ICC World Cup 2015: Pakistan vs Ireland - As it happened...

New Delhi: Sarfraz Ahmed led Pakistan's charge with a ton as the Asian giants beat Ireland by seven wickets. Wahab Riaz earlier bowled well and claimed three wickets.

TWEET REACTION!

Well done @TheRealPCB on beating @Irelandcricket and qualifying for the Q/F v @CricketAus .. Can't wait huge game @cricketworldcup #cwc15 — Damien Martyn (@dmartyn30) March 15, 2015

Pakistan beat Ireland by seven wickets to qualify for quarters alongside West Indies. Pak will face Australia in the quarters at the Adelaide Oval.

OVERS 46.1// RUNS 241/ WICKETS 3

Umar Akmal finishes the scenes for Pakistan with a attacking shot over mid-on for four. That's it, Pak win the game.

OVERS 46// RUNS 237/ WICKETS 3

SARFRAZ GETS HIS MAIDEN ODI CAREER TON!

Dockrell is handed the ball as Sarfraz faces him. He hits through towards long-on but doesn't take a run. He finally gets his ton after hitting a boundary over midwicket. Two balls are then defended. Why are Pak playing so defensively?

OVERS 45// RUNS 233/ WICKETS 3

Sarfraz faces and Mooney starts with a wide. He still needs four runs for his 100. He gets a run though after placing a ball towards long-on. Akmal defends a full toss. How long will Pak take to finish the game? Will Sarfraz get to his 100? Akmal defends a straight ball solidly. He wants Sarfraz to get his 100 but when? Another ball is defended. He leaves alone the next ball outside the off stump.

OVERS 44// RUNS 231/ WICKETS 3

Sarfraz pulls and gets a single. He wanted a second but was sent back. Umar defends the ball towards the mid-on fielder. The next ball is left alone. A wide is bowled next down the leg side. Akmal gets a single from the fourth ball. Sarfraz runs the ball towards third man and gets a run. The last ball is defended.

OVERS 43// RUNS 227/ WICKETS 3

Umar hits a big shot for four over mid-on and then defends the slower ball. Another slower ball straight at him and he defends that solidly. Same goes for the next ball.

OVERS 42// RUNS 223/ WICKETS 3

Umar defends the first three balls and then pulls a slower ball bouncer and gets a run. A wide follows next down the leg side. Sarfraz needs six runs to complete his ton. He plays it straight to the bowler. Another ball is defended through the on side.

OVERS 41// RUNS 221/ WICKETS 3

Umar Akmal pulls a ball and places it towards mid-on for four. He gets a run off the next ball. Sarfraz pulls one and gets a single. Umar pulls again and finds the gap through midwicket for a four. A single comes next and 11 runs come from the over.

OVERS 40// RUNS 210/ WICKETS 3

Sarfraz is eyeing a maiden World Cup ton here. He gets a brace off the second ball after a pull shot. He digs out a full yorker ball outside the off stump. A shot through to mid-on but there was no run. The next ball is played straight to point.

OVERS 39// RUNS 208/ WICKETS 3

Cusack bowls and Misbah defends from the crease. A short ball is bowled and a wide is signalled. Misbah then plays on and the ball hits the stumps. Cusack gets a wicket. He departs for 39 runs. Oh well replays show it was hit wicket as the pak skipper goes back and tries to work and his right leg hit the stumps. Umar is the new man in and three balls are defended.

Misbah-ul-Haq b Cusack 39 (46b)

OVERS 38// RUNS 207/ WICKETS 2

Sarfraz works the ball through deep midwicket and gets a brace. One wide run comes after a drift down the leg side. Misbah cuts and gets a four before getting a single to keep strike.

OVERS 37// RUNS 198// WICKETS 2

Sarfraz goes for a sweep pull as the short ball goes over his head. Another attempt of a pull and misses the ball outside off stump. A short and wide ball and Sarfraz delicately plays it fine for a four. He times once more and gets another superb boundary. A single is taken after playing it quickly to mid-on.

