Ireland Willing to Tour Pakistan

According to Warren Deutrom, Cricket Ireland’s chief executive, Ireland are open to touring Pakistan. Both the sides will take part in the historic Test match in Dublin on Friday (May 11), as the hosts look to start off their Test journey at the international level.

The Pakistan Cricket Board will be more than happy to welcome the newbies of Test cricket but their schedule for the year ahead looks packed and therefore it will be a challenge to come up with a window.

“We’ve seen West Indies’ recent tour which went well. We’ve also seen that some PSL matches were held in Lahore and Karachi and went off well. Before taking any decision we will definitely discuss the situation with ICC security and take input from Pakistan itself, but I can see that in the near future, a tour to Pakistan is possible,” Deutrom told Pakistan’s Daily Express.

PCB chairman Najam Sethi will be present during the Test match in Dublin. But he has already ruled out a possibility of a return series.

“There is no such item for discussion on my Dublin trip agenda. The fact is that Pakistan has no slot available outside our FTP for the next twelve months,” he told ESPNcricinfo.

Pakistan’s calendar looks packed

Pakistan will participate in the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates and will later host Australia and New Zealand before conducting the much-anticipated Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The Sarfraz-led side will also travel to the Rainbow Nation and compete against South Africa.

Cricket Ireland were set to confirm a tour to Pakistan about three years ago but a terror attack at the Karachi airport didn’t let the plan go ahead.

Since last year, Pakistan have hosted a World XI side, Windies, and Sri Lanka in the limited-overs contest. Board has also requested New Zealand to play one of their Twenty20 International games in Pakistan.

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