IRELAND WILL PLAY Pakistan on home soil in their first Test match.
The exact date and venue for the five-day Test are yet to be confirmed, but an agreement was reached between the two sides during the International Cricket Council meeting in Auckland this week.
Ireland were given full Test status in June after a vote in London, and they became the 11th full member nation of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Cricket Ireland has since been looking for the right opponents for an historic first match.
“We are excited to welcome Pakistan to Ireland for our inaugural Test match next year,” CEO Warren Deutrom said.
“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.”
Pakistan were top of the Test match rankings as recently as last year, but have slipped back after the retirement of captain Misbah-ul-Haq and senior batsman Younis Khan.
The opponents for @Irelandcricket's historic 1st Test have been confirmed as @TheRealPCB https://t.co/6Jx8Llztsd pic.twitter.com/3tzX9uDCY2
— Cricket Ireland (@Irelandcricket) October 12, 2017
Irish captain William Porterfield added: “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’ll be another step on what has been an incredible journey for our sport in a relatively short passage of time.
“It’s sure to be an incredible and emotional experience for all involved. I know how much this will mean to all the players and just how much we all will forward to our dream of being Test cricketers realised. I’m certain there will be an incredible atmosphere from both sets of fans who will be keen to witness a piece of history.”
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