Articles by "Pakistan in Ireland 2013"
Showing posts with label Pakistan in Ireland 2013. Show all posts

Anonymous at May 28, 2013 0
Pakistan have backed Ireland's bid for Test status after a thrilling ODI series. Pakistan earlier supported Bangladesh in winning Test status and have been working to get a prominent place for Afghanistan in international cricket.

[caption id="attachment_1208" align="alignright" width="300"]Ireland have beaten in Pakistan and England in past World Cups (Photo: AFP) Ireland have beaten Pakistan and England in past World Cups (Photo: AFP)[/caption]

Pakistan Test and ODI captain Misbah-ul-Haq said that it is up to the ICC to grant Test status to any side, but Ireland are a better team now and the council should consider their request.

Pakistan had to struggle against Ireland in the recently concluded ODI series, and even came to the brink of defeat in the second match.

“We had to put in all our efforts to win the series. Ireland’s batting line-up is strong and they can perform anywhere in the world,” Misbah said. “As for bowling, they may need to struggle abroad, but they have improved a lot.”

The first ODI between the two ended in a draw after a riveting chase by the hosts. Ireland looked set to lift the series as theycame very close to winning the second ODI when Pakistan’s half of the team were sent packing on just 60, while chasing a target of 230 runs. Kamran Akmal and Wahab Riaz added 93 runs for the eighth wicket, shattering Ireland’s dreams.

Ireland, who hold ODI status, beat Pakistan and England in the past in two World Cups and are considered among better associate teams. In contrast to other emerging teams, Ireland’s cricketers have got experience of playing with seasoned players in English County circuit.
Read more »

Anonymous at May 27, 2013 0
Another breathtaking match was witnessed in Dublin’s beautiful ground. Although Pakistan managed to win the 2nd ODI of the two-match series, Ireland have won the hearts of fans and experts of the game. While Pakistan’s preparation for the coming Champions Trophy is now open to questioning. Chasing a 230-run target, when Pakistan had lost seven wickets off 133 runs, even Kamran Akmal and Wahab Riaz might not be sure of leading their team to victory. However, Pakistan’s faults have been overshadowed by their performances, and their 93-run partnership in 10 overs saved the visitors from a humiliating defeat.

[caption id="attachment_1173" align="alignright" width="300"]Had Pakistan lost the match, they would have been the first team to have beaten by a non-Test playing nation (Photo: AFP) Had Pakistan lost the match, they would have been the first team to have beaten by a non-Test playing nation (Photo: AFP)[/caption]

Ed Joyce’s ton and later outstanding bowling by the Irish pacers had laid the foundations of victory for the hosts, but they were not destined to win. Joyce scored his maiden century for Ireland and remained at the crease till the end, playing an unbeaten innings of 116. The ‘green storm’ once again showed what they are capable of. Despite the difficulties in start of the innings, they played well, understanding the pitch and the conditions after Pakistan had put them into bat. Joyce’s inning was a sign that the hosts’ first priority was to stick at the crease and play out the overs, and gathering as much score as possible. That’s why a modest target of 230 runs became a Himalaya for Pakistan and they lost four wickets on just 17. On 60, half of Pakistan’s team were back in pavilion, including the team’s captain Misbah-ul-Haq.

Akmal and Shoaib Malik managed to add 52 runs for the sixth wicket, but the partnership broke when it was most needed, and Malik was dismissed on 43 off 58. Akmal was the last hope for Pakistan. He advanced his innings with Abdur Rehman, who was out when the team’s total was 133. Riaz was next to come in and after a slow start, he stole the show. Pakistan needed another 32 runs when in the 47th over started. Riaz avenged himself on Tim Murtagh for what the Irish bowler did to Pakistan in the initial overs. He hit three sixes and a four in the over, making 24 runs and almost finishing the match off. Akmal was dismissed in the last moments when the visitors were just four runs away from victory. Junaid Khan scored the final two runs in the next over to help Pakistan win the match, and the series. Akmal was the highest run-scorer for Pakistan with 81 off 85, while Riaz pitched in an undefeated 47 runs off 35 balls.

Murtagh, Trent Johnston and Alex Cusack took two wicket apiece, and Kevin O'Brien and George Dockrell took one wicket each.

The victory was also important for Pakistan as it salvaged Pakistan from a disgraceful record. Had the visitors lost the match, they would have been the first ever Test-playing nation to have lost a series by a non-Test-playing country.

Earlier, when Pakistan put Ireland into bat after winning the toss, the hosts did not lose hope despite losing the early wickets of Paul Stirling and William Porterfield. Especially, Ed Joyce had the nerves of steel to face Pakistani bowlers. Pakistan were playing without Mohammad Irfan and Saeed Ajmal and gave a chance to Asad Ali who made his career debut and lived up to expectations. He gave just 22 in 10 overs and taking a wicket as well. Joyce’s 65-run partnership with Niall O'Brien in the third wicket and 94-run partnership with Kevin O'Brien in the fifth wicket put Pakistan under pressure, but thanks to Abdur Rehman who restricted the opponents from scoring a big total.

