Sat, 28 May 2011 - Ireland vs Pakistan, Pakistan Tour of Ireland 2011, 1st ODI - Bulletin

Junaid, Ajmal script Pakistan victory

Pakistan rounded off the revised target of 95 (Duckworth/Lewis method) without much stutters to win the first ODI of two-match series against Ireland by seven wickets. Chasing a small target, Pakistan openers took their time as both Mohammad Hafeez and Taufeeq Umar looked in no hurry during their 73 run stand in 23 overs. There was a flurry of wickets in the end but it counted for nothing as Pakistan reached the target in 28th over to back the superb performance of their bowlers.

Hafeez proved to be the batsman of the game hitting 84-ball 52 including seven fours to the fence and a solitary six of the innings as he scored only half century of the match. Taufeeq scored a patient 23 off 62 balls before he and Hafeez went in a quick succession to A Cusack. Cusack bettered his figures by removing Asad Shafiq as he had the returns of 3 for 13 in five overs.

Young fast bowler Junaid Khan registered his best ODI figures to help his side to bundle out Ireland for paltry 96 inside 20 overs in what was reduced to 36 over a side game due to various delays and interruptions by the rain at Stormont stadium. Playing his sixth ODI, the left arm pacer had impressive readings of 4 for 12 in five overs ripping the heart out of the top order by getting some bounce and seam movement that was too hot to handle for Irish batsmen. His good work was followed by off spinner Saeed Ajmal who mopped up the tail by removing three wickets for seven runs in his three over spell.

After asked to have a first use of the pitch, Ireland had a poor start to the proceedings when Tanveer Ahmad found an edge off Ed Joyce’s angled bat to be nestled by wicketkeeper Salman Ahmad in the second over of the innings. His dismissal followed the only brought period for the Irish as opener Paul Stirling took attack to Pakistan bowlers to send home crowd into wild celebrations. Without caring for reputation, he smoked seven fours and a six as Umar Gul and Tanveer wilted under his assault. His attacking play forced Pakistan new ODI skipper to bring Junaid into the attack. And, it was all Pakistan after that.

In his very first over he removed dangerous Stirling for a breezy 22-ball 39 and followed it with the wicket of Andrew Cusack next over with an incoming delivery. His third was lethal one as he castled big hitter Kevin O’brein and then had Andre White caught by Salman on consecutive deliveries to see himself on a hat trick but was denied by a good defensive shot from J Mooney. In between Junaid’s heroics, Umar Gul snared Irish skipper William Porterfield to have home team reeling.

Irish tail-enders had no answer to Ajmal’s variations as off spinner’s doosras were potent enough to clean the remaining wickets. Younis Khan chipped in with his slow medium by having Mooney caught at short mid wicket by Hafeez.

As expected Pakistan won it but the way visitors dominated Ireland made the game a damp squib.

(2010 IST) After the rain delay, the proceedings were dominated by Pakistan bowlers taking out six Ireland batsmen for 76 runs. At this point a brief shower meant two more overs were lost from each innings. The match now is curtailed to 36 overs a side.

(1825 IST) The weather at Stormont in Belfast has been truly Irish. Spells of rain have frustrated for everybody- players, umpires and ground staff. After the initial delay, a small window opened for the toss that was won by Pakistan and Misbah-ul-Haq had no hesitation in bowling first. The match was first truncated to 43 overs a side and further delay meant two more overs were reduced. The play was about to start when rain Gods decided to have a ball. Finally, the affair settled as 38 overs a side game.

(1600 IST) Intermittent drizzle delayed toss in the first ODI of the two match series between Pakistan and Ireland. As a result, the outfield at the Stormont was soggy. We will keep you posted about the latest developments, if and when live action starts.