The absence of Josh Little from the Test and ODI squads is the main talking point from the squads announced by Ireland for their multi-format series against Afghanistan that gets underway later this month.

The Pembroke left-armer's ommission makes Ireland's task of gaining their first Test win all the harder, especially given the torment they suffered last year in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Uncapped CSNI seamer Matthew Foster will hope to make an appearance, while others in line for a possible maiden Test appearance are experienced seamers Craig Young and Barry McCarthy, plus CIYMS left-arm spinner Theo van Woerkom.

Little also misses the ODI series, but is included in the T20I squad as they look to fine-tune their performances ahead of the World Cup in the USA/West Indies.

They are also taking part in a tri-series in The Netherlands with the hosts and Scotland from May 18-24, while Pakistan were scheduled to be in Ireland in early May but this has still to be announced by the Irish.

Ireland squads

Test squad: Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie (capt), Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Matt Foster, Graham Hume, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, PJ Moor, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Theo van Woerkom, Craig Young.

ODI squad: Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matt Foster, Graham Hume, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Paul Stirling (capt), Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Theo van Woerkom, Craig Young.

T20I squad: Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Paul Stirling (capt), Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.

Fixtures
28 February - 3 March: Test in Abu Dhabi (06:00 GMT)

7, 9 & 12 March: ODIs in Sharjah (11:30 GMT)

15, 17 & 18 March: T20Is in Sharjah (all 16:00 GMT)