Pakistan v Ireland- 2nd ODI - Match Preview
Pakistan and Ireland are going to play the 2nd and last One Day International (ODI) here at Belfast today, May 30, 2011. Pakistan leads the series 1-0.
Having won a 5-match ODI series and levelled a 2-match Test series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760, the Men in Green have their tails up.
A majority of cricket lovers think that Pakistan is determined to take revenge for their 2007 World Cup defeat to Ireland and subsequent elimination from the tournmanet.
On the other hand, the Irish are h**l-bent to win the last game to empower their cause to take part in the 2015 World Cup.
Despite their comfortable victory in the first game, Pakistan coach, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Waqar-Younis-Maitla-c96193, tells that they will not take the Irish easy.
Last match legacy
The last match legacy is likely to affect today’s game. The two sides met at the same venue on May 28. Batting first, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 chased down the meagre target in just 27.3 overs for the loss of 3 wickets.
Skippers in sight
Misbah-ul-Haq: The Pakistani middle-aged captain seems to be in great form. He has just held the reins of both ODI and Test formats after the ouster of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sahibzada-Mohammad-Shahid-Khan-Afridi-c87933. He delivers well with the bat and works as an alert fielder.
However, he lacks consistency. Moreover, he has very limited experience of ODI leadership.
William Porterfield: The 26-year old left-handed batsman has been leading the Irish excellently since his elevation to captaincy. He has marvellous batting records. He holds good experience of domestic cricket as well. He led his side well
during the recently concluded World Cup.
Team talk
Pakistan:
Their bowling department is rock-solid with spinners and pacers contributing.
They are lacking at the batting end. Consistency has always been a problem for Men in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Green-c60723. The opening pair is somewhat unreliable. The absence of all-rounder, Afridi, will be felt in the game. The ODI series victory against the Windies has proved to be morale booster for them.
Mohammad Hafeez is performing well with both bat and ball. Junaid Khan has gained high-voltage form after his 4-wicket haul in the last game.
Ireland:
Enjoy home ground advantage. They pose to be the best associate nation. However, their performance depends upon luck and chance. They caused a big upset by beating http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Adam-Griffith-c919 threat for Pakistan.
Their bowlers are showing better form. Ireland has no chance to comeback as it is the last game. The batting department lacks both strength and consistency. They lack specialists in both batting and bowling sides.
Watch-out for
Mohammad Hafeez. The Pakistani all-rounder has stunned the world with his improvised bowling and stable batting. He opens the innings with the bat and often bowls with the new ball. His is expected to make an impact in today’s game.
Kevin O’Brien: The batting star of Ireland, who set a new record with the fastest ever Match-winning World Cup century, on Indian soil. He is a http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Justin-Ivan-Granger-c69705 man in the Irish batting line-up. He has the ability to a steal much-needed victory for
his team.
Squads
Pakistan: http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Junaid-Khan-c77037, Hammad Azam.
Ireland: http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gary-Craig-Wilson-c58487.
Last word
It is all the same for Pakistan whether they win or lose the game. But the Irish have pinned their World Cup hopes on this match. Their victory may put them in a very favourable position to negotiate with the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding
Test status and a place in the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 2015 World Cup.
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