Ireland and Afghanistan
22 June 2017
The ICC granted Full Membership and Test status to Ireland and Afghanistan in 2017, but the lack of guaranteed fixtures and the challenges of sustaining Test cricket raised questions about whether the expansion was genuine or merely symbolic.
ICC vs Associate Cricket
2017-06-22
The ICC's 2017 decision to grant Test status to Ireland and Afghanistan — bringing the number of Test-playing nations to twelve — was celebrated as expansion of cricket's reach but questioned by those who argued both nations lacked the infrastructure, depth, and competitive quality for the longest format.
Ireland vs Pakistan
2007-03-17
Ireland chased 266 to beat Pakistan in the 2007 World Cup — the most significant upset in World Cup history, causing Pakistan's elimination and the subsequent resignation and tragic death of coach Bob Woolmer.