COVID-19: UAE-Ireland ODI called off again after situation worsens
Jan 12, 2021
Abu Dhabi [UAE], January 12 : Two days after the second ODI between the UAE and Ireland was postponed, the Tuesday match was called off after a further player tested positive for COVID-19.
"Emirates Cricket Board has advised Cricket Ireland of a further player who has tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, it has been agreed that Tuesday's ODI will be suspended," Cricket Ireland said in a statement.
Last week, the second ODI was postponed after Alishan Sharafu tested positive for coronavirus on Saturday.
He is the third member of the UAE squad to return a positive result, following Chirag Suri and Aryan Lakra. The tests that were carried out on December 29 were all negative. Players were then isolated in their separate rooms (in the team hotel) for three days
"Emirates Cricket Board has confirmed that Tuesday's match in the ODI Series 2021 against Ireland has been suspended. This decision, supported by Cricket Ireland, was made after a new directive was received from authorities," Emirates Cricket Board said on Monday.
"This followed over 48 hours of self-isolation by the UAE team after four reported positive cases of Covid-19. Additionally, the directive from the authorities requires the UAE team to remain in quarantine for an extended period of time," it added.
In the first ODI, the UAE defeated Ireland by six wickets on Friday. Paul Stirling's unbeaten century - his second in consecutive ODI innings - positioned Ireland well in the first ODI but a clinical run chase by UAE saw the home side achieve its first-ever ODI win over a Full Member.
