Security officials hurried Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq away from reporters and back to the squad’s hotel after his side beat Ireland in the first of two one-day internationals. But this was one occasion when his team’s actions spoke louder than words. Pakistan’s emphatic seven-wicket victory at Stormont on Saturday could have been a tricky assignment in alien conditions.
The World Cup semifinalists left the sub-continent for the West Indies where they wrapped up the five-match one-day series there with victories in the first three matches. And in less than two days since arriving in temperatures 20 degrees lower than they left behind in the Caribbean, Pakistan adjusted to a cold and blustery day to skittle Ireland out for just 96. Junaid Khan, left-arm pace man changed the course of the game with three wickets in four overs on his way to four for 12 in five.
Junaid didn’t manage that there was no way back for Ireland from 66 for six and the introduction of off-spinner Saeed Ajmal hurried the innings to its conclusion, his three wickets coming in just 10 deliveries. Ireland captain William Porterfield, while admitting Pakistan bowled well, was more concerned by his side’s lack of resilience.
“It was difficult for the batsmen with the ball seaming around but we didn’t acquit ourselves as well as we should have and there were too many poor shots and not enough application at the crease. We folded too easily and didn’t put any partnerships together.
M Hafeez brought up his 12th ODI 50 from 83 balls with seven fours and a six but was dismissed next ball, the second of three wickets for Australia-born Alex Cusack, Ireland’s only successful bowler. Those wickets allowed Misbah, in his first match as Pakistan’s one-day captain and celebrating his 37th birthday, to hit the winning runs.