Cricket Ireland (CI) on Friday (May 4) announced the 14-man squad for the One-off Test match against Sarfraz Ahmed-led Pakistan. The 33-year-old opening batsman and senior campaigner William Porterfield will lead the side.
In such a contrast, it is not long ago when Ireland got its Test status and subsequently has been approved by the world cricket body International Cricket Council (ICC) as Full Members. Now, they are all set to play their first-ever Test match against Pakistan to register a history.
The iconic Test is scheduled to be beginning from May 11 in Dublin.
Ireland along with Afghanistan got their Test status on 23rd June, 2017. Afghanistan will play their own opening Test against India in Bengaluru on 14th June under the leadership of Asghar Stanikzai.
Ireland first gained One-day International status in 2005 after finishing runners-up in the ICC Trophy tournament, which they hosted, to gain their first World Cup berth.
Two years later, Ireland registered a shocking upset against Pakistan on St Patrick’s Day in Jamaica. Well, they’ve never looked back. The side went on to qualify for two subsequent World Cups in which they defeated England and Windies – to further press for their stronger case in the international cricket.
And, this competitiveness from William Porterfield-led side went on to earn them the Test status in the end.
Ireland squad: William Porterfield (c), Andrew Balbirnie, Ed Joyce, Tyrone Kane, Andy McBrine, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien, Boyd Rankin, Nathan Smith, Paul Stirling, James Shannon, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson
Following the Test fixture in Ireland, Pakistan will wrestle in the two-Test series against England in the United Kingdom (UK).
The first Test will be kicking off at iconic Lord’s on May 24. Whereas, the second Test will be beginning on June 1-5 at Headingley.
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