A L i
06-15-2009, 11:17 PM
Requiring a win to move into the semi-finals, Pakistan accomplished just that with an efficient performance, easing past Ireland by 39 runs at The Oval. The margin was also sufficient to lift their net run-rate (http://www.cricinfo.com/wt202009/engine/series/335113.html?view=pointstable) to 1.19, ensuring there's no way both New Zealand and Sri Lanka can finish with as many points and a higher rate.
Pakistan's last World Cup game (http://www.cricinfo.com/wc2007/engine/current/match/247465.html) against Ireland had ended in grief, but here they seemed aware of the threat posed by their feisty opponents: after winning the toss Pakistan played within themselves but yet managed 159, thanks largely to a well-paced 57 by Kamran Akmal (http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/41028.html). Ireland's batting is clearly their weaker suit, and considering their highest in the tournament so far is only 138, a target of 160 was always likely to be a tough ask. And so it proved, as they finished on 120.
http://www.cricinfo.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/104900/104918.jpg
Pakistan's last World Cup game (http://www.cricinfo.com/wc2007/engine/current/match/247465.html) against Ireland had ended in grief, but here they seemed aware of the threat posed by their feisty opponents: after winning the toss Pakistan played within themselves but yet managed 159, thanks largely to a well-paced 57 by Kamran Akmal (http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/41028.html). Ireland's batting is clearly their weaker suit, and considering their highest in the tournament so far is only 138, a target of 160 was always likely to be a tough ask. And so it proved, as they finished on 120.
http://www.cricinfo.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/104900/104918.jpg