Good afternoon and welcome to The Roar‘s coverage of Match 42 of the 2015 Cricket World Cup featuring Ireland up against Pakistan at Adelaide Oval. You can follow the live scores and coverage from 2:30pm (AEDT) and leave your comments below.
Everything is on the line for Ireland and Pakistan in Adelaide today.
Win and a spot in the quarterfinals is secured.
Lose and their fate is in the hands of the West Indies – who face off against the UAE today – as well as the weather and the mathematical gods.
With the winner of today’s game set to finish third in Pool B, they will meet Australia here in Adelaide for the beginning of the knock out stages next week.
There has been a lot of talk about Ireland’s win over Pakistan in what was only their second ever World Cup game in 2007.
It was a win that stunned the cricketing world and embarrassed Pakistan.
While the stakes are higher today, a win for Ireland could not be said to be an upset as it was eight years ago.
After their opening victory over the West Indies, the Irish have won over many cricket commentators, and backed up this respect with two more wins against the UAE and Zimbabwe.
In particular, their ability to chase down targets has been impressive.
Unlike Ireland, Pakistan started off their tournament poorly, with two straight losses against India and the West Indies.
Since then, however, Pakistan have managed three wins on the trot, including a stunning win over tournament favourites South Africa.
In that match, the Pakistani bowling attack restricted the Proteas to just 202 runs.
Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali and Mohammad Irfan have been pivotal to Pakistan’s World Cup recovery and will need to bowl Pakistan into the quarterfinals today.
If Pakistan’s bowlers can get on top and restrict the Irish to a modest total Pakistan should take the spoils.
Ireland will have other plans, however, and will look to their batsmen for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce and Andrew Balbirnie are key to their team’s success and have shown throughout the tournament that they are capable of applying scoreboard pressure.
They will certainly need the luck of the Irish if they are to win today.
Prediction:
This game should be a cracker, with both teams playing for a spot in the quarterfinals, but Pakistan should get over the line.
Sandy
Guest
It was after Sarfraz had his hundred that things became odd, very strange indeed.
taj ur rehman
Guest
Congrates pakistanis we won
Sarah Olle
Expert
MATCH WRAP UP - Wow, for a second there I wasn't sure we were going to reach a conclusion. Pakistan looked like they were set for a very comfortable win, but in a bid to get Sarfraz to 100, they stuttered toward the finishing line. Despite all this, in the end, Sarfraz made his ton and Pakistan won by 7 wickets. Sarfraz's opening partnership with Shehzad was Pakistan's best of the tournament and set the tone for what was an easy run chase. Ireland will be kicking themselves. They started off the match well, winning the toss and electing to bat. Captain Porterfield's knock of 107 was a ripper, but he received little support from the middle order. When Wilson was caught out on 29, Ireland's innings really unravelled. They only managed 48 runs from the last 10 overs. A large part of this was because the Pakistani bowling attack were once again superb. Ireland leave the tournament having won over many fans. They beat two member teams - the West Indies and Zimbabwe - and should be proud of their efforts. I hope to see them at 2019 World Cup, although this will be made all the more difficult with the tournament shrinking to a 10 team event. Pakistan will now meet Australia in the knockout quarter final in Adelaide next week. Now that their batsmen have hit their stride, Pakistan should be confident to take it to the Australians. PAKISTAN WINS BY 7 WICKETS Man of the Match - Ahmed Sarfraz
Sandy
Guest
Very odd, what the heck was that all about.
Sarah Olle
Expert
FOUR AND WIN - Akmal finishes off with a four down the ground and Pakistan win by 7 wickets. Hallelujah! PAKISTAN WILL PROGRESS TO THE QUARTER FINALS AGAINST AUSTRALIA. For Ireland, this is the end of their tournament.
Sarah Olle
Expert
Well that was an anti-climax. Sarfraz prods the last two balls of the over and Pakistan are still chasing for victory. Misbah looks visibly upset from the players' box - he wants this game over.
Sarah Olle
Expert
FINALLY!!!!!!!! Sarfraz gets a boundary and gets his 100. Pakistan now need 1 run to win. Sarfraz has Akmal to thank, who blocked 5 balls in a row in that last over so Sarfraz could get his ton.
Sarah Olle
Expert
Sarfraz is on strike. George Dockrell is bowling.
Sarah Olle
Expert
That's 5 blocks from 5 balls. Sarfraz, please, for all our sakes, get your ton and get off the field.
Sarah Olle
Expert
If Akmal continues to block the ball, Ireland may actually be in with a chance to win this game. Akmal is determined that Sarfraz makes his ton so he is happy to just block, block and block away.
Sarah Olle
Expert
He takes a single.... ....they are really dragging this game out.
Sarah Olle
Expert
A wide. So now only 6 runs required for victory - Sarfraz needs to make 4 of them.
Sarah Olle
Expert
It's Mooney to bowl.
Sarah Olle
Expert
Yup. Blocked. So Sarfraz is on 96*. He needs 4 for his 100 and Pakistan needs 7 runs for victory. This is agonising to watch.
Sarah Olle
Expert
Sarfraz takes a single and I'd almost bet my life on Akmal blocking this last delivery.
Sarah Olle
Expert
A wide and a single for Akmal. Pakistan needs 8 runs for victory. Sarfraz needs 5 runs for his century.
Sarah Olle
Expert
Sarfraz looks for two runs off the first delivery but Akmal sends him back. Akmal will need to hit a single to get off strike. 10 runs for victory. 5 runs for Sarfraz's century.
Sarah Olle
Expert
Thompson continues for his tenth and last over.
Sarah Olle
Expert
Akmal has got the message and blocks the last two balls of O'Brien's over. That means Safraz will retain the strike and will be given the opportunity to make 100. 11 runs for victory now.
Sarah Olle
Expert
FOUR - Akmal can't help himself! A one bounce boundary through mid on and now Pakistan needs 11 runs for victory.