Ireland 'laser-focused' on World Cup qualification

Should Ireland meet Wilson's ambitions, it will be in spite of a lack of 50-over cricket. In the three years since the 2023 edition of the World Cup, they have scheduled just 15 ODIs with three of those lost to the weather.

The series against Afghanistan - which Cricket Ireland CEO Sarah Keane has said comes with "moral discomfort" given the treatment of women in the Asian country - will be Ireland's first in the format since a 1-1 draw with West Indies in May 2025.

"It is a challenge of course, but it is what it is," said Wilson.

"We know it's a barrier but there's not any point in talking about it, we can't change it. We have played other cricket within that period.

"Would I have wanted more? Of course, I'd have wanted loads, but that's not to be. We've got what we've got and we get on with it and attempt to beat Afghanistan in this series."

Ireland at least come in with recent white-ball form after June's historic T20 series win over India.

The 2-0 victory at Stormont, Ireland's first wins over the T20 world champions in any format, made global headlines but Wilson is keen to draw a line under the feat.

"More than anything those results probably made people stand up and think and it's something we can try and work off the back of as a wider organisation," he said.

"In terms of the team, we mustn't get carried away with two results. You wouldn't change them for the world, they were phenomenal, but they're in the past now. We must start again against Afghanistan."

Bowler Jai Moondra, the breakout star of the India series, will make his 50-over debut against Afghanistan, while Paul Stirling, who retains the ODI captaincy despite relinquishing the T20 role, seamer Mark Adair and all-rounder Curtis Campher all return to the panel.

Against a side who have travelled with the likes of Rashid Kahn and Ibrahim Zadran in their touring squad, Ireland will however be without Josh Little, Craig Young, Barry McCarthy, Matt Hollard and Jordan Neil through injury.