performance to carry Ireland to a series-levelling three-wicket win over Afghanistan in the fourth one-day international at Greater Noida.
One down, two to go is the Ireland players' attitude as they prepare to back up their first win over Afghanistan with another tomorrow to set up a decider in the five-match one-day international series on Friday.
Ireland must try to win the one-day international series and maintain their unbeaten record in the Intercontinental Cup against Afghanistan without Boyd Rankin.
Paul Stirling made 99 as Ireland secured victory in the third one-day international against Afghanistan, their first win in six matches on tour.
For the second one-day international in succession, an Ireland player won the man of the match award, but it was scant consolation as Afghanistan took a 2-0 lead in the five-match series in Greater Noida.
It's not often you have the chance to feel sorry for a captain after his team suffer a third batting collapse in as many matches, but Ireland skipper William Porterfield was that person yesterday after defeat to Afghanistan in the first ODI - which comes on the back of their 3-0...
A century by William Porterfield was in vain as Ireland's losing streak against Afghanistan continued after being defeated by 30 runs in the opening one-day international in Greater Noida.
Nine months ago, Stuart Thompson was not in a good place on the cricket field. He had just played on 17 consecutive days for club, country and province, and the prospect of another three for Ireland 'A' in Ayr was all too much.
Boyd Rankin remains a doubt for Ireland's first one-day international against Afghanistan in Greater Noida tomorrow (4am GMT) with a back complaint.
Ireland posted their fifth highest total in a Twenty20 international but still lost the final game of the three-match series against Afghanistan by 28 runs.
Afghanistan completed a 3-0 T20 series whitewash over Ireland with a 28-run victory in Greater Noida.
Ireland were on the receiving end of another horror batting collapse in Greater Noida as Rashid Khan showed why the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise paid almost £500,000 for the Afghanistan teenager to play in the Indian Premier League.
Afghanistan took an unassailable 2-0 lead in their three-match T20 series against Ireland following a 17-run success under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.
Ireland captain William Porterfield believes he can limit the number of boundaries the free-scoring Afghanistan batsmen hit when the teams meet in the second Twenty20 international in Greater Noida today (8.30am GMT).
William Porterfield will probably still be asking himself "what if?" this morning when he looks back at Ireland's six-wicket defeat to Afghanistan in the first Twenty20 international between the teams in Greater Noida.
Samiullah Shenwari's half-century saw Afghanistan beat Ireland by six wickets in the first Twenty20 international.
A new ground but familiar opponents in a country where they enjoyed their greatest win awaited Ireland this morning in the first of three Twenty20 internationals.
Virat Kohli's war of words with Steve Smith reached boiling point as the second Test between India and Australia turned ugly.
It always promised to be an exciting three weeks of cricket once Ireland's trip to India to play Afghanistan, their only serious challengers at Associate level, was confirmed but it became a must-watch series last month when Phil Simmons was appointed consultant coach to...
Captain William Porterfield continued his rediscovered fine form with 76 as Ireland comfortably chased 203 to beat United Arab Emirates 2-0 in their brief one-day series.
On the sixth anniversary of Ireland's greatest win, the celebrations were not quite so ecstatic after they defeated UAE by 85 runs in Dubai in their first one day international of the year.
A century from captain William Porterfield and three wickets by George Dockrell helped Ireland to an 85-run victory over the United Arab Emirates in the first one-day international in Dubai.
There is a touch of irony that Ireland will field a stronger side against UAE in Dubai tomorrow than they did in their last one-day international against Australia, the world's No 1 side, in September.
Storm Doris delayed the Ireland squad's departure yesterday morning for a five-week tour of the UAE and India which will see them play seven one-day internationals, three Twenty20 internationals and an Intercontinental Cup (four-day) game.
Ireland are set to play their first Test in 2018 , according to Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom.
Ben Stokes is one of several England players who will miss the one-day internationals against Ireland in May after he was bought at the Indian Premier League auction yesterday.
New England Test captain Joe Root says he will be an "instinctive" captain - and has vowed to put his own "stamp" on the role.
As Test cricket looms for Ireland, the women will also be playing alongside the elite for the next four years after retaining their one-day international status by reaching the Super Sixes at the World Cup qualifying tournament in Sri Lanka.
Joe Root described himself as "privileged, humbled and very excited" after being confirmed as England's new Test captain.
Cricket Ireland plan to hit the ground running if, as expected, they are granted Test status at the International Cricket Council’s Annual meeting in June.
Alastair Cook admitted a sense of melancholy at relinquishing the England Test captaincy but knew it was the right time to stand down after feeling he could no longer give the role his all.
Alastair Cook's resignation as England Test captain puts Joe Root centre stage as by far his most likely successor - but there will be no immediate confirmation of his appointment.
The structure of Test and one-day international cricket appears set for a radical and much-anticipated overhaul after consensus on the future was reached at a high-level meeting - with Ireland set to be granted Test status.
Former Ireland coach Phil Simmons will be in India next month for the nine-match series against Afghanistan - as consultant coach with the Afghans.
England captain Eoin Morgan condemned but could not explain his side's batting collapse in Bangalore after India won the Twenty20 series with a 75-run rout.
Jacob Mulder is the one new name in the Ireland squad for the top of the table Intercontinental Cup match against Afghanistan in Greater Noida at the end of March.
Alex Hales' broken hand has cost him a place in England's one-day series in the West Indies next month but the selectors have resisted the temptation to tinker with the bowling attack.
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