Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that the Pakistan team will play a three-match T20I series against Ireland in May. All three matches will be played in Castle Avenue, Dublin. This is the first time Pakistan will be playing any bilateral series against Ireland since 2018. Earlier, Pakistan were scheduled to play two T20Is in Dublin in July 2020, which got postponed indefinitely because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pakistan to tour Ireland for three T20Is
Pakistan will play this series ahead of their England tour, they will be meeting Ireland for the first match on May 10 and the third and final match will played on May 14.
This series makes a total of 12 matches for Pakistan ahead of the T20 World Cup in June. Pakistan are scheduled to play five T20Is starting on April 18 against New Zealand on their home soil. Following the home series, they will tour England for a four-match T20I series commencing May 22.
The last time, Pakistan played the T20I series was in January, New Zealand hosted them for five matches and won the series by 4-1.
Pakistan were also scheduled to play three T20Is against the Netherlands but the series was postponed at the request of PCB. PCB had mentioned scheduling clashes and workload management of players ahead of the marquee tournament. The PCB had said they would look for another window for this series.
In the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies, arch-rivals India and Pakistan are kept in the same group and are set to meet for the epic clash on June 9 in New York.
PCB’s hunt for the head coach
PCB is on the hunt for a new head coach for the national team. Recently, PCB offered this position to former South African batter Gary Kirsten and former Kiwi wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi. However, the PCB is yet to receive a response.
Meanwhile, PCB has faced rejections from Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson, reputed coach Mike Hesson, and Former West Indies captain Daren Sammy. However, reports have emerged that Australian bowling legend Jason Gillespie might take this role as he has terminated his contracts as head coach of West End Redbacks and Adelaide Strikers with the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA). His contract was till 2024-25 season. There are rumours that PCB might have contacted him for the head coach role.
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