New Delhi: Cricket Ireland, the apex body of Irish cricket has confirmed the maiden cricket tour for the national team against Pakistan. While entire minute details await final confirmation from the Irish authorities, the Irish team has officially confirmed that they will be travelling to Pakistan for the tour tentatively during August or September of 2025.
Babar Azam takes it up a gear 🔥https://t.co/k4LKHw79go #IREvPAK pic.twitter.com/I0NOn7Fuyx
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 14, 2024
Irish cricket grabbed headlines recently after the relatively newer full-member side defeated such an experienced ICC side in the first T20 of the three-match T20 series that is ongoing in Ireland ahead of the T20 World Cup. Although the Pakistani bounced back strongly in the second T20 eventually winning the third, the Irish have shown that they cannot be treated as mere pushovers in this T20 World Cup – scheduled to take place in 2024.
🇵🇰 fans, happy with the team's performances after the loss in the opening T20I against Ireland? https://t.co/RtYBEFMb34 #IREvPAK pic.twitter.com/6zUsTTICfh
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 15, 2024
Positive talks between Brian McNeice and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi
Amidst this scintillating T20I series between the two nations, the two sides have agreed on the international series which can turn out to be a watershed moment for Irish cricket if the Irish side manages to churn out convincing wins against Pakistan. The Irish chairperson is hopeful about the series and is positive about the conversation that is held by both parties.
“We are delighted to have welcomed Chairman Naqvi to Dublin and we had a very productive meeting. The presence of the PCB chairman in Ireland was very much appreciated and is a strong indicator of the excellent relationship between the two boards.”
The eagle stood tall today in Dublin 🦅
Pakistan need 179 to win the series 🎯 https://t.co/k4LKHw79go #IREvPAK pic.twitter.com/RdS1BuFUWF
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 14, 2024
MacNeice has further added that “Discussions were wide-ranging and included exploring men’s, women’s and Wolves-level fixtures in the future. I’m very pleased that we were able to agree on a men’s tour next year – this will be yet another historic first, coming after the tour to Pakistan by our senior women in 2022. The Pakistan squad have been excellent ambassadors for their country over the last week and have been very generous in their interactions with fans throughout their time in Ireland. We very much look forward to the deciding game in the series tomorrow and of course our meeting in the T20 World Cup next month”.
Pakistan clinch the series finale in Dublin
The ongoing series ended in a 2-1 win for Pakistan in Dublin after Pakistani skipper Babar Azam scored a resolute 75(42) to chase down 178 with a loss of 4 wickets. Shaheen Shah Afridi was the man of the match for his exemplary display of with the ball. Although the series ended with the Irish defeat, the cricketing ties between both nations can be seen as a win-win situation for both sides.
Pakistan seal series victory with a comprehensive win in the third T20I 👊#IREvPAK 📝: https://t.co/0yqayRuPwq pic.twitter.com/xwkl4dRIyN
— ICC (@ICC) May 14, 2024
Interestingly the cricketing ties between Ireland and Pakistan trace back to 1962 when the two sides faced each other for their maiden men’s and women’s test matches. Now, a series in Pakistan will be a stepping stone for both sides to cement their cricketing ties.
