The Pakistan men’s cricket team is commencing its European tour with the first of three T20Is against Ireland set to kick off today.
The subsequent two matches are also scheduled at Castle Avenue on Sunday and Tuesday, followed by a series of four T20Is against England at Headingley, Leeds, starting Wednesday.
After the England series, both teams will head to the T20I World Cup 2024. Pakistan will initiate their campaign against the United States in Dallas on June 6.
This marks the first T20I series hosted by Ireland against Pakistan, with their previous encounter being in the T20I World Cup 2009, where Pakistan emerged victorious.
Interestingly, both teams are in the same group for the T20I World Cup 2024 and will meet each other in Florida on June 16.
Pakistan’s head coach, Azhar Mahmood, expressed confidence in their preparations, stating that the series against Ireland will provide valuable insights into their opponents’ strategies.
However, fast bowler Mohammad Amir will miss the first T20I due to visa delays but is expected to join the squad on Friday.
The squads for both teams have been announced, with Pakistan led by Babar Azam and Ireland by Paul Stirling.
Squads
Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir (unavailable for first T20I), Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Usman Khan.
Ireland
Paul Stirling (captain), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young
