IRELAND Vs Pakistan Preview, Match 42, ADELAIDE

It may be Irish batting against Pakistan Pacers place in knockouts

On March 17, 2007, St. Patrick's Day, Ireland raced three wicket victory against Pakistan significant in the second game of ICC Cricket World Cup ever. Eight years on, and only two days before St. Patrick's Day this year, the two teams will play another game where the stakes are high, this time at the Adelaide Oval.

If the weather stays away from Napier and the West Indies beats United Arab Emirates with the amount of comfort, this will effectively be pre-quarterfinal. The team will almost certainly lose a bag pack.

Pakistan lost its opening two games against old foes India and the West Indies, but bounced back to win the next three, a stunning success last over mighty South Africa.

Ireland, meanwhile, began by chasing down the West Indies' 304 for 7 in rousing batting display and beat UAE and Zimbabwe. He was no match for the Test nations India and South Africa, but will be expected to make it to his first knockouts.

 Once again, the pitch at the Adelaide Oval looked bone dry and a small number of grass. Whether it is abrasive enough to scuff the ball up and allow for some reverse swing late in the innings still visible. For both sides, however, it will almost certainly bat-first surface. Ireland chased superbly against the West Indies, but it will less a fancy attack in which Mohammad Irfan, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan and Rahat Ali spells were all telling. A lack of initial spinner barely notice a resurrected Pakistan to campaign with victories against Zimbabwe, UAE and South Africa.


Ireland may bowlers who can offer that kind of lose speed, but the batsmen managed ten scored more than 50, with Ed Joyce, Niall O'Brien and Andrew Balbirnie twice apiece. Seddon Park against India, had a real chance to pile up 300-plus Ireland. Instead, he lost 53 in ten overs 7 last. It was the kind of glitch can not afford against Pakistan.


Due to recent records when chasing Pakistan, too will not want to bowl first in big-win game. And when he bats, it will look at batsmen more support to Misbah-ul-Haq, the captain to offer.

After three wins on the trot, Misbah and management teams will resist the urge to tinker much. If Younus Khan keeps his place, it is expected that, for either Umar Akmal Sohaib Maqsood or drop down to the bench so that he can attend the XI Haris Sohail, also offers the additional slow-bowling option.

"I want to believe that our best is yet to come," said Grant Flower, Pakistan's batting coach. "If we do not [deliver], I do that we will go much further in the competition."

Foirne: plays

Phacastáin (is dócha): Ahmed Shahzad, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Haris Sohail, Misbah-ul-Haq (Capt), Younus Khan, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan.

Éire (is dócha): William Porterfield (Capt), Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce, Niall O'Brien, Andy Balbirnie, Kevin O'Brien, Gary Wilson (wk), Stuart Thompson, John Mooney, George Dockrell, Alex Cusack.