This is brilliant news for Irish cricket
Pakistan and Sri Lanka will each play two one-day internationals against Ireland next summer, Cricket Ireland have announced.
The fixtures against two of the top sides in world cricket are a huge boost for the Irish team, who desperately need to face Test-level opposition on a more regular basis if they are to continue to press their claims as a serious player in the game and further make a mockery of the ICC's decision to cull the number of non-Test playing nations at the 2019 World Cup.
Following the disappointing rainout of May's match against England at Malahide, the timing of the games in also significant, with Sri Lanka arriving in June 2016 for a pair of ODI matches and Pakistan for a two-match series in August.
Irish skipper Will Porterfield said: “It’s fantastic news and exactly the type of fixtures we’ve been crying out for,” said Ireland captain William Porterfield.
“Pakistan have been regular visitors to Ireland in recent years, and we’ve enjoyed some great tussles against them. Sri Lanka have also been in Dublin recently and we look forward to playing them again.
“We want to be playing regularly against top sides and these fixtures are a very welcome first step."
Ireland face Australia in Belfast this week and Porterfield emphasised the importance of such games in the team's development.
"These fixture announcements have given everyone a real lift ahead of the clash," he said. "The players relish these opportunities to take on the top sides, but we will only continue to improve if they become a regular feature.”
