UAE and Ireland reschedule second ODI after positive Covid-19 test

The game, initially scheduled as the second ODI, will now be played on January 16 as the fourth match of the series

Ireland’s second one-day international against United Arab Emirates has been postponed and rescheduled after a player in the home side’s squad tested positive for Covid-19.

Alishan Sharafu, a 17-year-old opening batsman who made his ODI debut on Friday, recorded the positive test. He is the third UAE player to test positive in recent days, following Chirag Suri and Aryan Lakra, both of whom have since been isolating.

The first match was won by UAE, who successfully chased a target of 270 for victory thanks to centuries from Chundangapoyil Rizwan and Mohammad Usman.

The game, initially scheduled as the second ODI, will now be played on January 16 as the fourth match of the series.

Cricket Ireland high performance director 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 the 16th January, 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 between the countries is due to take place on January 12. Earlier in the first game, Paul Stirling had struck an unbeaten century for Ireland.