two cases Ireland's international cricket match with UAE cancelled after Covid outbreak

The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has announced that the second ODI against Ireland on Sunday is to be rescheduled for January 16 following the confirmation that a UAE player has tested positive for Covid-19.

The UAE camp received a body blow ahead of the beginning of the four-match series against Ireland when two of their players — vice-captain Chirag Suri and Aryan Lakra — tested positive for coronavirus on Friday.

The ECB statement added that the decision to reschedule Sunday’s match was made with the agreement of Cricket Ireland and Abu Dhabi Cricket, in the best interests of all parties involved.

High performance director for Cricket Ireland Richard Holdsworth said: "The Emirates Cricket Board has advised us today of a further positive Covid test amongst its playing squad, and we have both agreed the safest course of action is to postpone the second ODI scheduled for tomorrow.

"We hope to play this match on January 16, all going well.

"All Irish players have tested negative. We appreciate the speed and transparency of Emirates Cricket to ensure that the health and safety of players, support staff and workers at the ground comes first."

The next ODI will take place on January 12, followed by the third on January 14 and the final match of the series on January 16.

A statement from the Emirates Cricket Board revealed that Alishan Sharafu had become the third UAE player in the space of three days to test positive after Chirag Suri and Aryan Lakra.

Sharafu made his ODI debut batting in the middle order in the first ODI on Friday but contributed just one from nine balls.

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