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O'Brien the toast of Ireland
Niall O'Brien cuts powerfully as he leads Ireland's successful run-chase © Getty Images
Wicket-keeper Niall O’Brien was the hero for Ireland as they celebrated St Patrick’s Day with a famous three-wicket victory over Pakistan in the World Cup in Jamaica.
O’Brien held Ireland’s innings together with a gutsy 72 before he was stumped following an ill-advised charge at Shoaib Malik – but the party started when skipper Trent Johnston heaved Azhar Mahmood high into the Sabina Park stands to finish the game with a six.
The result - arguably the biggest shock in World Cup history - ends Pakistan’s chances of making it beyond the group stages after their opening-day defeat to West Indies.
Boyd Rankin and Andre Botha starred with the ball as Ireland dismissed Pakistan for just 132, with the target eventually reduced to 128 from 47 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis system after rain interrupted Ireland’s reply.
The minnows got off to a poor start as opener Jeremy Bray, who hit an unbeaten century in the victory over Zimbabwe, fell lbw for three to a swinging delivery from Mohammad Sami.
Eoin Morgan perished in similar fashion, trapped in front as he shuffled across his stumps, but William Porterfield and O’Brien concentrated on occupation the crease and chipping away at their target.
Pakistan’s frustration started to show and a Mohammad Yousuf misfield followed by a glorious cut for four from O’Brien turned the momentum in Ireland’s favour.
Porterfield’s obduracy ended when he played on to Mahammad Hafeez, having made 13 off 50 balls, and Botha was taken at short leg off Sami shortly after.
Rain and bad light shaved three overs and five runs off the equation during a brief delay, after which the O’Brien brothers, Niall and Kevin, extended their fifth-wicket partnership to 38.
Niall looked in the mood to finish the game in a hurry when he dispatched Shoaib for a huge six, only to gift Kamran Akmal an easy stumping as he charged recklessly down the pitch. He had been responsible for two thirds of Ireland's total of 108 at the time.
Andre Botha is mobbed after having Inzamam-ul-Haq caught at slip third ball © Getty Images
Rao Iftikhar took advantage of the exposed tail when he removed Andrew White and Kyle McCallan with successive deliveries to leave Ireland seven down with 15 runs needed.
But any worries proved unfounded as Johnston ended the game in glorious fashion with a six over mid-wicket.
Pakistan’s top order again failed to fire after they lost the toss, Hafeez and Younis Khan succumbing cheaply to Dave Langford-Smith and Rankin respectively.
Imran Nazir and Yousuf saw Pakistan past the 50-mark as they threatened to regroup but the impressive Johnston accounted for Yousuf before Botha dismissed Nazir and Inzamam-ul-Haq.
Shoaib became Kevin O'Brien's first victim when Niall took another smart catch behind the stumps.
Akmal’s 27 was Pakistan’s top score but, like Azhar Mahmood, he was caught by Johnston off Rankin after a poorly executed pull.
Ireland wrapped up the innings in professional fashion courtesy of two wickets for McCallan, paving the way for their dramatic chase and momentous victory.
