Published: Aug 17, 2016, 08:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 18, 2016, 12:24 PM (IST)
After changing their fortunes from 2-1 to leveling the series against England in the recently-concluded Test series, Pakistan are set to begin their two-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Ireland. The first ODI will take place at The Village, Malahide, Dublin. The history between these teams is not very old. Pakistan and Ireland have clashed in six ODIs. Out of these Pakistan have emerged as winners in four while the rest were clinched by Ireland. One of them stands out where Pakistan were crashed out from ICC 2007 Cricket World Cup in the group stages, which remains their first conflict. Ireland had comfortably won the game by three wickets and 32 balls to spare. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Pakistan vs Ireland,1st ODI at The Village, Malahide, Dublin
Niall O’Brien, along with Boyd Rankin, Andre Botha and Kyle McCallan did the necessary damage. As for Pakistan, Imran Nazir and Kamran Akmal were the only batsmen who managed to go past twenty-odd runs. If we speak about the hosts, Ireland are coming by gaining some experience in the ODI scene against Afghanistan at home. They leveled the series and fought back equally. Most of the credit belonged to opening batsman Ed Joyce, who scored 160 in the final ODI to level the series against Afghanistan.
Apart from Joyce, Gary Wilson also stepped in with his half-century, when rests of the batsmen were bowled out for single digits. Skipper William Porterfield was a disappointment as he was unable to score his best. The last he scored a century was against Pakistan in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in Adelaide. The captain will be expected to repeat the same stance against same opponent this time around.
Yet another boost for Ireland will be the return of Niall and Craig Young. Niall missed the ODI series against Afghanistan due to injury. The middle-order is expected to be a run parade with the inclusion of Niall. Kevin O’Brien is yet another batsman to watch out for. After his 84 off 47 deliveries in 2013 against Pakistan, his score dropped to No. 8 in 2015 World Cup. The other batsmen need to bring their best against unstabalised Pakistan to provide tough competition. ALSO READ: Boyd Rankin ruled out of County season due to fracture in leg
Young, who is also making a comeback will be expected to bring more venom to the bowling unit. Barry McCarthy made his debut against Sri Lanka and has been consistent, which is why he finds his place in the squad once again. His combined four-wicket haul along with Kevin was enough to bowl out Afghanistan for 250. Kevin remains prominent for his bowling as well.
Peter Chase also comes handy with wickets at the need of hour. But the spearhead for Ireland will be Tim Murtagh. The last he faced Pakistan was in 2013 and took two wickets. After a gap of three years, Murtagh will look for redemption. Andy McBrine and Paul Stirling will provide the spin options in this squad.
In contrast, Pakistan have made some changes to their side and have mixed batch of old as well as new gems. Pakistan will find Sami Aslam returning to ODI circuit after his last stint against Bangladesh in 2015. He scored quick fire 50 off 45 deliveries and also complimented Azhar Ali then. Azhar will continue to lead the team in ODI against Ireland as well as in the upcoming ODI matches against England.
Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal are not a part of the Pakistani squad as they were axed due to discipline issues. Mohammad Hafeez remains in the squad after his recent ODI performance against New Zealand scoring 42 and 76 respectively. Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed remain pick of choice in the middle-order. Sarfraz unbeaten 101 lead Pakistan to victory against Ireland in 2015 World Cup. ALSO READ: PAK tour of ENG 2016, Test series: Marks out of 10
Amongst the bowlers Mohammed Aamer and Yasir Shah will once again try to gain all the spotlight after their heroics against England in the Test series. Aamer has played ample amount of limited-overs cricket after his comeback and the recent one being against New Zealand earlier this year. Yasir last played his ODI against England in Dubai in 2015 and will be facing Ireland conditions for the first time. Newbie Hasan Ali finds a spot in the squad. Ali was helpful in picking 20 wickets in the recent England tour that ended earlier this month. But the return of their spearhead Umar Gul has taken social media ablaze.
The 32-year-old played his last ODI match against Bangladesh at Dhaka. He has stayed away from ODIs due to injury. Ireland will have to be wary of the tough bowling unit coming their way to survive in this series. Wahab Riaz will also play a key role. But his recent performance against New Zealand becomes worrisome for Pakistan.
With Ireland knowing the home conditions and these teams meeting after a gap of an year, the ball lies with the hosts. Pakistan have not been at par with ODI after their disastrous defeat against New Zealand. With the inclusion of some powerful, experienced and young unit, Pakistan will want to regain their ODI status back before taking on England in the coming week. Ireland will look to play on their strengths and avenge their earlier defeat.
Squads:
Ireland: William Porterfield (c), John Anderson, Peter Chase, Ed Joyce, Tim Murtagh, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien, Stuart Poynter (wk), Boyd Rankin, Paul Stirling, Gary Wilson, Craig Young.
Pakistan: Azhar Ali (c), Sharjeel Khan, Sami Aslam, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Nawaz.
Time: 15:15 IST | 10:45 local | 09:45 GMT
