Ireland name strong squad for C&G Trophy

The Pakistani internationals, Shahid Afridi and Saqlain Mushtaq, will make their debuts for Ireland in Dublin at the end of the month, after being named in a 12-man squad for the C&G Trophy match against Hampshire at Clontarf on April 23.

David Langford-Smith from the Phoenix club in Dublin also features in the squad, and is in line to win his first cap, following his impressive bowling display in the non-capped friendly match against Loughborough UCCE on Saturday.

Also included is Dominick Joyce, the brother of the Middlesex batsman, Ed, and Eion Morgan, who starred in the recent Under-19 World Cup. Clontarf's Trent Johnston will captain the side.

Hampshire are the current holders of the title. They are expected to include Shane Warne and Kevin Pietersen in their ranks, for a match that will be televised live on Sky Sports.

Ireland's selectors have also named a 14-man squad for the EurAsia Series challenge in Abu Dhabi, which runs from April 22 until May 5. The tournament features the A teams of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Holland and Ireland, with the full UAE side completing the line-up.

The Ireland A team contains seven players who have played for the senior side, including the former captain, Jason Molins. Paul Mooney was ruled out of contention due to injury, while Ralph Coetzee and Greg Thompson weren't available. The side will be led by 21-year-old William Porterfield.

C&G Trophy squad Trent Johnston (Clontarf, capt), Shahid Afridi (Pakistan), Andre Botha (North County), Jeremy Bray (Eglinton), Peter Gillespie (Strabane), Dominick Joyce (Merrion), David Langford-Smith (Phoenix), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Kyle McCallan (Waringstown), Adrian McCoubrey (Saffron Walden), Saqlain Mushtaq (Pakistan), Andrew White (Northamptonshire).

EurAsia Series squad William Porterfield (Rush, capt), Conor Armstrong (North County), Trevor Britton (Bready), Kenneth Carroll (Railway Union), Martinus Fourie (Phoenix), Mark Hutchinson (Bangor), Gary Kidd (Waringstown), Jason Molins (Phoenix), John Mooney (North County), Kevin O'Brien (Railway Union and MCC Young Cricketers), Boyd Rankin (Bready and Derbyshire), David Simpson (Lisburn), Roger Whelan (Railway Union).