Ireland aim for upset on Test debut against Pakistan

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Ireland aim for upset on Test debut against PakistanIreland will look to do what no side have done in 141 years
at the Malahide ground as firm favourites but Ireland captain William Porterfield hoped some classic local conditions would favour his
get a bit of sideways movement it is the main aspect we want to bring to the table."If we can have that in the game then I think it gives us
the best chance of winning and I think that is a realistic chance," he added.But such conditions could also favour a Pakistan attack set to
have faced him in county cricket and multi-day games and we played against them in white-ball cricket."But obviously, late swing is going to
be a factor for him and sideways movement with their handy seam attack so we are going to have to fight back with the bat as
well."Porterfield and some of his Ireland team-mates had the chance to pick the brains of former Marcus Trescothick during a warm-up match
cricket for 26 years, a great career so we asked if he would sit down with us and any chance you get to speak to someone with his experience
with it
But it was a good chat."Pakistan are set to give a Test debut to Imam-ul-Haq, the nephew of selection chief and former batsman
Inzamam-ul-Haq after he scored fifties in warm-up matches against Kent and Northamptonshire."It is a big honour for me and my team to play
this historic Test match -- the first Test match to be played in Ireland," said Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed.Ireland will be without
seamer Nathan Smith after he 22-year-old was ruled out with a side strain and replaced in the squad by Craig Young.Ireland's William
Porterfield and Pakistan's Sarfraz Ahmed pose with the trophy
one-off match starting Friday.Not since Australia beat England by 45 runs in Melbourne in 1877 in the first Test ever played has a team got
pre-match press conference on Thursday."Are we favourites No
Ireland's inaugural Test Match Winner."It is a bit stereotypical, but if we get a bit of sideways movement it is the main aspect we want to
bring to the table."If we can have that in the game then I think it gives us the best chance of winning and I think that is a realistic
bowler," said opening batsman Porterfield of the left-arm quick."A couple of guys have faced him in county cricket and multi-day games and
we played against them in white-ball cricket."But obviously, late swing is going to be a factor for him and sideways movement with their
handy seam attack so we are going to have to fight back with the bat as well."Porterfield and some of his Ireland team-mates had the chance
to pick the brains of former Marcus Trescothick during a warm-up match against Somerset and they will look to put the former England
sit down with us and any chance you get to speak to someone with his experience is great," Porterfield explained."He talked about the
relentless, which is what we expected."You still have to find your way of dealing with it
But it was a good chat."Pakistan are set to give a Test debut to Imam-ul-Haq, the nephew of selection chief and former batsman
Inzamam-ul-Haq after he scored fifties in warm-up matches against Kent and Northamptonshire."It is a big honour for me and my team to play
this historic Test match -- the first Test match to be played in Ireland," said Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed.Ireland will be without
seamer Nathan Smith after he 22-year-old was ruled out with a side strain and replaced in the squad by Craig Young.