Ireland push Pakistan closer to World Cup exit by AFP

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Scorecard:	Ireland v Pakistan
Event:	ICC World Cup 2006/07

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DateLine: 17th March 2007

 

Pakistan were facing shock World Cup elimination on Saturday after Ireland's part-timers bowled them out for just 132 after 45.3 overs in a crucial Group D match at Sabina Park.

 

Pakistan needed to win this game after losing to hosts West Indies in their opening match in a Group D which also includes Zimbabwe.

 

The Irish, celebrating St Patrick's Day, went into the match having clinched a point from their first game with a thrilling last ball tie against Zimbabwe.

 

Skipper Trent Johnston won the toss and put Pakistan in and the Asian giants, world champions in 1992, were soon in trouble

 

They were 25-2 after just five overs with opener Mohammad Hafeez dismissed off the final ball of the first over for four and star batsman Younis Khan then caught by Andre Botha off Boyd Rankin for nought in the fourth over.

 

Dangerman Mohammad Yousuf was then out caught by William Porterfield off Johnston for 15 to make the score 56-3 which soon became 58-4 when skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq was picked up by Eoin Morgan off Botha for one.

 

Imran Nazir, who had been dropped earlier, became the next man out for 24, and with the score at 66, falling to the same Morgan-Botha combination.

 

Shoaib Malik, the top scorer for his team against the West Indies, then became the sixth man out caught by wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien off brother Kevin having made 9.

 

That made the score 72-6.

 

Kamran Akmal and Azhar Mahmood temporarily stopped the rot with a 31-run seventh wicket partnership but Rankin broke the resistance by having Mahmood caught by Johnston with the all-rounder having made two.

 

Johnston then pulled off a stunning catch to dimiss Akmal off Rankin, holding on to the ball as he ran backwards at mid-on to leave Pakistan reeling at 106-8.

 

The last two wickets mustered an extra 26 runs which could prove crucial when Ireland begin their attempt to win the match.

 

Rankin was Ireland's best bowler taking 3-32.

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)