[caption id="attachment_1171" align="alignright" width="300"]Ed Joyce’s maiden hundred for Ireland went in vain (Photo: AFP) Ed Joyce’s maiden hundred for Ireland went in vain (Photo: AFP)[/caption]

He sent the Irish batsmen to the pavilion at a time when they were poised to give Pakistan a difficult target, piggybacking on Joyce’s ton. The spinner took four wickets, including the last match’s hero Kevin O’Brien. Apart from Joyce, Niall O’Brien and Kevin O’Brien were the only Irish batsmen to score in double digits, scoring 29 and 38 runs, respectively. Studded with 12 fours and one six, Ed Joyce’s innings took 132 balls and ruled the first inning throughout. Joyce had stepped in in the first over after the dismissal of Stirling.

Besides Abdur Rehman’s four, Junaid Khan took two wickets, while Riaz, Ali and Mohammad Hafeez took one wicket apiece.

Akmal was given the man-of-the-match award for his match saving performance, while Kevin O’Brien received the player-of-the-series award for his all-round brilliance.

Though Ireland were not happy with the result, they must be surely satisfied with their performance in both matches. The first match ended in a draw and Ireland missed victory only by a very narrow margin. And in today’s match, only two players proved to be the stumbling block for them and they lost the match and the series. However, the way they controlled Pakistan has showed how capable they are.

Pakistan are now set to leave for England where the Champions Trophy will begin from June 6. They will play two warm-up matches against Sri Lanka and South Africa before the biggest tournament of the year.
Read more »

Anonymous at May 24, 2013 0
What Ireland did to Pakistan’s “strongest department” – bowling – has revealed the visitors’ preparations before the upcoming Champions Trophy. There is an incommensurable difference between the team who was practicing under the guidance of Wasim Akram and the one who failed to defend a reasonable target of 276 runs against the minnows. Pakistan would have lost the match but for the Duckworth–Lewis method.

[caption id="attachment_1106" align="alignright" width="261"]Hafeez’s century did not help Pakistan win the match (Photo: AFP) Hafeez’s century did not help Pakistan win the match (Photo: AFP)[/caption]

Saeed Ajmal, who is currently the world’s number one spinner, gave 14 runs in the last over against the inexperienced side, and if Kevin O'Brien had hit six instead of four on the last ball, the ending would have been reminiscent of the 2007 World Cup.

O’Brien was rightly given the man-of-the-match award for his 84-run innings on just 47 balls against the so-called world’s best bowling attack. He outshone the centuries of Pakistan’s Mohammad Hafeez and teammate Paul Stirling. O’Brien evoked the memories of 2011 World Cup match between Ireland and England.

After a good opening stand of 62 run at Clontarf, Dublin Stirling and Ed Joyce added 96 runs in the second wicket. Stirling played a remarkable innings of 103 runs, and the rest was done by Kevin O’Brien. As soon as O’Brien entered the ground, the runs gathered pace, and he single-handedly led the team so near to victory. O’Brien’s rampage can be determined by the fact in the fourth-wicket partnership of 59 runs between him and wicket-keeper Gary Wilson, the latter’s share was just 11 runs.

Given Pakistan’s skilled bowling attack and their experience in the international cricket, it seemed that Ireland could fail to salvage the match despite wickets in their hand. Even in the last over, the hosts require another 15 runs to win. O’Brien and Trent Johnston managed to scorer only three runs in the first three balls of the over. But the match escaped from Pakistan’s clutches after O’Brien’s six on the fourth ball and four on the last ball. Although the match ended in a draw, it is considered as Pakistan’s defeat.

Ajmal’s performance in the match was also the worst bowling of his career. He could not claim a single wicket in the match and gave 71 runs in 10 overs. No Pakistani bowler could control the flow of runs barring Hafeez, who gave 34 runs in nine overs at 3.77.

Earlier, when Pakistan started their innings, their slow posture was evident of the fact the visitors were finding it difficult to acclimatize to the new conditions. When Pakistan’s first wicket fell on 33 runs, it was the 13th over which means their run rate was below three even in the powerplay overs. And Pakistan paid the price for this sluggishness. After Nasir Jamshed was retired hurt, Asad Shafiq, who is now playing at the third position after coach’s direction, came in to accompany Hafeez.

Hafeez played an unbeatable 122-run innings and Shafiq scored 84. The team’s skipper Misbah-ul-Haq was run out for a duck. Shafiq reached his 1,000 ODI runs, playing the best innings of his career. However, he failed to score his maiden one-day century and was caught on long-on when he tried to score a six. He made a partnership of 188 with Hafeez.

The innings, interrupted four times with rain, ended on 266 off five in 47 overs.

Ireland’s Alex Cusack and Kevin O'Brien took two wickets apiece.

Both teams will come face-to-face again on May 26 at the same venue to play the decisive match of the series.
Read more »

Anonymous at May 22, 2013 0
Recent matches between Pakistan and Scotland were not broadcasted live in Pakistan and local fans were bitterly disappointed. They were expecting to watch their national team in action after a two-month rest. Things are not changing Pakistani cricket lovers would face similar situation in the case of Pakistan-Ireland matches, but the Cricket Ireland and video-sharing website YouTube have joined hands to stream the matches live.

