Ireland v Afghanistan, 1st ODI

Ireland’s men play the first of two one-day internationals against Afghanistan at Bready Cricket Club on Wednesday, 5 August 2026, with a 10:45am start. It is the opening fixture of a five-match ODI series, Afghanistan’s first tour of Ireland in this format, which continues with a second ODI at the same County Tyrone ground two days later before the series moves to Belfast for the remaining three matches.

What to expect

Bready has been an international cricket venue since June 2015, when it staged Ireland’s T20I series against Scotland and became Ireland’s fourth ground cleared for international matches by the ICC. A one-day international runs to 50 overs a side and can last up to seven hours, so expect a full day out with breaks for lunch and tea, temporary stands and hospitality set up around the boundary, and a big screen at a rural ground more used to Northern Cricket Union club fixtures. Bready has a strong cricket pedigree of its own, holding senior status since 1974 and fielding junior teams in North West cricket since 1938. The same week, the ground also stages a Cricket Ireland Women’s Super 50 fixture between Dragons and Typhoons on 10 August, giving Bready an unusually busy fortnight of top-level cricket.

Getting there

Bready is a small village on the A5 between Strabane and Derry, around 10 minutes’ drive from Strabane. The ground has spectator parking for matchday, though early arrival is advised given the scale of an international fixture at a village ground.

While you’re in Bready

Bready is a quiet village in the Strabane district of west Tyrone, within easy reach of the Sperrins and the Ulster American Folk Park. There is more to see across Co. Tyrone.

Good to know

• Date: Wednesday, 5 August 2026, first ball 10:45am
• Venue: Bready Cricket Club, Bready
• Also at Bready: 2nd ODI, Friday, 7 August 2026
• Price: paid entry, see cricketireland.ie for prices
• Series: five-match Ireland v Afghanistan ODI series, continuing in Belfast from 10 August 2026