Irish Cricket’s bid to qualify for the ICC World T20 Finals in India next March get underway between Stormont and Malahide on Friday with a new sponsor on board for the team that may yet lead to a longer term deal.
Shapoorji Pillonji are already the long term sponsors of the Cricket Ireland Academy and are celebrating 150 years in business this year. This new sponsorship of the senior team will be broadcast live in 200 countries around the world.
They came on board for the Academy in a ten year deal in September 2014 and given their global business reach and base in the most valuable cricket region in the world in India, there is the potential for the relationship to yet develop into exactly that with RSA which led to the strong foundations upon which the sport is now building here.
“Shapoorji Pallonj, a 150 year old group, is proud of its association with Cricket Ireland and supporting the cricket team in its endeavours at the World T20 Qualifier is just another step in cementing our relationship,” said Vasant Sanzgiri, Group Head, Human Resources with the company.
“We are delighted that Shapoorji Pallonji will be supporting our efforts at the ICC World T20 Qualifier that will take place here in Ireland and Scotland,” added Warren Deutrom, CEO of Cricket Ireland.
“Our relationship with the SP Group continues to go from strength to strength and their association with the Irish Cricket team for the World T20 Qualifier is a real boost for Cricket Ireland.”
“We share a great heritage and we hope to help celebrate their landmark year by qualifying for the main event in SP’s home country India next year.”
The ICC World T20 Qualifier will be co-hosted by Ireland and Scotland and will see 14 teams play 51 matches across eight venues, in what is the biggest cricket tournament to come to these shores. The teams will be playing to secure one of the six qualification spots on offer for the showpiece event next year where they will join the top teams in the world.
Ireland have a strong history in this tournament, finishing in the top spot in three of the four editions to date and qualifying for each ICC World T20 in the process.
Ireland’s group game schedule is as follows:
Group Games:
Namibia, Friday July 10, Stormont, 10:00
USA, Sunday July 12, Stormont, 10:00
Nepal, Monday July 13, Stormont, 14:15
PNG, Wednesday July 15, Stormont, 10:00
Hong Kong, Friday July 17, Malahide, 14:15
Jersey, Sunday July 19, Malahide, 10:00
Semi-Finals & Final:
Semi-Final 1 – Saturday, July 25, Malahide, 10:00
Semi-Final 2 – Saturday, July 26, Malahide, 14:15
Final – Sunday July 25, Malahide, 14:15
