Ireland keen to talk to Pakistan regarding possible future tour

Ireland have opened talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board regarding a possible tour of the Asian nation in the near future.

Cricket Ireland’s chief executive Warren Deutrom revealed that contact was made with the PCB in January.

Cricket followers in Pakistan have been denied international fixtures on home soil since the Lahore terrorist attack in March 2009 when the Sri Lanka team bus was ambushed by gunmen outside the Gaddafi Stadium.

Eight people were killed in the attack while several players and officials were injured.

Ireland have previously stated their willingness to tour Pakistan but discussions were put on hold last June following a terrorist attack on Karachi airport.

And while Deutrom admitted such incidents would still be reviewed before any possible tour is sanctioned, he has confirmed his desire to continue talks when the World Cup ends on March 29.

Deutrom said in a statement: "We will keep this matter under review and consider a tour when conditions are right.

"I had a preliminary discussion with the Pakistan Cricket Board in January and then we had a follow-up email but the World Cup has taken over matters at the moment. I am sure discussions will recommence when we hear from the Pakistan Cricket Board."

And Ireland skipper William Porterfield said: "We need fixtures. We're crying out for that. We need that kind of support. As a player it is very frustrating. Nine games in four years is nothing really. We need to be playing more."

In the four years between the 2011 and current World Cups, Ireland have played just nine ODIs against full-member nations.

By comparison, Zimbabwe, ranked one place higher than Ireland by the ICC, contested 36 ODIs against fellow full-member nations.

Pakistan has been one of the few nations willing to play Ireland and have twice toured during the past four years.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan suggested earlier this week, on the sixth anniversary of the Lahore attacks, that further tours by the likes of Ireland might also prompt other full-member nations to return to their country to play cricket.

Shaharyar said: "We are trying our best to get top teams in. I have been told by some teams that if one or two make the trip then they too will follow suit.

"The way to open doors is that we bring small associate teams. If associate members come, God willing the doors will open slowly. People will know our stadiums and the accommodation are secure. The hope is that those top 10 teams will start coming."