The Ireland men’s team and supporters will get to witness one of the most beautiful cricket grounds on the planet next March after the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala was selected to host their three games in the first-round stage of the World Twenty 20.
Located in Himachal Pradesh in the far north of India, the 23,000-capacity stadium is situated at over 1,300 metres above sea level against a stunning backdrop of the Dauladhar hill range.
Ireland will open their Group A campaign against Oman on Wednesday March 9th before taking on Bangladesh on Friday March 13th. Their final group game comes on Sunday March 13th against the Netherlands as they seek revenge for going out to the Dutch at the same stage in 2014.
Just the two group winners go through to the Super 10 stage of the competition. If Ireland make it through they will go into Group 2 with hosts India, Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand, with their games taking place in Kolkata and Bengaluru.
The Ireland women’s team will put in the air miles in Group B alongside New Zealand, Sri Lanka, South Africa and defending champions Australia.
They will also be based in northern India for their first two games, taking on New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Mohali in Chandigarh on March 18th and 20th.
They them face a 1,500 mile trip to India’s east coast to take on South Africa in Chennai on March 23rd and another 1,350 mile trip back up to the Indian capital New Delhi for their final Group B game against Australia .
WORLD TWENTY20 FIRST ROUND FIXTURES
MEN – FIRST ROUND (GROUP A - winner qualifies)
Wednesday March 9th: v Oman, Dharamsala Friday March 11th: v Bangladesh, Dharamsala
Sunday March 13th: v Netherlands , Dharamsala
If Ireland qualify from Group A they would play in Super 10 Group 2
Wednesday March 16th: v Pakistan, Kolkata
Monday March 21st: v Australia, Bengaluru
Wednesday March 23rd: v India,Bengaluru;
Saturday March 26th: v New Zealand , Kolkata.
WOMEN - GROUP B
Friday March 18th: v New Zealand, Mohali
Sunday March 20th: v Sri Lanka, Mohali
Wednesday March 23rd: v South Africa, Chennai
Saturday March 26th: v Australia, New Delhi.
