Ireland all-round George Dockrell says the three-match home series against Pakistan over the next week will be ideal preparation for their T20 World Cup challenge which begins in New York against India on 5 June.
Irish conditions may not be quite the same as in the Big Apple or Florida where Ireland’s four opening World Cup group games will be played.
But the Dublin weather looks set to behave at least for Friday’s opener although showers are forecast for the contests on Sunday and Tuesday.
“It’s some great cricket to kick off our summer and especially playing at home is fantastic,” said Dockrell, 31, who broke into the Ireland set-up as a spinner in 2010 but has also since developed into a highly effective middle-order batter.
Following the three Pakistan contests at Clontarf, the Irish will be involved in a further four-game T20 tournament in the Netherlands against the hosts and Scotland before they travel to USA.
“We’ve got a fantastic schedule building into the World Cup and really looking forward to the next month and a bit.”
The Pakistan games will offer both sides the opportunity to size each other up for their concluding World Cup group game in Florida on 16 June, with the Irish having faced Canada and USA following the opening India contest.