Sri Lanka, Ireland Women set to visit Pakistan

Pakistan is set to stage the ICC Women's Championship fixtures at home for the first time. They will be seen playing Sri Lanka in the three One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals in May-June. These games will be part of the preparation ahead for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the Asian Games in China.


Bismah Maroof-led side will participate in eight competitions from May 2022 to February 2023, including the ICC Women's Championship commitments, ICC Women's T20 World Cup, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and ACC Women's T20 Asia Cup. 


Meanwhile, Ireland will make the first-ever tour to Pakistan as part of the ICC Women's Championship to play six three ODIs and as many as T20I. Moreover, this series will be the first tour to Pakistan by any senior Ireland cricket team, men or women. 


"We couldn't have asked for a better start to 2022, following the announcement of full-time contracts. We have a busy summer ahead and are greatly looking forward to the prospect of playing Pakistan in an away series," Ireland captain Laura Delany said. 


She added, "As a squad we haven't travelled to Pakistan before, but now having qualified for the ICC Women's Championship, we have been presented with this opportunity, one that no doubt will be a good challenge towards the end of the year. 


"Having not played in Asian conditions for a few years now due to COVID-19, with a young squad, this will be an invaluable opportunity as we are set to play more regularly in this part of the world over coming years."


This historic tour will begin on November 6 and run till November 18. Interestingly, as revealed by Richard Holdsworth, Cricket Ireland's High-Performance Director, this year will mark the 25th year since the two women sides first met on the field. 


He added, "We are delighted to confirm this historical tour to Pakistan and appreciate the support of the Pakistan Cricket Board in arranging the tour."

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