Pakistan’s history boys heading to Emerald Isle

Maiden Test looms in May

IRELAND’S first Test match will be played on home soil as they get ready to host Pakistan in May next year.

The two sides reached an agreement during an ICC meeting in Auckland, though the exact date and venue for the clash has yet to be confirmed.

Both Ireland and Afghanistan were given Test status in June when they became the 11th and 12th Full Members of the ICC, and Cricket Ireland has since been looking for the right opponents for a historic first match. And it will be Pakistan who will be the first to face the Emerald Isle with the visitors having been top of the Test rankings as recently as last year.

Ireland captain Will Porterfield said: “It’s fantastic news for Irish cricket. It’s going to be a bit special and it’s always great to be a part of history.

“There’s a special affinity between ourselves and Pakistan going back to the 2007 World Cup and they’ve been regular tourists here over the past decade.

“Test cricket is the pinnacle of our sport and I know how much this game will mean to not only the players, but all involved with Irish cricket. It will be another step on what has been an incredible journey for our sport in a relatively short passage of time.”

Pakistan’s trip to Ireland will come before their two-Test tour of England, which begins at Lord’s on May 24.

Ireland Cricket CEO Warren Deutrom added: “It has been our wish to make our Test debut in front of our own fans within 12 months of becoming a Test nation, and against a big team, so I’m delighted.

“There is a lot of work to do from now to ensure that it will be an occasion to remember but we, and I’m sure our players and fans, can’t wait to rise to it.”