Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
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| Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO |
HISTORY! The 11th Test team will take the field tomorrow, and I can’t wait.
In a week where Australia thinks Bangladesh isn’t important enough, it’s nice to see a smaller cricketing nation get the attention they deserve. It’s also nice to see Test cricket back, amid all the IPL 2018 action, and what a beautiful occasion it promises to be.
It’s been a long 18 years, but we finally have an 11th Test team, and it’s very well deserved for the Irish. The weather forecast across the five days doesn’t look too promising, which is a shame, but it’s an occasion to be celebrated nonetheless.
It is fair to say Ireland deserved Test status five or six years ago, when many of their players were at their peak. They have always been punching above their weight over the years, and they have what it takes to give Pakistan a difficult time, weather permitting. Their squad boasts 1,125 games of first class experience, so if Pakistan walk onto the field expecting to roll over the Irish easily, they have another thing coming.
Pakistan usually play their cricket in the heat of the UAE, so cricket in Europe in May will be a big test, especially for their batsmen. They would have been pleased with their batting effort against Northamptonshire, after being rolled for 168 against Kent, but will be tested by an honest Ireland attack in bowling friendly conditions. With conditions the way they are in Dublin, also expect Pakistan’s bowling line up to extract plenty of movement, and give the Irish batsman a tough examination on their Test debut.
Pakistan are favourites, but this match has the makings of a competitive one.
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| Skipper William Porterfield has credited past Ireland players for reaching this stage. |
Key to an Ireland win
If Ireland get sufficient runs on the board, it will open up the game for their bowlers, who are bound to challenge Pakistan’s batting, the weaker part of their game.
Key to a Pakistan win
After claiming the no.1 spot in the rankings after drawing 2-2 in England in 2016, Pakistan have since dropped all the way to 7th, including a disappointing 2-0 home loss to Sri Lanka in their last Test assignment in October last year. Their attempt to climb the rankings begins in Dublin, and their bowling holds the key.
Mohammad Amir bowled 42 overs over the two tour matches, managing just the solitary wicket, including none in 27 overs against Northamptonshire. The other seamers, including Mohammad Abbas, Rahat Ali and Hasan Ali had a more successful time across the two matches, but Amir remains a huge threat to Ireland, and will hoping catches will be taken off his bowling.
In addition, the form of Shadab Khan, taking 10 wickets against Northamptonshire, and Asad Shafiq (186*) and Haris Sohail (two 50s across two games) will be encouraging. One player who an eye will be kept on is Azhar Ali, who had a lean build up to this Test, but he is one who can anchor the Pakistan innings against what will be an honest Irish attack. Like Ireland, the key for Pakistan is to get runs on the board, and give their bowlers great freedom to express themselves.
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| Asad Shafiq – key player for Pakistan |
Predicted teams
Stats and Facts:
- If Ireland win, they will become just the second nation to win their first Test, after Australia beat England in the first ever Test in 1877.
- Pakistan have won just two of their past 11 Test matches, and were bowled out for 168 v Kent last week.
- If Boyd Rankin plays, Ireland won’t have 11 debutants. He played a Test for England vs Australia in 2014.
- Pakistan know about being on the end of an Ireland upset. They lost to them at the 2007 ODI World Cup.
- Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail and Babar Azam combined for 323 runs against Northamptonshire.
