PORTERFIELD TIPS HAT TO ALL THOSE WHO SERVED

WILLIAM PORTERFIELD has thanked those that have paved the way for him and his Ireland colleagues to make Test history today. Ireland will become the 11th nation to play the longest format — and the first since Bangladesh’s own initial contest in 2000 — when they face Pakistan at Malahide Cricket Club in their inaugural five-day match. ‘There has been a lot of banging the drum,’ Ireland captain Porterfield said. ‘It’s going to be a pretty special occasion for the 11 that are lucky enough to take [to] the park. ‘We’ve mentioned it amongst the squad, it would be pretty remiss if we didn’t talk about everything that’s gone before us. Not only over the last five, 10 years, but every cricketer that’s ever played for Ireland, the administrators — there’s been a lot of people that have devoted a lot of their lives to Irish cricket to make this day happen. ‘It just culminates in us being lucky enough to be the ones at Duel: William Porterfield and Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed that time in our careers to be able to take to the pitch to play that first Test match. ‘Everyone that’s ever worn the jersey and done things behind the scenes and devoted their lives to it deserve a lot of credit for what’s going to happen.’ Ireland have joined the sport’s top table at a time when there are ongoing fears over Test cricket’s standing in the game’s hierarchy. However, the hope is that taking a seat alongside cricket’s leading nations, and the financial benefits such a position brings, will help develop the sport in the country. ‘Last June, the decision in terms of becoming a full member, Test cricket obviously comes along with that, but the biggest thing is probably getting the full membership,’ Porterfield added. ‘This week is all about Test cricket but doors and the financial aspect hopefully open up with being a full member. ‘It allows us to completely grow the game within Ireland, allows it to become more sustainable.’ Pakistan will hand a debut to opener Imam-ul-Haq, the nephew of Inzamam-ul-Haq, who amassed nearly 9,000 Test runs in his career.