The contrast between Pakistan rise in Test cricket and struggles in the one-day game has been stark, for all the buoyancy surrounding their magnificent Test win at the Oval, Pakistan sits ninth in the ODI rankings seven points behind West Indies. If that does not change before September 30 next year, Pakistan will be forced into a cut-throat qualifying tournament, in which only two of the ten competing sides will progress to the 2019 World Cup.
Nine years after a World Cup shock Pakistan now switches into one-day mode with a two-match series against 12th ranked Ireland. In their most recent clash, Pakistan beat Ireland by seven wickets in the ICC World Cup 2015 game in Adelaide. The more famous clash between the sides came in the 2007 World Cup, when Ireland knocked out Pakistan at Sabina Park in Kingston, winning by three wickets. Given that its hopes of automatic qualification for the 2019 event depend heavily on the results in the next few weeks, Pakistan cannot afford a repeat of that.
Ireland on the other hand is also looking forward to upset Pakistan in an upcoming series, "It's time we not only put ourselves in positions to win games but actually win game," Irish captain William Porterfield said. "We need to be learning. If you look at the records of the team starting off in international cricket we've got one of the best," reported ESPNcricinfo.
The return of Niall O'Brien, who scored 72 at Sabina Park nine years ago, will definitely help Ireland.
Pakistan ODI captain Azhar Ali said that Ireland will be tough opponents in their own conditions, he told AFP, "Ireland are always a tough team, more so in their own conditions. If you look at their recent performances in World Cup matches they have done very well. But we have new players who are very confident".
The 31-year-old batsman added, "The performance of the Test team is an encouragement for the ODI team so we will carry that same momentum and passion. It was a big challenge for the Test team because a lot of people used to say that we are only good in our own conditions.But the Test team has done well (in England) and the ODI team will take their lead from that."
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