1st Test: Pakistan v West Indies at Dubai

Ireland's domestic four-day competition, the Hanley Energy Inter-Provincial Championship, has been awarded first-class status - and the country's T20 and 50-over competitions have been elevated to List A - following the ICC board meeting in Cape Town this week.

Ireland, who earlier this year launched an ambitious five-year plan aimed at ridding the game of its elitist perceptions and putting it on a par with football, rugby and GAA among Irish sports fans, now have a competition that John Bracewell, the national coach, believes can help to drive the sport to the next level.

"First-class cricket is the vital link between part-time cricket and the full commitment of the international game," said Bracewell.

"It is connected to your value in world cricket, historically. This to me is key for Irish-based players willing to make the sacrifices necessary to reach the standards required to compete at the pinnacle of our sport.

"Over the last two seasons watching domestic cricket in Ireland I have seen consistent performances from top quality cricketers who deserve to have these recognised. The standard of play is not only highly competitive but also first class in its output."

Azhar's triple-century cements Pakistan's dominance

Less than two weeks ago, some Pakistan supporters celebrated when Azhar Ali was dismissed in a one-day international in Sharjah. How times change.

A change of form and a switch in format later, and the undemonstrative 31-year-old batsman has become the toast of the nation.

Instead of jeers, Azhar was given a standing ovation as he became the fourth Pakistani to register a triple century – and the first from anywhere to make one in a Test in the UAE.

His 302 not out, from Pakistan’s first innings total of 579 for three at the Dubai International Stadium, was a great feat of stamina as much as it was skill. Fittingly, he celebrated the second century of his three with some press-ups. Such is the way for Pakistan.

Despite their excellence with the bat, Pakistan still have to go some to force a win in this first Test, on a pitch that seems nightmarish for bowlers.

When Test cricket first found its permanent home in the UAE, back in 2010, the groundsmen struggled to find the right balance for the format.

Having been tasked with satisfying a diet of exclusively limited-overs cricket until that point, this was suddenly a new challenge. Making a pitch last for more than 100 overs, while still providing a fair battle between bat and ball, was problematic.