GT vs CSK: Josh Little kicks Pakistan commitment aside to feature in IPL 2024 as Ireland announce squad

Cricket Ireland unveiled the 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and Caribbean on Tuesday, May 7. Apart from the 2024 T20 World Cup squad, Cricket Ireland also announced the T20I squads for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan and the Tri-Series with the Netherlands and Scotland.

Ireland's pace sensation, Josh Little, will miss the upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan as well as the T20I tri-series against the Netherlands and Scotland in the lead-up to the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, starting on June 1.

Little is currently plying his trade for the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the ongoing IPL 2024, and that’s why he will be missing Ireland’s upcoming T20I fixtures. However, Irish fans can breathe a sigh of relief as Little is part of the T20 World Cup squad, and he will be in action for Ireland in the mega event.

Heinrich Malan says Ireland is ready for the hectic schedule

Meanwhile, Ireland’s head coach, Heinrich Malan, shed light on the demanding T20I schedule awaiting the team. With seven matches scheduled within a mere 15 days leading up to the T20 World Cup 2024, Malan stressed the importance of preparation and adaptability for the team.

Heinrich Malan said in an official statement: “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. We will not be treating those seven games as warmups, though, we’ll be aiming to win as many of those games as possible.

We are now entering the final stretch before the T20 World Cup begins, it will be a challenging couple of weeks, but we’re ready to tackle whatever is thrown at us. 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.”

Ireland Squad for Pakistan T20I Series:

Paul Stirling (C), 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 T20I Tri-Series:

Paul Stirling (C), 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’s T20 World Cup 2024 Squad:

Paul Stirling (C), 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.

Here are Ireland’s upcoming Fixtures:

For Pakistan T20I Series

10 May: Ireland vs Pakistan; First T20I, Clontarf

12 May: Ireland vs Pakistan; Second T20I, Clontarf

14 May: Ireland vs Pakistan; Third T20I, Clontarf                                                    

For T20I Tri-Series in Netherlands:

19 May: Ireland vs Netherlands T20I; Voorburg

20 May: Ireland vs Scotland T20I; Voorburg

23 May: Ireland vs Scotland T20I; Voorburg

24 May: Ireland vs Netherlands T20I; Voorburg

For T20 World Cup 2024:

31 May: Ireland vs Sri Lanka; Warm-up Match; Florida)

5 June: Ireland vs India; New York

7 June: Ireland vs Canada; New York

14 June: Ireland vs USA; Florida

16 June: Ireland vs Pakistan; Florda