Pakistan are set to play a two-match one-day series against Ireland with Misbah-ul-Haq their fifth limited overs captain in three years. Misban was handed the captaincy last week following the sacking of Shahid Afridi, who, it was announced on Tuesday, is not travelling to Ireland.
"Afridi has informed us that his father has been admitted to hospital for liver treatment and he wants to be with him and would not be available for the two matches in Ireland," said Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman Nadeem Sarwar. The 31-year-old Afridi took over as Pakistan captain last year and guided the team to the World Cup semi-final where they lost to India - who went on to win the final - in March.
The weather could hardly be more different to that in the Caribbean the Pakistanis left barely 24 hours earlier before they arrived in Belfast here on Thursday amid cool, breezy conditions. Meanwhile, the Stormont ground, the venue for both matches, on Saturday and Monday, was too wet Thursday to allow Ireland to train.
If Pakistan can adapt to the drop in temperatures and not think too longingly of home after more than a month away, they should have enough all-round strength to see off the leading Associate nation. Since Ireland knocked Pakistan out of the 2007 World Cup, they have gone from strength to strength, defeating England at this year's edition.
Ireland coach Phil Simmons, the former West Indies all-rounder, is hoping for a similar surface to the one served up at Stormint for the ODIs against Bangladesh in July last year. That pitch didn't turn, the Tigers were tamed and Ireland drew the series 1-1.
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