Cricket Ireland has confirmed that comprehensive security arrangements are in place for the upcoming men’s one-day international series against Afghanistan, following concerns regarding potential protests. The organization has worked closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to ensure the five-match series proceeds safely.
Hosting the series has drawn public criticism due to the Taliban’s suppression of women’s rights in Afghanistan, where female access to sports, education, and public life has been effectively banned since 2021. The first two matches are scheduled for Bready, with the final three taking place at Stormont in August. While the PSNI did not detail specific operational plans, they stated that a proportionate response would be enacted to maintain public safety and uphold the right to peaceful protest.
Cricket Ireland chief executive Sarah Keane previously acknowledged the moral difficulty of hosting the matches. Meanwhile, Amnesty International representative Felix Jakens urged organizers and the ICC to ensure the series is not utilized as a propaganda tool by the Taliban, emphasizing that the human rights crisis in Afghanistan must remain in the public eye. Various advocacy groups have similarly questioned the appropriateness of the series, citing the systemic inequality faced by women under the current Afghan administration.
