Sorry about the paragraphs, it looks like the journalist has a return-key fetish.
A much better article from www.cricinfo.com
A magnificent performance from Ireland, and an innings of real class from their wicketkeeper, Niall O'Brien, secured them their first World Cup win, edging aside Pakistan by 3 wickets who were sent tumbling back home with their trophy tails between their legs. That Ireland should achieve it in front of a sizeable and partisan crowd was one thing; to accomplish the feat on St Patrick's day quite another.
Chasing 133 on a difficult pitch, with overhead conditions and a green pitch assisting Pakistan's bowlers, O'Brien led Ireland's response with a superb 72. His innings began with a relative flurry of boundaries - off an angry Mohammad Sami and a rather more placid Umar Gul - before dropping anchor, absorbing the pressure and deadening Pakistan's potency. He came to the crease after Sami had removed Jeremy Bray - Ireland's hero in their memorable tie against Zimbabwe two days ago - and a nervous Eoin Morgan, both trapped in front. Batting was not easy.
Sami was hostile but O'Brien's resolve, not to mention ability, was up to the task - as was William Porterfield. A natural aggressor, he slunk into cautious defence - the situation required as such - before Mohammad Hafeez's clever arm-ball induced a thick inside edge. 62 for 3 then became 70 for 4 owing to a worryingly poor error in judgement from the umpire Brian Jerling when he gave Andre Botha out, caught by Hafeez at short-leg when he quite clearly hadn't touched it. The batsman's horror was matched only by Hafeez's surprise.
A rain delay forced the players off the pitch, with Pakistan looking distraught, and the calculus of Duckworth-Lewis altered Ireland's total. On the resumption O'Brien attacked, crashing Iftikhar Anjum for a sumptuous cover drive and, shortly afterwards, smacking Shoaib Malik over his head for a huge six. His resolve weakened when he attempted a repeat shot and was smartly stumped, cueing an Ireland collapse of 3 for 5 in seven balls. And though there were warning signs of tail-end panic, O'Brien's brother, Kevin, showed the same dogged tenacity as his sibling, nudging a determined 16 to record a famous win. Pakistan trudged off in the gloom, airport-bound, despondent and shell-shocked. Losing to West Indies was regrettable enough, but to Ireland? The repercussions could be messy.
If the bowling was underpar, it was the performance of their batsmen which really cost them the match. Reckless against West Indies in their opening match, today they struggled against the moving ball on a seamer-friendly surface. True, Ireland won a good toss; yes, the pitch was made for Ireland's wobblers. But Pakistan's much vaunted lineup were complacent, impatient and inexcusably careless. Dave Langford-Smith got the ball rolling with an early wicket, but it was Boyd Rankin - the tournament's tallest bowler at 6 foot 7 - who really caused problems, gaining steepling bounce and accounting for Younis Khan, Pakistan's pivotal No.3.
Imran Nazir was determined to counterattack and did so with Mohammad Yousuf in a steadying, calming partnership of 41 before Trent Johnston brought himself into the attack. Yet Yousuf, usually so nerveless, slapped him straight to backward point to leave Pakistan wobbling on 56 for 3. In came Inzamam-ul-Haq, the man who thrives (and often succeeds) in a crisis - but he too was troubled by the moving ball and edged Botha to Eoin Morgan's right who took a fine catch. Was the unthinkable happening?
Kamran Akmal was the only Pakistan batsman to show the necessary application - that alone tells a story - before he was caught, quite brilliantly, by Johnston diving (and winding himself in the process) at midwicket. With each wicket, Ireland's fielding intensity rose. They were dynamic and near faultless.
Labelled as minnows, underdogs, and chirpy hopefuls before the tournament begun, Ireland's performance today was as much a poke in the eye to the detractors who argue against Associates playing at this level. The Ireland coach, Adrian Birrell, said before today's game that all the pressure would be on Pakistan. It showed, too. With Bangladesh upsetting India, it has been a day of banana skins.
Will Luke is editorial assistant of Cricinfo
And for getting off, freepmail with the subject [region] off.
Shoot, I didn't even know that the Irish played cricket!
Substitute Ireland ping.
Cricket, of all things.
You have to feel for Inzamam -- he looked utterly crestfallen -- but what a victory.
Up there wth Kenya's defeat of the West Indies in 1996, a game that kind of confirmed the decline of Carribean cricket.
I wonder if this could be a similar moment for Pakistan, which is experiencing all kinds of internal problems. Will Woolmer go as well, I wonder?
Any Freepers in Pakistan this morning? I'm wondering what the mood is like on the streets of Lahore at the moment...
Ireland dump Pakistan out of World Cup, 'Pakistan Times' Sports Desk
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Pakistan crashed out of the World Cup here on Saturday after losing to Ireland by three wickets in a dramatic match at Sabina Park.[excerpt]The win for Ireland, made up mostly of part-timers and foreign imports, was secured when skipper Trent Johnston hit a huge six off Azhar Mahmood off the fourth ball of the 43rd over.
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