Ireland Announce Namibia and Zimbabwe Tours to Prepare for 2027 World Cup Qualifier

Ireland to play five ODIs in Namibia before Ireland Wolves travel to Zimbabwe for two four-day matches and five one-day games in November.

Ireland have announced a busy international schedule as they step up preparations for next year's ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier. The senior men's team will tour Namibia for a five-match ODI series later this month, followed by an Ireland Wolves tour of Zimbabwe featuring two four-day matches and five one-day games in November.

Ireland have failed to qualify for the last two men's 50-over World Cups and will be determined to secure a place at the 2027 edition. They are scheduled to travel to South Africa and Namibia in February and March next year for the 10-team World Cup Qualifier, where four qualification spots will be available.

The upcoming tours will give Ireland's players valuable opportunities to gain experience in conditions similar to those they could encounter during the qualification campaign.

Paul Stirling to Lead Ireland in Namibia ODIs

Ireland will play all five ODIs against Namibia in Windhoek, with Paul Stirling named captain and Lorcan Tucker appointed vice-captain and wicketkeeper.

The series will be particularly significant as Ireland have never previously played a men's ODI against Namibia. Their most recent meeting in a full men's international took place at the 2021 T20 World Cup in Sharjah.

Ireland's selectors have retained a squad largely similar to the one that suffered a 4-0 ODI series defeat at home against Afghanistan in August. Left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys is the only addition to the squad, having earned his place following impressive performances in T20 cricket despite not featuring in an ODI since February 2025.

Ireland Wolves to Tour Zimbabwe in November

Following the Namibia series, Ireland Wolves will travel to Zimbabwe for an extensive programme of red-ball and white-ball cricket. The squad includes several members of the senior team, along with emerging players aiming to strengthen their claims for international selection.

Matthew Humphreys will captain the Wolves throughout the tour. Josh Little has also been included for the one-day matches, providing him with an opportunity to regain rhythm after recent struggles with form and fitness.

Mark Adair will feature in the red-ball matches, while several players have been designated specifically for either the red-ball or white-ball fixtures.

The tour will also require some coordination with the ILT20, which begins on November 21. Six Irish players—Lorcan Tucker, Harry Tector, Ross Adair, Mark Adair, Curtis Campher and George Dockrell—were recently selected at the tournament's auction following an agreement between Cricket Ireland and the Emirates Cricket Board.

Most of the Namibia ODI squad will continue to Zimbabwe for the Wolves tour, with Andy Balbirnie and Andy McBrine among those not travelling. The five other Irish players selected for the ILT20 will have a short break before heading to the UAE.

Cricket Ireland Emphasises Importance of Overseas Preparation

Cricket Ireland high-performance director Graeme West highlighted the importance of the tours in preparing players for next year's World Cup Qualifier.

“The tours provide great opportunities for our players to familiarise themselves with the conditions and some of their potential opponents,” West said.

He also welcomed the opportunity for a large group of established and emerging players to spend time playing outdoor cricket during the winter months.

West added that the squads selected for the senior men's and Wolves tours featured the best of Ireland's current and emerging talent, describing the opportunity to play on grass in warmer conditions as a valuable part of their preparation.

Ireland Men's Tour of Namibia: ODI Fixtures

• October 22: First ODI
• October 24: Second ODI
• October 27: Third ODI
• October 30: Fourth ODI
• November 1: Fifth ODI

Venue: Windhoek, Namibia

Ireland Squad

Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Cade Carmichael, George Dockrell, Gavin Hoey, Matthew Humphreys, Andy McBrine, Liam McCarthy, Byron McDonough, Jai Moondra, Jordan Neill, Paul Stirling (captain), Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (vice-captain and wicketkeeper).

Ireland Wolves Tour of Zimbabwe: Fixtures

• November 6–9: First four-day match
• November 13–16: Second four-day match
• November 19: First one-day match
• November 21: Second one-day match
• November 23: Third one-day match
• November 26: Fourth one-day match
• November 28: Fifth one-day match

Venues: To be confirmed

Ireland Wolves Squad

Mark Adair (red-ball only), Ben Calitz, Cade Carmichael, David Delany (white-ball only), Gareth Delany (white-ball only), Chris Defreitas, Stephen Doheny, Jake Egan (red-ball only), Matthew Hollard, Gavin Hoey, Matthew Humphreys (captain), Josh Little (white-ball only), Liam McCarthy, Byron McDonough, Jai Moondra, Jordan Neill, Tim Tector, Reuben Wilson (red-ball only).

With two overseas tours scheduled before the World Cup Qualifier, Ireland will look to build consistency, assess emerging talent and improve their adaptability across different conditions. The matches in Namibia and Zimbabwe could prove crucial as the team seeks to return to the biggest stage in men's ODI cricket in 2027.