Ireland coach John Bracewell also revealed that paceman Tim Murtagh, who had retired from Twenty20 cricket in May 2015, has overturned his decision and has been included in the squad to play three T20s against PNG in Townsville and three more in the UAE.
Rankin's experience could be vital to that cause as well. He had played nine limited-overs matches and made a one-off Test appearance for England in Sydney, in addition to 82 international games for Ireland.
Squad for Intercontinental Cup match against PNG: William Porterfield (captain), Andrew Balbirnie, George Dockrell, Ed Joyce, Tim Murtagh, Andrew McBrine, Kevin O'Brien, Niall O'Brien (wk), Stuart Poynter, Boyd Rankin, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson (wk), Craig Young
Squad for T20s against PNG and UAE tour: William Porterfield (captain), Andrew Balbirnie, George Dockrell, Tim Murtagh, Andrew McBrine, Kevin O'Brien, Niall O'Brien (wk), Andrew Poynter, Stuart Poynter, Boyd Rankin, Max Sorensen, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson (wk), Craig Young
Tour fixtures
January 31-Feb 3 Intercontinental Cup v Papua New Guinea (Townsville)
Feb 6 T20 v PNG (Townsville)
Feb 7 T20 v PNG (Townsville)
Feb 9 T20 v PNG (Townsville)
Feb 13 T20 v TBC (Abu Dhabi)
Feb 15 T20I v TBC (Abu Dhabi)
Feb 16 T20I v TBC (Abu Dhabi)