Ireland v Pakistan: Day one of inaugural Test rained off

Malahide Cricket Club had been close to a sell out for the opening day

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 for much of 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.

• Read more: Raining on Ireland's Test parade

Cricket Ireland say all of Friday's 5,100 ticket-holders will receive a full refund.

It means that the governing body stand to lose 75,000 euros from Friday's washout, with chief executive Warren Deutrom having previously claimed the total cost of staging this inaugural Test would be "around 1million euros".

Shortly after the umpires made the call, the rain ceased and the skies cleared but Deutrom agreed with the decision not to attempt to start the Test late in the afternoon.

"If we can get some walk up with good weather (on Saturday), hopefully it will be a more appropriate environment to start our first ball in Test cricket," said the Cricket Ireland boss.

"Of course it's disappointing but what I don't want to do is go around with a massive long face, projecting misery because it isn't that. We're still hugely proud."

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.

The wicket at Malahide Cricket Club remains under covers