Cricket Ireland (CI) has confirmed that the upcoming two-match T20I series against India will be played as scheduled at Stormont in Belfast on June 26 and 28, following an extensive review of the security situation in the city.The confirmation comes after civil unrest was reported in Belfast earlier this month. In response, Cricket Ireland has worked closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and other relevant authorities to assess any potential risks surrounding the matches. “The safety and well-being of everyone involved in the series remains our highest priority. We continue to work closely with the PSNI, venue management and security partners, and are satisfied that appropriate measures are in place to ensure the safe and successful running of both matches,” CI said.According to the current assessment, there is no particular danger to the matches, participating teams, match officials, spectators or the venue. Cricket Ireland also said it had received intelligence indicating that no protests or demonstrations were expected to disrupt any matches.“Accordingly, both the Ireland vs India T20 International matches at Stormont on June 26 and 28 will go ahead as scheduled,” CI said.The governing body added that it will remain in constant contact with all relevant agencies during the preparation of the series.“We will continue to work closely with all relevant agencies and monitor developments in the lead-up to the matches. Fans attending the matches are encouraged to follow Cricket Ireland’s official channels for all event updates and to allow extra travel time where necessary. We look forward to welcoming fans from Ireland, India and around the world to Belfast for what promises to be an unforgettable celebration of international cricket.”“Although India have regularly played limited-overs cricket in Dublin in recent years, this will mark their return to Belfast after almost two decades. Their previous visit to Stormont was in 2007, when they played in three ODIs against South Africa and one against Ireland.India’s recent tours of Ireland have all been to Dublin, where they played and won six T20Is during the 2018, 2022 and 2023 visits.This year’s series will also see India play T20 Internationals in Belfast for the first time. Much of the attention ahead of the tour has focused on teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who shone in the tri-series final in Dambulla with a stunning 94 to register the fastest fifty in List A cricket. If he does feature in either match, it will mark his senior debut for India.The 15-year-old’s rising profile has already made him one of the biggest attractions on the tour, with broadcasters heavily promoting both the Irish series and the Indies that followed in England around the youngster.Stormont has a seating capacity of around 4,200, a modest figure considering India has a strong following around the world. The Indian team is scheduled to travel to Belfast via London on June 23, with players and support staff arriving from various locations, including Mumbai and Chennai.
