Cricket Ireland (CI) has confirmed that the upcoming two T20Is against India will be played at Stormont in Belfast on June 26 and 28, following a review of security in the city.The confirmation comes after civil unrest was reported in Belfast earlier this month. In response, Cricket Ireland worked closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and other relevant authorities to assess any threats to the game. “The safety and well-being of everyone involved in this series is of the utmost importance. We continue to work closely with the PSNI, local authorities and security partners, and we are confident that the appropriate measures are in place to ensure the safe and successful conduct of all these events,” CI said.According to the current assessment, there is no real threat to the game, the participating teams, the match officials, the spectators or the venue. Cricket Ireland has also said it has received information that no protests or demonstrations are expected to disrupt the game.“Accordingly, all the Ireland v India T20 International matches at Stormont on 26 and 28 June will go ahead as scheduled,” CI said.The governing body added that it will remain in constant touch with all the relevant agencies for conducting the list.“We will continue to work closely with all the organizations involved and monitor the situation leading up to the match. Supporters attending the match are encouraged to follow Cricket Ireland’s official procedures in all circumstances and to allow extra travel time if 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 played limited cricket in Dublin in recent years, this marks their return to Belfast after nearly two decades. Their previous visit to Stormont came in 2007, when they played three ODIs against South Africa and one against Ireland.India’s recent tours of Ireland were all set in Dublin, where they played and won six T20Is across their tour in 2018, 2022 and 2023.This year’s series will also see India play T20 Internationals in Belfast for the first time. The main focus ahead of the tour is on young all-rounder Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who lit up the final in Dambulla with a stunning 94 and scored the fastest fifty in List A cricket. Had he featured in every match, it would have been his highest mark for India.The 15-year-old’s development has already made him one of the highlights of the tour, with broadcasters heavily promoting Ireland’s series and India’s England fixtures around the youngster.Stormont has a population of around 4,200, a relatively small number given India’s powerful international constitution. The Indian team is scheduled to travel to Belfast via London on June 23, with players and supporters coming from various places, including Mumbai and Chennai.
