Cricket: Ireland set for Test debut against Pakistan
Ireland are set to become the 11th nation to play Test Cricket when they host Pakistan at Dublin's Malahide ground on Friday. Ireland have been playing cricket for more than a century now but it took them so long to get the status of a Test playing nation. Ireland will become the first team since Bangladesh in 2000 to make their Test debut.
Ireland eye big upset on debut
Australia are the only side to have won their inaugural Test match when they beat England in the first match in Melbourne in 1877. The Irish will be hoping to emulate this record. They certainly don't want to be like New Zealanders who took 26 years and 45 Test matches to claim their first victory in the five-day format of the game.
Notably Irish women made their debut before the men
The Irish girls played their first and only Test match way back in 2000. This encounter too was against Pakistan and the Irish ladies wrapped up the match in two days to claim a massive victory.
Captain Porterfield will have to lead by example
33-year-old William Porterfield has been bestowed with the task of leading the Irish in white clothing. He is Ireland's most successful batsman with 11 ODI hundreds. He also boasts 9 first class tons and is Ireland's top scorer in both ODIs and T20Is. Ireland will be hoping their captain comes good against Pakistan.
