Ireland having tied against Zimbabwe were confident but still underdogs against Pakistan. But on a green-top and against a brittle Pakistan batting they gifted their fans a perfect surprise on their national day. Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer was right in terming the match a "serious banana skin fixture" as Pakistan slipped badly and crashed out of the World Cup. As if the ignominy was not enough, the coach himself was found dead the night after the match in mysterious circumstances. It was double death for Pakistan on that horrific day in their cricket history.
After losing badly against the West Indies, Pakistan had to win this match to remain in the world cup while Ireland had a chance of qualifying for the super eight stage in their first World Cup. Trent Johnston asked Pakistan to bat under murky conditions and on a grassy wicket. This in fact evened out the contest a bit as early morning moisture also meant Pakistan batters would have to bat against the odds.
Dave Langford-Smith accounted for Mohammad Hafeez in the very first over with a classical away-swinger. Same bowler had a chance to catch Imran Nazir in his next over but the ferocious drive was too hot for him to grab. Younis Khan went for a duck caught behind off lanky Boyd Rankin who was moving the ball both ways and was getting extra bounce. Imran and Mohammad Yousuf steadied the ship by scoring 41 runs between them but Yousuf who had played two delicious shots for four played an uppish drive off Johnston which was snatched at backward point. But the wicket that caused horrors in the dressing room was that of Inzamam who nicked behind off Andre Botha for a duck to leave Pakistan wobbling at 58 for 4.
The agony deepened further in a matter of few overs as Imran (24 off 51) and Shoaib Malik fell one after the other making it 72 for 6 in the 21st over. Kamran Akmal was the only batsman who looked assured at the crease as he played every ball on merit but he needed an able partner at the other end which he did not get comfort of. Rankin came back and removed Azhar Mahmood who skied a catch to Johnston. Johnston then took a spectacular running catch to dismiss well-set Akmal in the same over. Kamran made 27 off 47 balls with 4 fours. His dismissal meant Pakistan fall well short of a reasonable total to defend. After a 25-run partnership between Sami and Rao Iftikhar for the 9th wicket, they were eventually dismissed for a paltry 132 in the 46th over. Extras were the top score with 29. Rankin was the best bowler who broke the back of Pakistan batting taking 3 for 32 while Botha and spinner Kyle McCallan bagged 2 wickets each.
It was a stunning show by the Irish on the St Patrick's Day. Their jubilant fans were over the moon waiting anxiously for their team’s turn to bat while Pakistan’s dressing room was in gloom just like the overhead sky. Pakistan needed early wickets which they got through an irate Mohammad Sami who trapped both Jeremy Bray and Eoin Morgan LBW. Bray was a touch unlucky to be given out. At 15 for 2 Ireland were in a spot of bother but wicket-keeper Niall O’Brien dug deep and denied Pakistan any immediate breakthrough. William Porterfield who was playing an extra-ordinary dogged innings was beautifully clean-bowled by Hafeez at the score of 62. He made 13 in 50 balls but helped Ireland rebuild after the fall of two quick wickets. He enjoyed a fair bit of luck as he got reprieved twice when he was plumb in front and was also dropped by Hafeez. Hafeez then caught Botha off Sami although the ball has missed the bat. At 81 for four after 27.3 Overs, players trudged off due to rain with D/L scenario in Ireland’s favor.
Ireland had a revised target of 128 Runs in 47 overs when the play resumed. Pakistan needed to remove O’Brian who was playing innings of his life but he was solid in defense as well as assuring in his stroke play whenever an opportunity arose. As the light was not good they took the batting powerplay in the 30th over. He hit a couple of lovely fours but was stumped a ball after he had dispatched Shoaib Malik for a huge six. His match-winning innings of 72 off 107 balls included 6 fours and a six. They just needed 20 runs from 13 overs and had 5 wickets in hand. Pakistan could not sneak through the slightest of opening that was created because of O’Brian’s dismissal. Andrew White and McCallan went cheaply thanks to Rao’s swing bowling But Niall’s brother Kevin O’Brian (16*) and captain Johnston made sure Ireland reach home safely despite a last-ditch effort by a resurgent Pakistan. Johnston hit Azhar on the 4th ball of the 42nd over for a massive six over long on to win this historical match for his team in a spectacular fashion. For Pakistan Sami (3/29) and Rao (2/29) bowled well but not well enough to stop their team going down to a minnow. Niall O’Brian was named man of the match for his stanch batting display but it was their bowling that made them pull off this wonderful upset.
Deep into the darkness of the night after this heart-breaking loss, Pakistan’s sorrow and disappointment turned into misery when they heard with disbelief the nerve-wrecking news of the death of their much-loved coach Bob Woolmer. They had lost the World Cup and their coach on the same day and if it were not enough they were left to face the possibility of an extended legal enquiry and certainly unending questions from their fans back home. There were calls for the heads to roll as well as prayers for the safe return of the stranded players in the West Indies. The sad demise of Woolmer had devastated the players and fans alike. He did not live long enough to see the dark era which had descended on Pakistan cricket on that dreadful day in Jamaica and which was to last for the next few years.
Published ion SportPulse.net
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