Sarfraz leads Pakistan’s revenge on Ireland to reach final-8
ADELAIDE: Pakistan on Sunday exact revenge of the famous 2007 World Cup defeat against Ireland, beating them by 7 wickets and setting up a quarter-final clash at the same venue against...
March 15, 2015
Sarfraz Ahmed scored a brilliant century and helped Pakistan win the all-important match.
The Ireland-Pakistan match took place almost eight years to the day since the Irish knocked the Asian giants out of the 2007 World Cup.
That defeat for Pakistan in Jamaica was followed the day after by the death of coach Bob Woolmer.
Sarfraz Ahmed scored his maiden one-day international hundred and Pakistan's first of this World Cup as they finished on 241 for three, chasing 238 to win, with 23 balls to spare.
Pakistan had dismissed Ireland for just 237 despite a century from Irish captain William Porterfield, who won the toss.
The opener's 107 followed Ed Joyce´s 112 against Zimbabwe as the second Ireland hundred of this tournament.
Ireland, who had already beaten two Test nations at this tournament in the West Indies and Zimbabwe, found runs hard to come by with Pakistan's bowling at the 'death' especially impressive.
Porterfield apart, only Gary Wilson (29) got past 20 as left-arm paceman Wahab Riaz took three for 54.
Opener and wicket-keeper Sarfraz, who marked his tournament debut with 49 against South Africa, was again in fine form with the bat. His hundred, his first in 38 ODIs, came off 120 balls including six fours.
Safraz and Ahmed Shehzad (63) put on 120 for the first wicket.
Pakistan then had a jittery spell, losing two wickets for six runs to be 126 for two.
Shehzad holed out off seamer Stuart Thompson, having faced 71 balls including seven fours before Haris Sohail was run out after being sent back by Sarfraz.
END OF LIVE UPDATES
Umar Akmal hits the winning boundary, Pakistan beat Ireland
And that's all folks. Pakistan takes revenge on Ireland for the 2007 World Cup defeat, beating them by 7 wickets with no real difficulty. Pakistan are now in contention to lift the trophy.
Sarfraz scores brilliant century; Pakistan need 1 more to win
What an inning by the wicketkeeper batsman.
Pakistan inches away from victory; Sarfraz needs 5 for century
Pakistan are almost home with 11 more runs needed with 7 wickets and 44 balls remaining. Sarfraz is batting on 95*.
Misbah out; Pakistan 208/3 after 38.2 overs
Captain Misbah-ul-Haq is out hit-wicket on the bowling of Cusack after playing a sensible inning, making 39 runs. Pakistan now need 30 more runs with 7 wickets and 11.4 overs remaining.
200’s up; Pakistan on track to reach the target
Misbah (38) and Sarfraz (91) are batting sensibly in chasing down the 238 target set by Ireland. The partnership has gone past 80 runs with 6 runs average. Pakistan require another 31 runs with 8 wickets and 11.5 overs remaining
Misbah, Sarfraz steady innings; Pakistan 160/2 after 30.2
Post by Geo News English.
Mix-up in the middle, Haris run out for 3
Second Pakistani goes down in a quick succession as Haris Sohail run out after scoring just 3. It was his call to run but Sarfraz turned back after initially agreeing to take on the fielder. Pakistan are now 127/2 after 25 overs.
First wicket falls, Shehzad out after brilliant 50
Pakistan lose its first wicket as Ahmed Shehzad gets a top edge while trying to pull a Thompson delivery. He was caught at mid-on by Ed Joyce after a very well made 63.
Sarfraz also gets 50
Sarfraz Ahmed has also reached a land-mark, scoring a well-timed 50 following Ahmed Shehzad. Pakistan are now 111/0 after 20.4 and looking strong to achieve the target without too much difficulty.
100's up; all eyes on Sarfraz nearing fifty
Pakistan have reached 100 without loosing any wicket with Shehzad is not out at 51(56) and Sarfraz 46 off 55 balls.
Shehzad makes brisk 50 as Pakistan near 100 without any loss
Ahmed Shezad has completed a brilliant half century on merely 52 balls as Pakistan are 95 without the loss of any wicket. Sarfraz is not out on 41(49) on the other end.
Flurry of boundaries as Pakistan go past 50 in style
Both Pakistani openers are showing brilliance with the bat as the team goes past 50 in style. Pakistan are 65 for no loss after 10 with Shehzad not out at 36(33) and Sarfraz 27(29).
Slow and steady Pakistan reach 17
Openers survive first 5 overs; Pakistan 17/0 with Shehzad batting on 8 and Sarfraz on 7.
Shehzad, Sarfraz begin Pakistan chase
Pakistani openers Ahmed Shehzad and Sarfraz Ahmed have begin the innings, chasing down 238 runs target set by Ireland. Cusack is bowling the first over.
Dockrell goes as Ireland all out for 237
Dockrell ran himself our for 11 as Ireland collapses for 237, setting a target of 238 for Pakistan to qualify for quarter-finals.
Dangerous O'Brien out early too
Dangerous Irish batsman Kevin O'Brien goes out without wrecking too much havoc, caught Sohaib Maqsood bowled Wahab Riaz for 8. Ireland are 219/8 after 47.4 overs.
Thompson out; Rahat takes his 2nd wicket
Rahat Ali takes his second wicket of the match. SR Thompson caught Umar Akmal bowled Rahat for 12. Ireland are 205/7 after 44.2 overs.
Wilson goes too; Ireland lose 6th wicket
Sohail Khan strikes again, taking the wicket of set batsman GC Wilson for 29. Ireland are now struggling at 190/6 after 41 overs.
Sohail strikes; dangerous Irish skipper gone
Pacer Sohail Khan takes his first wicket and that of the ton-up Irish captain, Portherfield, who perishes after scoring a brilliant century. He made 107(137). Ireland are now 187/5 after 39.3 overs.
Porterfield scores century; steadies Irish batting
What a time to get in top form, Ireland skipper Porterfield scores his first century of the tournament. Batting on 101* off 124 with 10 fours and a six. Ireland are 173/4 after 37.1 overs.
Great move by Misbah; Haris gets Balbirnie
Introduction of part-time spinner Haris Sohail works well for Pakistani skipper Misbah as he takes the wicket of Andy Balbirnie, who top-edged one while trying to sweep, caught at short-fine leg by Shahid Afridi. Ireland are 137/4 after 30.3 overs.
Porterfield batting responsibly; Ireland reach 100
Ireland captain William Porterfield is steering the ship well and is not out at 67 off 82 with 8 fours and a six. Ireland are 106/3 after 23 overs.
Niall O'Brien goes cheaply
Rahat Ali opens his account as O'Brien hands an easy catch to Umar Akmal at covers. Ireland are now at 88/3 after 17 overs.
Porterfield scores half century
Skipper Porterfield is leading from the front as he reaches 53 off just 60 balls. Ireland are 85/2 after 16 overs.
Joyce out; Wahab strikes for Pakistan
Ed Joyce couldn't capitalise after escaping an lbw scare as he skied a delivery from Wahab Riaz and caught at short-square by Umar Akmal. Ireland 56 for 2 after 12.4 overs.
Joyce escapes lbw scare
An lbw decision was referred to the third-umpire, who upholds the original decision. Ed Joyce survives, he is batting on 11(17) and captain Porterfiled on 35 (46) as Ireland are now 53 for 1 after 12 overs.
Adil strikes early
Pacer Ehsan Adil, who is making his World Cup debut today, takes the first wicket for Pakistan as PR Stirling is adjudicated LBW for 3. Ireland are now 35 for the loss of 1 wicket after 8 overs.
