LONDON: Pakistan whisked into the ICC World Twenty20 semifinals with an authoritative 39-run triumph over Ireland in a Super Eights match that saw pinch-hitter Kamran Akmal returning to form with a 50 here at The Oval yesterday.
Akmal hit 57 off 51 balls to shepherd Pakistan to 159-5 before some tight spells by their bowlers restricted Ireland to 120-9 for a comfortable result that ensured their inclusion in the last-four. The wicketkeeper-batsman collected his second man of the match award of the tournament and later said that he loves the pitch at The Oval. “I really love this pitch because it’s so good for batting,” said Akmal.
The victory margin was sufficient to lift Pakistan’s net run-rate to 1.19, ensuring there’s no way both New Zealand and Sri Lanka can finish with as many points and a higher rate following their Super Eights match at Trent Bridge today.
Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal was in full flow, picking up 4-19 in his four overs to ensure that Pakistan score yet another landslide win following a tame 19-run loss to Sri Lanka in their opening Super Eights match last week.
It was Pakistan’s second Super Eights win in a row after a six-wicket victory over New Zealand at the same venue on Saturday. Unlike New Zealand, where Gul took 5-6, it was Ajmal who did the job for Pakistan with, bamboozling the Irish batters with his ‘doosra’.
Gul, too, was at his brilliant best as he cleaned up Trent Johnston (0) and Andrew White (5) with swinging deliveries to finish with 2-19 in his four overs.
Irish skipper William Porterfield top scored with a 36-ball 40 but didn’t really get mush support from the other end. Kevin O’ Brien chipped in with 26 off 30 balls.
Ireland were in with a slim chance till the 15th over at 93-3 but lost six wickets in the last five overs for just 31 runs.
Earlier, Pakistan opted to bat first and decided to adopt a risk-free approach to post 159-5 in their 20 overs. They never really found the acceleration they were looking for though there were a series of small partnerships in their innings.
Young opener Shahzaib Hassan opened up with a couple of fours off Johnston in the second over but a tight first spell of 3-0-7-0 by pacer Boyd Rankin ensured that Pakistan didn’t just race to a flying start. Rankin bowled 13 dot balls in his tight spell which was the reason why Pakistan were unable to reach a bigger total.
Pakistan collected 20 runs off Johnston’s second over with both Shahzaib and Akmal hitting a six each over square leg. Shahzaib fell to Alex Cusack’s fourth delivery ass Pakistan could just gather 38-1 at the end of power-play. Shahzaib’s 19-ball 23 included three fours and a six.
Shahid Afridi, promoted up the order, hit an entertaining 24 off 13 balls with three four and put up 40 for the second wicket with Akmal. He spooned a slower one from Kyle McCallan to hand John Mooney a comfortable catch at long-on.
Younis Khan never really got into top gear, falling to Regan West for 10, leaving Pakistan at 102-3 in the 13th over.
Misbah-ul-Haq, yet to really fire in the tournament, smashed a six and a four in a 14-ball 20, before hit an unbeaten 15 off 9 balls that included a huge sixer. Shoaib Malik, who came in at number seven, scored just four off seven balls in the final overs when Pakistan couldn’t really get the big hits they were looking for to take their total to about 180-190. In the end, however, it turned out to be more than enough for Ireland.
