Ireland Confirm Pakistan ODI Series In May

Ireland Confirm Pakistan ODI Series In May

Pakistan and Ireland have met three times before in ODI cricket and in this Twenty20 International at The Oval in 2009. Ireland have one win (in 2007), Pakistan three.

©REUTERS / Action Images

Ireland will host Pakistan for two One-Day Internationals in May as part of Pakistan's build-up to the ICC Champions Trophy in June.

Pakistan have already confirmed two ODIs in Scotland on 17th and 19th May and they will then travel to Ireland for matches on 23rd and 26th May.

They will be based in Ireland for a week and the venues for the matches are yet to be confirmed. Pakistan play their first match of the Champions Trophy on 7th June, when they take on the West Indies at The Oval.

bet365 make Pakistan 7/1 to win the Champions Trophy with South Africa the 4/1 favourites.

"It's fantastic news for Irish cricket, and we're grateful to both ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board for making the series possible," Ireland coach Phil Simmons said.

"The extra funding we've secured through TAPP ensures we're able to organise additonal matches against Full Members.

"Pakistan are a formidable one-day side  and it’s a great way of measuring where we are as a team. We’ve had some wonderful tussles with them in the  past, and for many, Irish cricket was born the day we beat them in the 2007 World Cup. That win grabbed the attention of the world and we haven’t looked back since.

"It's shaping up to be a busy summer for Irish cricket, with in addition to this game, a four-day clash with Australia A as they warm up for The Ashes, a proposed series against Bangladesh and of course the RSA Challenge against England at our new international ground in Malahide."

Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore added: "We are eagerly awaiting our matches against the Irish team. Irish cricket has been improving consistently and we will be looking forward to some competitive games ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy. The fixtures are a continuation of the PCB's support to all Associate Member nations, and we are delighted to be returning once again to Ireland."

The two sides have only met on three occasions in ODI cricket. Ireland's win in the 2007 World Cup is to date their only victory over Pakistan, who travelled to Ireland in 2011 where they won both ODIs despite Paul Stirling hitting a century in the second of those games.

© Cricket World 2013