Pakistan knock out Ireland to reach Cricket World Cup quarter-finals
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Version 0 of 1. Ireland were knocked out of the World Cup as Pakistan cruised to a seven-wicket win at Adelaide Oval. Sarfraz Ahmed’s unbeaten 101 condemned Ireland to an early exit, despite an impressive showing in pool B, where they won three games. They go out after West Indies’ win over the United Arab Emirates gave them a better net run rate. Pakistan will face Australia on Friday, with the West Indies to play the co-hosts, New Zealand the following day. After an agonising wait in the 90s, during which Akmal blocked out deliveries in order to increase his team-mate’s chance of reaching 100, Sarfraz hit a boundary off George Dockrell to register Pakistan’s first century at this World Cup. Despite William Porterfield’s maiden World Cup century, Ireland could only make 237 as they were bowled out in 50 overs and that total failed to trouble the Pakistan batsmen, with Sarfraz and Ahmed Shehzad leading the way with an opening partnership of 120 before Umar Akmal hit the winning runs in the 47th over. After winning the toss, Ireland made an uncertain start to the innings, with Porterfield’s partner, Paul Stirling, falling leg-before for only three. Ed Joyce and Niall O’Brien each fell cheaply – 11 and 12 respectively – as the Irish captain calmly batted on at his own pace. Andrew Balbirnie, who enjoyed a good tournament, shared a partnership of 48 for the fourth wicket but could not get going and fell to the part-time bowling of Haris Sohail, which left Ireland on 136 for four after 30 overs. Porterfield recorded Ireland’s second century of the tournament with 10 fours and a six from 124 balls, and looked well-placed to help his side to a daunting first-innings total – in what was effectively a play-off for a quarter-final place. The left-handed opener was finally dismissed by the impressive Sohail Khan for 107 in the batting powerplay and his wicket derailed the innings when the acceleration was due. Gary Wilson hung around for 29 but again the lower order failed to offer any support to him or Kevin O’Brien as Wahab Riaz steamed in to clean up the tail and finish with figures of three for 54 from his 10 overs. The new-look opening combination of Sarfraz and Shehzad oozed class as they cruised to a century partnership in the 19th over. Sarfraz proved to be an effective foil, rotating the strike with ease, while Shehzad was the more aggressive of the two before he played one shot too many and top-edged a pull to give Stuart Thompson the breakthrough. Sarfraz misjudged a run shortly after to leave Sohail stranded and run out for only three to give Ireland hope but Misbah-ul-Haq calmed things down with a typically measured 39. He trod on his own stumps with 30 needed but Akmal accompanied Sarfraz to his maiden one-day international century to take Pakistan through to the next round. |