[caption id="attachment_1056" align="alignright" width="300"]Pakistan won both ODIs against Oreland in 2011 (Photo: AFP) Pakistan won both ODIs against Oreland in 2011 (Photo: AFP)[/caption]

According to the Cricket Ireland, it will stream both matches live on YouTube with the production of Quipu TV. So, the cricket fans world over can enjoy every ball of both ODIs to be held in Clontarf, Dublin.

The matches can be watched at www.youtube.com/cricketirelandtv.  Cricket Ireland’s official website: www.cricketireland.ie. will also be casting it live on web.

Cricket Ireland Chief Executive Warren Deutrom said that it was a good news for those who would not be able to attend the match at ground. He said the Irish board was indebted to the ICC Development Programme and Quipu TV that made it possible.

Pakistan and Ireland will play the first ODI on May 23 at Clontarf, Dublin. The second match will be played on May 26 at the same venue.
Read more »

Anonymous at May 21, 2013 0
The first and foremost priority of Pakistan Cricket Board chief Zaka Ashraf has been to bring international cricket back home, but after repeated refusals by Bangladesh to tour Pakistan, the board seemed to have back-burnered the demand.

[caption id="attachment_1021" align="alignright" width="300"]Cricket Ireland CEO Warren Deutrom said the board is considering Pakistan’s idea of a reciprocal tour (Photo: AFP) Cricket Ireland CEO Warren Deutrom says that the board is considering Pakistan’s idea of a reciprocal tour (Photo: AFP)[/caption]

There are some good news, Cricket Ireland CEO Warren Deutrom says that Ireland team is willing to tour Pakistan as a reciprocal visit, given the country’s satisfactory security situation.

He told Sunday Independent that Irish Cricket Board was indebted to Pakistan for their support in the form of agreeing to play in Ireland for a number of times in past.

Pakistan has not witnessed an international match since March 2009 when gunmen attacked Sri Lankan team in Lahore. The country was also deprived of hosting the 2011 World Cup. Therefore, the day Ashraf took charge, he started working for the resumption of international cricket in Pakistan.

Pakistan, who are in the UK these days to acclimatize to English conditions before the next month’s Champions Trophy, are set to play two ODIs against Ireland on May 23 and 26.

Deutrom said PCB had asked for a reciprocal tour and the Irish board is considering the idea, “provided that we could have the requisite comfort levels around safety and security levels for the squad while there”.

He said the board had earlier considered the idea of visiting Pakistan but the government and a professional security firm advised against it.

The Cricket Ireland CEO said that the board’s willingness to visit Pakistan was not mere rhetoric and he had had discussion with Pakistan representative in the ICC, Intikhab Alam in this regard.

Earlier in 2012, Bangladesh expressed their willingness to tour Pakistan but backed off after a stay order by the Bangladesh Supreme Court. In December, they again showed wilingness to visit Pakistan but Pakistan’s euphoria soon gave way to despair when Bangladesh Cricket Board chief Nazmul Hassan linked the team’s visit to Pakistan’s security, which was a euphemism for saying a straight 'No'.

Anyway, let’s hope against hope for Ireland tour to Pakistan.
Read more »

Anonymous at May 15, 2013 0
Pakistan are all set to play a two-match ODI series against Scotland this week, and after they will be staying in Ireland to play two ODIs against the Irish side before leaving for England. Ireland have announced their team for the series.

[caption id="attachment_930" align="alignright" width="229"]John Mooney is facing a one-match ban for posting an insensitive tweet about the death of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher and would not play the first ODI (Photo: Cricket Ireland) John Mooney is facing a one-match ban for posting an insensitive tweet about the death of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher and would not play the first ODI (Photo: Cricket Ireland)[/caption]

Pakistan have always been generous with minnows. They stayed in Ireland for a two-match ODI series two years ago on their way back to home from West Indies tour. Now a month before the biggest tournament of the year, Pakistan will again be seen in action against the Irish side.

Ireland coach and former West Indies player Phil Simmons has relied on the same players who helped their side win both World Cup qualifiers in the UAE.

Both matches will be held in Clontarf, Dublin on May 23 and 26, and Simmons is expecting a better performance from his players. He said familiar conditions will raise the Ireland’s chances of victory and added that the team would try to put Pakistan under pressure from the outset. The coach said Ireland’s performance had been satisfactory for the past few years, especially against England and Australia, where they lost matches which they should have won. In the presence of home crowd and familiar conditions in Clontarf, the team are more hopeful, he added.

Terming Pakistan as a strong team, Simmons said playing against Pakistan is a big challenge, but added that it is the challenge the team crave for to improve their performance.

Irish all-rounder John Mooney is facing a one-match ban so he would not play the first ODI. He was banned for posting an insensitive tweet about the death of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher.

Ireland squad:

William Porterfield (captain), Alex Cusack, Andrew White, Ed Joyce, Gary Wilson., George Dockrell, James Shannon, John Mooney*, Kevin O'Brien, Max Sorensen, Niall O'Brien, Paul Stirling, Tim Murtagh, Trent Johnston.
Read more »
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)