 The second and the final ODI between Pakistan and Ireland will be
played at the Stormont ground in Belfast at Ireland. The Pakistani side leads
the series 1-0 after they had won the first ODI with ease. They had managed to
get Ireland out for a score of less than 100 and were then able to knock the runs
off for the loss of three wickets alone.
Click for Live Score Card of Ireland Vs Pakistan
The star of the game for the Pakistani side was Junaid Khan, who managed
to pick up four wickets and later Saeed Ajmal, who went on to add three wickets
to his name. This meant that the Irish side, who had started off very well by
scoring 37 in the first five overs failed to get going once they lost the opening
pair.
Then again, it was the batting of Mohammad Hafeez, who made things very
easy for the Pakistan side. He scored a half century and in partnership with
the top-order, managed to get win the game by seven wickets.
The Irish side would be sorely missing the presence of Niall O'Brien and George Dockrell. O'Brien's batting in the middle order and Dockrell's left arm
spin in the middle of the innings has always been an issue for the opposition
and that would mean that they would be a very light side as compared to their
usual self.
This will be a good chance for the Pakistani side to gain a 2-0 lead before going
home and avenging their defeat to Ireland in the 2007 World Cup. Even then, there
was much moisture on the track and the Irish bowlers had been able to get the
better of the opposition through some sustained accurate bowling.
Pakistan will look to their top-order if they bat first. Their strategy will probably
be simple, bat through the first half of the innings, score cautiously but not
lose too many wickets in the innings. This will mean that the side will look to
ensure that they will be able to get going with a huge score even in difficult
conditions and make it difficult for the Irish chasers.
On the other hand, the bowling will look to enjoy the conditions in which they
will get wickets if they can bowl the right channels. A defeat here will obviously
have negative effects on the Pakistani side.
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