Afridi out of Ireland C&G opener

Afridi has had to return home because his daughter is ill

Shahid Afridi has been ruled out of Ireland's opening C&G Trophy game against Hampshire in Dublin on Sunday.

The Pakistan star has had to return home because his daughter is ill although he does plan to play in seven other C&G matches for Ireland.

Despite Afridi's absence, Ireland all-rounder Kyle McCallan is upbeat ahead of the Clontarf clash.

"We just have to focus on our job and if we play to our ability we have every chance of winning," said McCallan.

"Hampshire have been widely tipped as one of the favourites for the county championship," McCallan told BBC Sport.

"But Surrey came here two years ago with the reputation of a team full of stars and we won that game.

He added: "Damp conditions in Loughborough hit our preparations but we will look to hit the ground running on Sunday morning."

The remaining 11 of the originally selected 12 will play for Ireland on Sunday and Alex Cusack of Clontarf will be Ireland's 12th man for tomorrow's game.

Test stars Shane Warne and Kevin Pietersen are missing from the Hampshire side.

Ireland have flourished in recent years under coach Adrian Birrell and McCallan is determined to further enhance their reputation in the C&G Trophy.

"We have come a long way in the last four years and it is up to us to continue that trend in this competition and the World Cup," said the Waringstown player.

"This is the competition where we are aiming to show ourselves off, announce ourselves to the doubters in English cricket and show how far Irish cricket has progressed.