Ireland Under 19's slumped to an emphatic nine-wicket loss against Pakistan in their second World Cup game in New Zealand to all but end their hopes of qualification for the quarter-finals.
Pakistan paceman Shaheen Afridi blitzed the Ireland batting on his way to figures of 6 for 15 - the best recorded at this level by any of his countrymen.

There was little sign of the carnage to come as Jamie Grassi (13) and Mark Donegan (11) shared an opening stand of 20, but a flurry of wickets saw Ireland reeling at 34 for 4.

Sam Murphy (19) and Neil Rock (8) staged a mini recovery adding 30 for the 5th wicket, with the Rush left-hander showing considerable courage after being struck on the helmet by a bouncer.

However Afridi and Hasan Khan (3-16) sparked another collapse as five wickets fell for just 13 to leave Ireland on the brink at 77 for 9.

Pembroke all-rounder Josh Little thumped an unbeaten 24, but it only allowed the Irish to reach a total of 97.

Pakistan, mindful that NRR could be a factor in qualification, wasted no time in chasing down their meagre target, racing to victory in just 53 balls.

Muhammad Zaid Alam hit 7 fours and a six in an unbeaten 43 from just 19 deliveries, with Rohail Nazir (18) and skipper Hasan Khan (27*) also fluent in a very one-sided affair.

Aaron Cawley (1-27) was the Irish wicket taker, courtesy of a juggling catch by Max Neville.
Skipper Harry Tector reflected on a tough day at the office for the Boys In Green.

"It's been a disappointment today where we just didn't perform to our capabilities," said Tector. "We've not only let ourselves down, but the supporters out here and our country too and that's disappointing.
"I thought that the Pakistan attack and Shaheen in particular bowled quite accurately and didn't let up on us at all. They used their pace attack and the short ball very effectively. I don't think it's a case of us not being able to play or being afraid of the short deliveries, but just that they executed them quite well. 
"We will have learned a lot from this experience and we'll go away and lick our wounds and regroup and come back stronger for the next match against Afghanistan."

Ireland's final group match is on Saturday, when they take on Afghanistan at the same venue.

Ireland U19 v Pakistan U19,  U19 World Cup Group D, Cobham Oval, Whangarei'
Ireland 97 all out (28.5 overs; Josh Little 24*, Sam Murphy 19; Shaheen Shah Afridi 6-15, Hasan Khan 3-16)
Pakistan 98/1 (8.5 overs; Muhammad Zaid Alam 43*, Hasan Khan 27*; Aaron Cawley 1-27)
Pakistan beat Ireland by 9 wickets

Neil Rock | Ireland u19 World Cup 2018

Ireland v Pakistan - Day Four - Stuart Thompson, William Porterfield audio interview

Cricket Ireland Audio - Kevin O'Brien Test Hundred

New Zealand White Ferns in dominant form with 10-wicket win over Ireland Women - Gaby Lewis speaking after the game

Gaby Lewis speaking after the game

New Zealand White Ferns in dominant form with 10-wicket win over Ireland Women - Jacob Oram Audio

Jacob Oram Audio

New Zealand White Ferns set world record total in win over Ireland Women - Beneath blue summer skies, New Zealand captain Suzie Bates won the toss and elected to bat first on a hard, flat pitch that seemed ideal for batting.

Suzie Bates - New Zealand Women

The New Zealand White Ferns have gone 1-0 up against Ireland Women in the three-match Women’s One-Day International series in Dublin, in the process hitting a world record team total for the ODI format (for women or men).

Aaron Hamilton- Ireland's National Women’s Head Coach

Mr. Karun Nair, Member, Indian Cricket Team. He interacted with the media at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Monday, June 11, 2018.

Audio of Mr. Karun Nair, Member, Indian Cricket Team

Audio interview Dinesh Karthik, Member, Indian Cricket Team He speaking with the media at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Tuesday, June 12, 2018.

Audio interview Dinesh Karthik, Member, Indian Cricket Team

Audio interview with Ajinkya Rahane the Indian Cricket Team captain speaking with the media at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Wednesday, June 13, 2018 before the Afghanistan test.

Audio interview with Ajinkya Rahane the Indian Cricket Team captain

Ireland's Captain Gary Wilson spoke after the match. Netherlands Tri-Nation T20I Series at Rotterdam, 13 June 2018

Ireland's Cricket Captain Gary Wilson

Cricket news, radio, and more from international level to grass roots and tournaments such as the Indian Premier League, the World Cup, ICC World Twenty20 and county. Regular podcasts on cricket history, cricket series and breaking news stories.

Cricket World

Popular tracks