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Ireland announce Namibia, Zimbabwe tour squads as they prepare for World Cup Qualifier

Ireland has finalized their tour squads for upcoming series against Namibia and Zimbabwe A, marking a critical step in their push for qualification in the 2027 ODI World Cup. The main squad, led by Paul Stirling, will face Namibia in five ODIs starting October 22 in Windhoek, with the series serving as a preparatory phase ahead of next year’s World Cup Qualifier in South Africa and Namibia.

Ireland’s reserve team, the Wolves, will also travel to Zimbabwe for two four-day matches and five ODIs between November 6 and 16. The tour includes a notable return for left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys, who last played an ODI in February 2025, while the core squad remains largely unchanged from their recent series against Afghanistan, which Ireland lost 4-0.

High-performance director Graeme West emphasized the tour’s role in helping players adapt to conditions and potential opponents, with both squads featuring Ireland’s top current and emerging talent.

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