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Plucky Ireland take on buoyant Pakistan in a winner-takes-all World Cup clash at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday that promises an enthralling encounter between two highly combustible teams. The last league match in the month-long group stage will steer the winner into the quarter-finals and leave the loser facing a tricky run-rate countback against the West Indies. A likely win for the West Indies over the United Arab Emirates earlier on Sunday will bring them level with Pakistan and Ireland on six points to set up a keen finish for the knock-out rounds. [caption id=“attachment_2093531” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]
Misbah ul-Haq. Getty[/caption] Defending champions India and South Africa have already taken two of the four quarter-final spots from Pool B, while co-hosts Australia and New Zealand have already qualified from Pool A along with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It’s been eight years almost to the day when Ireland celebrated St Patrick’s Day on March 17 in 2007 by knocking out Pakistan from the World Cup with a three-wicket win at Kingston’s Sabina Park in Jamaica. A day later Pakistan’s disappointment turned into grief when their English coach Bob Woolmer was found dead in the bathroom of his hotel room, causing disbelief in the entire cricket world. A long investigation proved inconclusive as police overturned their initial assessment of murder or suicide to declare that Woolmer, 58, died of natural causes. Since then, the two sides have played four one-day matches, all hosted by Ireland, with Pakistan winning three and the fourth game ending in a tie. Pakistan and Ireland have endured a bumpy ride at this World Cup, but now find themselves at par going into their must-win match with three wins each from five games. “It will be the biggest game in Ireland’s cricket history,” seasoned batsman Niall O’Brien declared in the Dublin-based Independent newspaper. “We still have it in our own hands and know that several teams would love to be in the position we find ourselves in. Pakistan will be an extremely difficult test but it’s still up to us.” Pakistan lost their opening two matches against old foes India and the West Indies, but bounced back to win the next three to prove once again they are one of the most unpredictable sides in world cricket. Victories against Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates were followed by a stunning success over mighty South Africa in Auckland where they bowled the Proteas out for 202 after making 222. Ireland began by chasing down the West Indies’ 304 for seven in a rousing batting display and also beat UAE and Zimbabwe, but were no match for Test nations India and South Africa. The Irish batsmen have outscored the inconsistent Pakistanis so far, which should make them feel comfortable on what is expected to be a run-laden pitch, despite the rivals’ potent bowling attack. Pakistan’s batsmen have crossed 250 just once in the tournament when they hammered 339 for six against the inexperienced UAE at Napier. In contrast, Ireland have surpassed 300 twice against the West Indies and Zimbabwe, thrashed UAE for 279-8, scored 259 against India and managed 210 versus the South Africans. Pakistan’s batting coach Grant Flower said his team can’t afford to slip up any more. “I do expect the batsmen to deliver,” the former Zimbabwean star said. “That is what they are there for. They can bat a lot better than they have. “I would like to believe our best is yet to come. If we don’t, I don’t think we will go much further in the tournament.” AFP
World Cup, Pakistan vs Ireland as it happened: Sarfraz scores ton as Pakistan beat Ireland
Plucky Ireland take on buoyant Pakistan in a winner-takes-all World Cup clash at the Adelaide Oval
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Sarfraz got his ton off 120 balls but by the end it was a farce. He was stuck in the 90’s and the match dragged on for almost 30-40 minutes as he struggled to reach his ton. But the manner in which Umar Akmal batted is precisely the kind of situation that will attract the ACSU’s attention. They hit shots to mid-on and did not run for a single, defended full tosses from spinners… so much so that Misbah in the dug out seemed to be getting pretty frustrated by what was happening in the middle.
Any which way, this was Pakistan’s fourth consecutive win and they are looking good. The bowling was good and so was the fielding. Even Umar Akmal took a few catches.
For Ireland, it is the end of another World Cup journey. Will we see them in 2019? Will the ICC change plans? The Irish will come to rue the match again South Africa — they never quite recovered from the hit their NRR took in that game.
WICKET! IRE 216-8.
147 km/h bouncer did the trick. Kevin was dropped earlier in the deeper but this went straight up and was safely taken. Ireland’s big-hitter never got going today.
KJ O’Brien c Sohaib Maqsood b Wahab Riaz 8 (16)
WICKET: Ireland 204/7 (43.5/50)
Another top-edge, another easy catch for Akmal. Thompson walking back as Ireland continue their late collapse. Ireland have gone from 4-182 to 7-204 and that has robbed them of vital momentum. Pakistan’s bowlers are getting some reverse swing as well and that is a factor as well.
Thompson c Umar Akmal b Rahat Ali 12 (15)
After 42 overs, Ireland 193-6 (O’Brien 0, Thompson 3)
Pakistan are in charge now. Ireland are surprisingly playing some pretty meek cricket. Either which way, they need to keep playing shots from at least one end.
WICKET! Ireland 189/6 (40.3/50)
Short ball is upper cut to third man. Ireland lose Gary Wilson, who had survived thanks to a review earlier in the over, That also means they have two new men at the crease now — both batsmen are yet to score.
Wilson c Wahab Riaz b Sohail Khan 29 (38) Sohail Khan 6.3-0-26-2
WICKET: Ireland 182/5 (38.5/50)
He was itching to get after the bowling. But got a top edge that looped just wide of mid-on, where Afridi took a good running catch. Sohail rewarded for bowling good line and length. But in comes Kevin O’Brien, the man who could swing it Ireland’s way — he will need to.
Porterfield c Shahid Afridi b Sohail Khan 107 (131)
After 36 overs, Ireland 162-4 (Portfield 96, Wilson 14)
Porterfield continuing to make his way towards his deserved ton but they need to be careful here. Ireland can’t afford to slow down too much. They will need at least 250 to put pressure on Pakistan.
After 34 overs, Ireland 154-4 (Portfield 93, Wilson 10)
It has been a superb knock by Porterfield and it looks like he has resolved to bat through the innings. They still have Kevin O’Brien in the dug out and we all know that if he gets stuck in, Pakistan could end up chasing leather all over the park.