Ireland's quest to become the first team to win three ICC tournaments in a calendar year hit a stumbling block on the opening day of their Intercontinental Cup final against Afghanistan as they were bowled out for just 187 in Dubai.
On the face of it, Ireland and Afghanistan don't have too much in common. But for all the cultural, religious and economic diversities, their cricketing histories are remarkably comparable.
England skipper Alastair Cook and Indian counterpart Mahendra Singh Dhoni have been named captains of the International Cricket Council's Test and ODI Teams of the Year respectively.
Are Ireland the biggest of the small fries? Can Scotland return to the top of the table? Do the Dutch have the ability to go all the way? Ryan Bailey's preview has the answers.
Defending champions Ireland and high-flying Afghanistan are among 16 countries vying for six places at the 2014 World Twenty20 with qualification to be held in the United Arab Emirates next month, cricket's governing body announced Thursday.
Ryan Bailey chatted exclusively to former England batsman and current Ireland talisman Ed Joyce about the World Twenty20, a tight rivalry with Afghanistan - and more.
Just 21 overs were bowled on the second day of the Intercontinental Cup clash between Ireland and Scotland in Dublin, as the umpires were forced to call a premature halt to proceedings.
Ireland once again underlined their status as the dominant force in the associate nation game as four wickets from debutant Craig Young put Phil Simmons' weakened side in complete control of their final Intercontinental Cup match against Scotland in Clontarf.
If Ireland are to achieve their coveted goal of Test status in the near future then they must now underline their ability to dominate with the red ball on top of their limited-overs supremacy.
Ireland made light work of their second World Cricket League ODI against Scotland in Belfast on Sunday, winning by seven wickets thanks to Niall O'Brien's unbeaten half century.
Scotland came within one ball of keeping their World Cup automatic qualification hopes alive, but Ireland pulled a rabbit out of the hat to win by one wicket, with one ball to spare, in Belfast on Friday.
Scotland will get the opportunity to bounce back from their comprehensive and humiliating defeat to Australia when they face Ireland in their final set of ICC World Cricket League fixtures.
Skipper William Porterfield conceded the performances of seamer Boyd Rankin and Eoin Morgan proved the difference, after Ireland fell to a six-wicket defeat at the hands of England in Tuesday's one-off ODI in Dublin.
Unbeaten centuries from captain Eoin Morgan and all-rounder Ravi Bopara collectively usurped opener William Porterfield's authoritative ton, as England trumped Ireland by six wickets in Tuesday's one-off ODI in Malahide, Dublin.
Pakistan were saved embarrassment by Wahab Riaz and Kamran Akmal on Sunday as they scraped a narrow two-wicket win over Ireland in Dublin, needing to recover from 17 for four at one stage.
Pakistan's preparation ahead of the Champions Trophy will continue, while Ireland will chase glory akin to that cherished in 2007, when the teams meet for a couple of ODIs in Dublin this week.
In Peter May's final column for C365, he looks at five topics that has caught his eye in the past week, and gives us his patented musings and insights. We'll miss you, Mr May!
