DUBLIN: Ireland have cancelled a multi-format series against Afghanistan this year due to financial reasons, but the Afghan board is hopeful it will be played next year.

West Indies will play six limited-overs matches in Ireland in May-June before England arrive in September for a threematch Twenty20 series.

Ireland were then scheduled to host Afghanistan for one test, three one-day internationals and three T20s in August.

`One planned series that won`t go ahead for financial reasons is against Afghanistan,` Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom said after announcing the team`s summer schedule on Tuesday.

`This decision is part of our management of short-term budgetary constraints, as well as our requirement to comply with the Board`s mandate to deliver balanced investment across the organisation`s strategic objectives.

Cricket Ireland was interested in staging the series next year, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said on Wednesday.

`While we acknowledge their reasons, this would have been a valuable opportunity for players from both countries,` ACB chief executive Naseeb Khan said. `We are in discussions with Cricket Ireland to explore suitable options for rescheduling the series and will work collaboratively to find a mutually convenient window.`-Reuters