The Ireland cricket team begin their quest for Test Status later today, as they face the United Arab Emirates in their opening Intercontinental Cup match.

The tournament which lasts until December 2017, sees Ireland start as the competition as favourites having won four of the previous five editions of the Intercontinental Cup.

John Bracewell's side will have an added incentive to win the competition as the winners are given an opportunity to gain test status in 2018. The winners of the competition will face the lowest rank test nation in a four match series.

Today's game marks the beginning of the end of a quest by Cricket Ireland to be given an opportunity to join the highest echelons of the game.

Two of Ireland#s biggest rivals, Scotland and Afghanistan also begin their campaigns this morning against each other in Stirling.