Ireland’s cricket team has had limited encounters with Pakistan in international cricket, but they have delivered some notable performances, particularly in major tournaments like the ICC Cricket World Cup. Ireland’s victories over Pakistan have been memorable, especially considering Ireland’s relatively recent rise as a competitive force in international cricket. Here’s a look at how many times Ireland has beaten Pakistan in cricket and the context of those victories.
1. The Famous 2007 World Cup Victory
The most iconic moment in Ireland’s cricket history, and arguably their most significant win over Pakistan, came during the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup. This match, played on March 17, 2007, in Jamaica, saw Ireland upset Pakistan in a thrilling group-stage encounter.
In that match, Ireland bowled first and dismissed Pakistan for just 132 runs, with Boyd Rankin and Trent Johnston leading the bowling attack. Pakistan’s renowned batting lineup, which included players like Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf, faltered against Ireland’s spirited bowling performance. Ireland chased down the target, despite some nervous moments, and won the match by three wickets. This victory was significant for several reasons:
– It knocked Pakistan out of the World Cup in the group stage.
– It marked Ireland’s rise on the world cricket stage as a giant killer in their first World Cup appearance.
– It was also a tragic moment in Pakistan’s cricket history, as their coach, Bob Woolmer, tragically passed away shortly after the match.
2. Second Win: 2013 ODI Series
Ireland faced Pakistan again in 2013 during a two-match One Day International (ODI) series. While Pakistan won the series 1-0, the second ODI ended in a dramatic tie. This series highlighted Ireland’s growing ability to compete with stronger cricketing nations like Pakistan.
In the second match of the series, Ireland posted a score of 229 for 9 in their 50 overs, with a fine century from Kevin O’Brien. Pakistan struggled in the chase but managed to tie the game, thanks to a half-century from Kamran Akmal. While this wasn’t a victory, the tie demonstrated Ireland’s competitiveness against top-tier teams.
3. World Cup 2015 Encounter
Ireland and Pakistan met again in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, but this time Pakistan got the better of Ireland. In the group-stage match, played on March 15, 2015, Pakistan bowled out Ireland for 237 runs, with Sarfraz Ahmed leading the way for Pakistan with an unbeaten century. Pakistan comfortably chased down the target, winning by 7 wickets, thus avenging their 2007 World Cup defeat.
Summary of Ireland’s Wins Against Pakistan
Ireland has beaten Pakistan once in official international matches, which came in the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup. Although Ireland hasn’t secured many victories against Pakistan in the limited matches they’ve played, their 2007 World Cup win remains a historic and monumental achievement in Irish cricket history. Additionally, Ireland’s tie in 2013 further exemplified their potential to challenge established cricketing nations on the world stage.
As Ireland continues to develop as a cricketing nation, future encounters with Pakistan could bring more thrilling contests.