Key pacer to skip Pakistan series for IPL as Ireland T20I squad announced

Josh Little, who is currently playing in the IPL, will miss the three-match series against Pakistan, but is part of the T20 World Cup squad

PHOTO: AFP

Ireland have announced their T20 squads for the upcoming three- series against Pakistan in Dublin and the impending ICC Men’s T20 World Cup set to kick off next month.

Ireland pacer Josh Little, who is currently playing for Gujarat Titans in the IPL, will miss the three-match series against Pakistan, but is part of the T20 World Cup squad.

Head coach Heinrich Malan emphasized the intense T20 cricket schedule awaiting the team, with seven matches scheduled within 15 days leading up to the World Cup.

"We have an intensive block of T20 cricket coming up this month ahead of the T20 World Cup – we have seven games in 15 days as preparation for the tournament," Malan said.

While acknowledging Little's IPL commitments until the culmination of his team's campaign, Malan anticipates his timely integration into the squad ahead of the prestigious tournament.

"The squad is one that we have gradually developed and tested out over the last 18 or so months – the skill sets we need to cover are there, albeit we have allowed Josh [Little] to continue in the IPL until his side end their campaign, so he will likely join us ahead of the big tournament," he added.

Ireland squad for Pakistan T20I Series

Paul Stirling (Capt), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.

Ireland squad for T20 World Cup

Paul Stirling (Capt), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young