Ireland set for 16 Test matches between 2019 and 2023

Australia will visit Ireland in two years ahead of the next Ashes series against England

A general view from Malahide Cricket Ground where Ireland will take on Pakistan in their first ever Test match next year. Photo: Rowland White/Inpho

Ireland are in line to play 16 Test matches over five years under the new Future Tours Programmes, which is in the process of being finalised.

The next cycle, which runs from 2019 to 2023, sees Ireland and Afghanistan included as new Test-playing nations after the historic decision to grant them Test status was made last summer.

Ireland will play Pakistan in their Test debut at Malahide in May and the 2019 programme is set to see Australia visit here ahead of the Ashes in England.

According to cricket website cricinfo, who have seen the new proposed FTP schedule, Ireland will also play Sri Lanka in 2020, England in 2021 and host both New Zealand and South Africa in 2022.

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Ireland are set to play Afghanistan in five Tests, Zimbabwe in four and Bangladesh in two, with seven of the 16 at home and nine away.

The final programme will be finalised at the International Cricket Council’s annual conference next June.

Emmet Riordan

Emmet Riordan

Emmet Riordan is an Irish Times sports journalist