IRE v PAK, 1st ODI Preview: Pakistan look to Ireland for ODI practice

In what has deemed as a practice match prior to their encounter against England, Pakistan will take on Ireland in the first match of the IRE v PAK series. Pakistan will be on a high following their impressive showing in the Test series and will be hoping to emulate the same in the One Day Internationals as well. This IRE v PAK encounter will be viewed by most as a practice match or a dress rehearsal ahead of the encounter against England.

Pitch Conditions

The wicket at Malahide has always been a good one to bat on. Moreover, the fact that most of the matches have been high scoring encounters while most have also yielded results despite the rains. History shows that the team batting second has usually gone on to win the encounter.

Team Analysis

Ireland

Ireland may have lost their previous few encounters against Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. However, their cricketing power and governance is something that is being used as a case study to show the growth of cricket in associate nations. With William Porterfield, Kevin O’Brien and Paul Stirling in their ranks, their batting unit looks as formidable as ever.

Also read – England to follow ‘horses for courses’ strategy for forthcoming tour of India

However, the problem Ireland will be faced with will certainly be the absence of Boyd Rankin. The tall and lanky pacer was ruled out of action after sustaining an injury prior to the start of the tour. It will be massive shoes to fill as the Irish look for a quick and effective replacement.

Pakistan

Coming into the Ireland encounter, Pakistan is on a high following the 2-2 draw in the Test series against England. However, skipper Azhar Ali will only know all too well that the shorter format of the game is an entirely different ball game. The fact that they will be welcoming back some of their limited overs’ specialists is also a much-needed shot in the arm for the visitors.

The spotlight as far as Pakistan is concerned will be on veterans Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, and the irresistible Umar Gul. Having made peace with the fact that he would not play cricket for Pakistan again, it is now clear that Gul will have his second bite at the cherry.

Playing XI (Probable)

Ireland: William Porterfield (C), Stuart Poynter (WK), Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce, John Anderson, Kevin O’Brien, Gary Wilson, Tim Murtagh, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Craig Young

Pakistan: Azhar Ali (C), Sarfraz Ahmed (WK), Sami Aslam, Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Umar Gul, Yasir Shah, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir

Ireland v Pakistan, 1st ODI: Live streaming:

StAttack

1. William Porterfield requires just 9 runs to complete 2600 runs in ODI cricket. Moreover, the fact that he is Ireland’s top run-getter makes it all the more special.

2. Wahab Riaz requires 6 wickets to complete 100 ODI wickets.

3. In the current side, Shoaib Malik is both the highest run-getter with 6129 runs and the highest number of wickets with 151 wickets to his name.

4. Of the 7 matches played at The Village in Malahide, Ireland has won just two of these matches. Pakistan has never played a match at this venue yet. They will become the second Asian nation to play here after Sri Lanka two months earlier.