Ireland's cricket team is gearing up with confidence for the upcoming ODI World Cup qualifier in Pakistan. Under the leadership of captain Gaby Lewis, the team is set to compete in a six-team tournament from April 9 to April 18. The tournament will feature matches against Pakistan, West Indies, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Scotland in a round-robin format, with the top two teams advancing to the World Cup in September.

Lewis expressed her team's readiness and optimism, highlighting the rigorous preparation they have undergone, including a training camp in Dubai. "We're feeling very confident going into this qualifier. We've had some great preparation leading up to it with a good training camp in Dubai, and we've been working really hard to acclimatise to the heat," she said. She emphasized the importance of enjoying the game and playing aggressively, believing that results will follow naturally.

Ireland has not qualified for an ODI World Cup since 2005, making this qualifier a crucial opportunity for the team. They are bolstered by the return of Amy Hunter and Jane Maguire from injuries and the inclusion of Kia McCartney, who has received her first call-up. The team's all-rounder, Laura Delany, has been in excellent form, scoring back-to-back half-centuries in the warm-up games against West Indies and Thailand.

Lewis believes Delany will be pivotal to Ireland's success in the qualifier. "She has done brilliantly in the first two warm-up games. She's also been great for us over the last 12 months - so looking forward to seeing her with bat and ball in this qualifier tournament," she added.

As Ireland prepares to face Pakistan in their opening match, the team is focused on securing a top-two finish to qualify for the World Cup in India, marking a significant milestone in their cricketing journey.