Ireland considering tour of Pakistan
Ireland hopes to cure their chronic lack of games against full-member nations
PHOTO: ICC
Cricket Ireland Chief Executive Warren Deutrom revealed that he contacted Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in January about reviving hopes of touring Pakistan, RTE reported.
Ireland hopes to cure their chronic lack of games against full-member nations which could bring them to Pakistan after confirmation that talks pertaining to their visit to Pakistan have re-opened.
Since the terrorist attack in March 2009, when the Sri Lanka team bus was ambushed by gunmen outside the Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan has not hosted a full international fixture.
Read: Ireland down: South Africa show title credentials with yet another thumping
In the past, Ireland have expressed their willingness to tour Pakistan however, discussions were put on hold last June following a terrorist attack on Karachi airport.
Read: Karachi airport attack case: ATC issues arrest warrants for TTP chief, 7 others
Although Deutrom admitted that such incidents would be reviewed and looked into prior to any tour, while reasserting his desire to continue talks about a tour after the World Cup.
"We will keep this matter under review and consider a tour when conditions are right," Deutrom said in a statement.
"I had a preliminary discussion with the Pakistan Cricket Board in January and then we had a follow-up email, but the World Cup has taken over matters at the moment. I am sure discussions will recommence when we hear from the Pakistan Cricket Board," he added.
Deutrom's announcement came after captain William Porterfield spoke out on the subject, stating that Ireland needed to play more matches against full-member nations.
In the four years prior to this World Cup - where Ireland have already upset West Indies to give them hope of a quarter-final place - they have played just nine ODIs against full-member nations.
Zimbabwe on the other hand, ranked one place higher than Ireland and played 36 ODIs against fellow full-member nations.
Porterfield believes the scenario is holding back a nation that, under Deutrom, has been proactive in nearly all departments but for the key exercise of playing international matches.
"We need fixtures. We're crying out for that," Porterfield said before the World Cup, adding that "we need that kind of support. As a player it is very frustrating."
"Nine games in four years is nothing really. We need to be playing more," he added further.
In January, the International Cricket Council (ICC) gave Ireland the chance to qualify for the 2019 World Cup directly for the first time, if they raised their ranking into the top eight.
Under the system, Ireland and Afghanistan will no longer play in the World Cricket League Championship - the 50-over tournament for associate and affiliate nations - and instead go up against the other 10 full-member nations.
In order to qualify, Ireland need to play enough games to lift their ranking and it remains to be seen if nations ranked just above Ireland would be willing to risk their status by playing matches against them, let alone in Dublin or Belfast.
Pakistan have been one of the few nations willing to play Ireland - they have twice toured in the past four years - to help fill their own need for matches.
Hopes have been raised that full international cricket might return to Pakistan soon after both Afghanistan and Kenya sent their associate teams, in 2013 and 2014 respectively, without incident.
Earlier this week, PCB chairman Shahryar Khan suggested that further tours, such as one by Ireland, might also prompt other full-member nations to return.
In quotes published on PCB's webiste, Shaharyar told reporters, "We are trying our best to get top teams in - top 10 teams. I have been told by some teams that if one or two make the trip then they too will follow suit."
"The way to open doors is that we bring small associate teams. If associate members come, God willing the doors will open slowly. People will know our stadiums and the accommodation are secure. The hope is that those (top 10) teams will start coming," he added.
Ireland hopes to cure their chronic lack of games against full-member nations which could bring them to Pakistan after confirmation that talks pertaining to their visit to Pakistan have re-opened.
Since the terrorist attack in March 2009, when the Sri Lanka team bus was ambushed by gunmen outside the Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan has not hosted a full international fixture.
Read: Ireland down: South Africa show title credentials with yet another thumping
In the past, Ireland have expressed their willingness to tour Pakistan however, discussions were put on hold last June following a terrorist attack on Karachi airport.
Read: Karachi airport attack case: ATC issues arrest warrants for TTP chief, 7 others
Although Deutrom admitted that such incidents would be reviewed and looked into prior to any tour, while reasserting his desire to continue talks about a tour after the World Cup.
"We will keep this matter under review and consider a tour when conditions are right," Deutrom said in a statement.
"I had a preliminary discussion with the Pakistan Cricket Board in January and then we had a follow-up email, but the World Cup has taken over matters at the moment. I am sure discussions will recommence when we hear from the Pakistan Cricket Board," he added.
Deutrom's announcement came after captain William Porterfield spoke out on the subject, stating that Ireland needed to play more matches against full-member nations.
In the four years prior to this World Cup - where Ireland have already upset West Indies to give them hope of a quarter-final place - they have played just nine ODIs against full-member nations.
Zimbabwe on the other hand, ranked one place higher than Ireland and played 36 ODIs against fellow full-member nations.
Porterfield believes the scenario is holding back a nation that, under Deutrom, has been proactive in nearly all departments but for the key exercise of playing international matches.
"We need fixtures. We're crying out for that," Porterfield said before the World Cup, adding that "we need that kind of support. As a player it is very frustrating."
"Nine games in four years is nothing really. We need to be playing more," he added further.
In January, the International Cricket Council (ICC) gave Ireland the chance to qualify for the 2019 World Cup directly for the first time, if they raised their ranking into the top eight.
Under the system, Ireland and Afghanistan will no longer play in the World Cricket League Championship - the 50-over tournament for associate and affiliate nations - and instead go up against the other 10 full-member nations.
In order to qualify, Ireland need to play enough games to lift their ranking and it remains to be seen if nations ranked just above Ireland would be willing to risk their status by playing matches against them, let alone in Dublin or Belfast.
Pakistan have been one of the few nations willing to play Ireland - they have twice toured in the past four years - to help fill their own need for matches.
Hopes have been raised that full international cricket might return to Pakistan soon after both Afghanistan and Kenya sent their associate teams, in 2013 and 2014 respectively, without incident.
Earlier this week, PCB chairman Shahryar Khan suggested that further tours, such as one by Ireland, might also prompt other full-member nations to return.
In quotes published on PCB's webiste, Shaharyar told reporters, "We are trying our best to get top teams in - top 10 teams. I have been told by some teams that if one or two make the trip then they too will follow suit."
"The way to open doors is that we bring small associate teams. If associate members come, God willing the doors will open slowly. People will know our stadiums and the accommodation are secure. The hope is that those (top 10) teams will start coming," he added.