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Dublin:- The first day of Ireland’s long-awaited Test debut has been rained off.
The match against Pakistan in Malahide was due to start at 11:00 BST but no play was possible after persistent rain and strong winds throughout the day.
The umpires held a final pitch inspection at 15:00 BST when the decision was taken to call it off.
The weekend weather forecast is for brighter, drier conditions and play is scheduled to resume on Saturday at 11:00 BST.
Cricket Ireland say all of Friday’s ticket-holders will receive a full refund.
Pakistan are set to take on England in a two-Test series starting on 24 May.
Ireland’s inaugural Test comes more than a decade after their shock win over Pakistan at the 2007 World Cup.
Former England seamer Boyd Rankin has been included in the Ireland squad and is hoping to become the first man in 25 years to play Test cricket for two countries.
Veteran batsman Ed Joyce, who played 17 one-day internationals for England from 2006 to 2007, is also set to make his Test debut.
Ireland squad: William Porterfield (capt), Andrew Balbirnie, Ed Joyce, Tyrone Kane, Andrew McBrine, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien (wk), Boyd Rankin, James Shannon, Craig Young, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson (wk).
Pakistan squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt & wk), Azhar Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Sami Aslam, Haris Sohail, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Saad Ali, Asad Shafiq, Usman Salahuddin, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali, Rahat Ali, Faheem Ashraf.