Misbah-ul-Haq backs Ireland for Test status – Cricket News

 

Pakistan’s Test and ODI skipper Misbah-ul-Haq backed Ireland’s long-term ambition to become a Test playing nation urging International Cricket Council to consider the Associate side for top-flight status.

“That's purely on the ICC but they are a better team now so the ICC should think about that,” said Misbah while speaking to media reporters after a thrilling two-wicket win over Ireland, in Dublin on Sunday.

After the opening match of the two-ODI series between the two sides ended in a dramatic draw, the Irish players looked set to claim their first ever ODI series win over a full member side when Pakistan collapsed to 17 for 4, while chasing a 230-run Target to win. However, a breathtaking counter attack from wicketkeeper batsman Kamran Akmal and spearhead pacer Wahab Riaz denied the hosts an unprecedented series win, as the tourists sealed the match by just two wickets. The duo shared a 93-run stand for the eighth wicket, from just 62 balls to help Pakistan snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Akmal scored 81 runs off 85 balls, while Riaz, who took nine balls to get off the mark, returned unbeaten on a 35-ball 47.

Had Ireland managed to win the match, they would have become the first Associate side to win a series against a full-member nation. Impressed by Ireland’s fighting spirit in the two-match ODI series, Pakistan skipper Misbah said that they are a much improved side now and ICC should consider awarding them the Test status.

“If you look at their batting line-up that is good enough to do well anywhere,” said Misbah after the match. “They may struggle a little bit with their bowling line-up when they go out of Ireland but still they are a really mature side. We were really struggling,” he added further.

Cricket Ireland's ambitious chief Warren Deutrom, however, had earlier said that they have set a target of 2020 to gain the Test status.

“It is unrealistic in the short term but it is a realistic ambition,” Deutrom told Press Association Sport. “It is something that we have aimed for by 2020. We are trying to address all of the rationale to be a full-member country. We have a strategic plan about where we are trying to go,” he added further.

Ireland skipper William Poterfield shared that he and his players were pretty disappointed to lose after being in a commanding position for the major part of the match.