Ireland cricket team, who recently became a Test play nation, will be seen making tits Test debut against Pakistan at home in May 2018. Cricket Ireland confirmed the news after an agreement between both boards during the ICC meetings in Auckland this week.

Afghanistan and Ireland became the 11th and 12th Full Members of the ICC after they were given Test status in June 2017. During the announcement, Cricket Ireland’s CEO, Warren Deutrom, “We are excited to welcome Pakistan to Ireland for our inaugural Test match next year. It has been our wish to make our Test debut in front of our own fans within 12 months of becoming a Test nation, and against a big team, so I’m delighted.”

He further elaborated, “There is a lot of work to do from now to ensure that it will be an occasion to remember but we, and I’m sure our players and fans, can’t wait to rise to it. We would like to thank the Pakistan Cricket Board most sincerely for agreeing to be our first opponent in Test cricket.”

The announcement made Irish skipper William Porterfield delightful, who recalled Ireland’s ODI victory against Pakistan in the 2007 World Cup. Till date, that’s Ireland’s only victory against Pakistan across formats, however, these sides were involved in a thrilling tie in an ODI in Dublin in 2013.

Expressing his joy of Test debut, Porterfield said, “It’s fantastic news for Irish cricket. It’s going to be a bit special and it’s always great to be a part of history. There’s a special affinity between ourselves and Pakistan going back to the 2007 World Cup and they’ve been regular tourists here over the past decade.”

The precise dates and the venue for Ireland’s Test debut is yet to be announced.