Ireland name the team for the historic Test match against Pakistan

Ahead of their historic Test match against Pakistan, Cricket Ireland announced their 14-member squad for the same. The lone Test match is scheduled to start on the 11th of May at Dublin. The visiting team Pakistan is currently placed at the seventh position in the ICC rankings for Test teams but are a much better team than that.

In June last year, the International Cricket Council (ICC) induced two latest full-members in Afghanistan and Ireland. While Ireland play Pakistan from the next week, Afghanistan will make their Test debut against the No.1 ranked India in the month of June.

William Porterfield to lead Ireland in their maiden Test match

William Porterfield is all set to lead the Ireland side in their first ever Test match. The squad also comprises of brothers Neil O’Brien and Kevin O’Brien. Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce and Andrew Balbirnie are among the other batsmen who have been included in the team.

However, the selectors have not shown enough faith in spinner George Dockrell. He was also left out in the last few clashes during the World Cup Qualifiers. Pacer Boyd Rankin is the only player in the squad to have played a Test match. He represented England in the final game of the Ashes 2013 Down Under.

Here is the Ireland squad for the Test match against Pakistan:

William Porterfield (capt), 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.

Ireland will be hoping to surprise Pakistan who are not at their best in those conditions.

Recently, Afghanistan pipped the Irish team to qualify for the World Cup 2018 Qualifiers. Hence, the team will not be a part of the World Cup 2019 to be played in England, the team will now be desperate to make a mark in the longest format and earn back the respect.

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