Sadly, our performance in the recent tests suggests NO.
Its not our ability that is short of quality. Its the unfluence of ODIs and T20 that is really hurting us. Our batsman seems to play shot as if its a 50 over match or so, the reason for their downfall. Most of our batsman got out due to poor shot selection and sadly.
However, if our domestic structure improves, and we play far more FC matches than usual, we can only get better. And those who are saying that Ireland and Afghanistan deserve test status more than us should go back to lala-land. On the basis of what are Ireland and Afghanistan better than us? Its true that Ireland at present is better than us when we were handed over test status, but as of now we ARE BETTER than Ireland. If there needs to be any criteria for judging the two sides, it should be the ODI(and perhaps the T20) format in which we are definitely better. Afterall we beat NZ, WI at home, went to AC finals, drew a series 1-1 against SL though went on to lose 2-1 against Zimbabwe.
Preferrably, I would want Ireland to play test cricket so that we can actually find a team we can actually beat regularly. Add to that, playing Ireland in Ireland will give us price-less experience, experience that will prepare us for taking on other teams in similar conditions. As for Afghanistan being better than us, its a big NO. Afghan batsman neither have the ability, nor the mentality to bat for 4-5 sessions.