Mulder handed first Ireland call-up

Dublin: Leg-spinner Jacob Mulder is a new face in the Ireland squad for the crucial ICC Intercontinental Cup clash against Afghanistan in India in March.

Mulder impressed in the Desert T20 earlier this month, where he was the competition's leading wicket-taker.

Table-toppers Ireland will be at full strength for the game with second-placed Afghanistan in Greater Noida.

Ed Joyce, Niall O'Brien, Tim Murtagh and John Anderson are named in the 14-man squad after missing the Desert T20.

"Young Jacob Mulder was the standout bowler in the T20 and the selectors felt he deserved his opportunity in the longer format.

Ireland will also play three T20s and five one-day internationals against Afghanistan, all in Greater Noida.

The Irish will prepare for the games with a 10-day training camp in the United Arab Emirates, where they will play the hosts in two ODIs on 2 and 4 March.

Pace bowler Boyd Rankin is being rested for the matches in the UAE, but will join the squad during the camp to prepare for the Afghanistan games.

Cricket Ireland also confirmed that top-order batsman Nick Larkin had ruled himself out of the running for a place in the Ireland ranks for the time being.

Ireland squad

ICC Intercontinental Cup v Afghanistan:
William Porterfield, John Anderson, George Dockrell, Ed Joyce, Jacob Mulder, Tim Murtagh, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Kevin O'Brien, Niall O'Brien, Boyd Rankin, Paul Stirling, Gary Wilson, Craig Young

ODI squad v UAE:
William Porterfield, Andrew Balbirnie, George Dockrell, Ed Joyce, Jacob Mulder, Tim Murtagh, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Kevin O'Brien, Niall O'Brien, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson, Craig Young.

ODI squad v Afghanistan:
William Porterfield, Andrew Balbirnie, George Dockrell, Ed Joyce, Jacob Mulder, Tim Murtagh, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Kevin O'Brien, Niall O'Brien, Boyd Rankin, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson, Craig Young.

T20 squad v Afghanistan:
William Porterfield, George Dockrell, Josh Little, Jacob Mulder, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Kevin O'Brien, Boyd Rankin, Paul Stirling, Greg Thompson, Stuart Thompson, Lorcan Tucker, Gary Wilson, Craig Young.

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs India - 4th T20I 2nd T20I - Australia v Pakistan - November 16, 08:00 GMT 4th T20I - West Indies v England - November 16, 20:00 GMT 3rd T20I - West Indies v England at St. Lucia England won by 3 wickets (with 4 balls remaining) 1st T20I - Australia v Pakistan at Brisbane Australia won by 29 runs

Rahmat ton seals win for Afghanistan [+]

Afghanistan clinch a 3-2 one-day series win over Ireland as Rahmat Shah scores century helps secure a seven-wicket victory at Greater Noida.

Kevin all-round show helps Ireland draw level [+]

Kevin defied a hamstring injury to steer Ireland to a three-wicket win over Afghanistan and square the five-match One-Day series at 2-2.

Stirling, Balbirnie keep series alive [+]

Ireland ended their losing run against Afghanistan with a six-wicket win in the third at Greater Noida on Sunday.

Stanikzai, Rashid put Afghanistan 2-0 ahead [+]

Stirling shines with 95 and 6/55 but Ireland goes down by 34 runs in high-scoring match.

Porterfield ton vain as Afghanistan beat Ireland [+]

A William Porterfield century was not enough to prevent Ireland losing the first of five one-day internationals against Afghanistan by 30 runs.

Nabi 21-ball fifty guides Afghanistan to sweep [+]

Ireland suffered a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of Afghanistan in the Twenty20 series between the sides after losing by 28 runs in India on Sunday.

Rashid 5-3 helps Afghanistan seal series [+]

Afghanistan beat Ireland by 17 runs (D/L) on Friday and secured a 2-0 lead in the three-game T20 series.

Shahzad guides Afghanistan to emphatic win [+]

Mohammad Shahzad slammed a brisk 47 helps Afghanistan beat Ireland by six wickets in first T20 at Greater Noida on Wednesday.

Mulder handed first Ireland call-up [+]

Leg-spinner Jacob Mulder is a new face in the Ireland squad for the Intercontinental Cup clash against Afghanistan in March.