OVERS 36// RUNS 187// WICKETS 2

Misbah defends the first ball towards the leg side. He then steers the next ball towards third man area for a single. Sarfraz pulls through midwicket for a single. Kevin O'Brien gifts a full toss and Misbah slogs that for a six.

OVERS 35// RUNS 178// WICKETS 2

Mooney bowls and Sarfraz misses it as the keeper collects. Next ball is played on the on side and its a dot ball. Sarfraz then finds the mid-on fielder. Good line from Mooney, Sarfraz doesn't have footwork and misses the ball. Another dot ball follows as he finds the point fielder. The final ball is played on to the mid-on fielder.

OVERS 34// RUNS 178// WICKETS 2

Ireland need wickets in a flurry as Pak are cruising along. Three runs come from K'O Brien's over.

FANS!

The large Irish contingent in the crowd still believe! They're singing to the very end here #PAKvIRE #cwc15 https://t.co/hJixQAKCK5 — ICC (@ICC) March 15, 2015

OVERS 33// RUNS 175// WICKETS 2

Cusack bowls and concedes four runs from the over. Pakistan look comfortable at the moment. Mooney is back with the ball and Sarfraz hits straight to the mid-off fielder. The keeper is standing upfront and Mooney drifts down the leg side and three byes are taken alongside a wide. Keeper goes back and Misbah hits straight to covers. Ireland have disappointed today. Misbah defends the next two balls. Wide ball and beautifully placed by Misbah for a four. The last ball is a dot.

OVERS 31// RUNS 163// WICKETS 2

Misbah slogs one for a maximum over midwicket region. Dockrell concedes nine runs.

OVERS 30// RUNS 154// WICKETS 2

150 RUNS COME UP FOR PAK!

Pakistan have lost two wickets in the form of Shehzad and Sohail. Shehzad made a decent 63 runs while Sohail was run out for a paltry three runs. Misbah is out in the middle and is batting alongside Sarfraz who has looked good so far. He is on 69 runs. Pak are leading the run chase and will fancy a big victory.

FANS CELEBRATE STRONG PAK START!

A strong start by the Pakistan batsmen and the fans love it! #cwc15 #PAKvIRE https://t.co/2LrktHx0na — Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 15, 2015

OVERS 15// RUNS 89// WICKETS 0

Pakistan are sailing along right now. Cusack comes back to bowl and Shehzad works the ball towards third man and gets a run. Four more singles follow.

OVERS 14// RUNS 84// WICKETS 0

Three dot balls before Sarfraz punches through midwicket and collects three runs. Shehzad defends the next ball. Shehzad works the ball off his pads and gets three runs. Really poor bowling according to the field placements.

OVERS 13// RUNS 76// WICKETS 0

KJ O'Brien replaces Dockrell and concedes just two runs from the over. Mooney continues and Shehzad plays on the up through the off side for three runs. Sarfraz gets a single from the next ball. Shehzad then gets a brace from the final ball of the over.

OVERS 11// RUNS 70// WICKETS 0

Mooney bowls a full toss and it is hit straight to mid-on. An edge is got off the next ball but there wasn't a first slip.The ball had also hit the keeper's pad. Sarfraz is lucky and get two runs. Three runs come from the next ball as  the batsman pushes through midwicket. A yorker follows and Shehzad digs it out.

OVERS 10// RUNS 65// WICKETS 0

PAK GET OFF TO A GOOD START, 50 ON THE BOARD!

Dockrell comes in to bowl and its spinner that is introduced. Sarfraz sweeps fine and gets a four. Fifty-run partnership come up. Next ball is hit for another four. It was pulled between mid-on and midwicket. He gets a run next before Shehzad gets another four. Classy batting! Another four follows as 17 runs come from the over.

OVERS 9// RUNS 48// WICKETS 0

Thompson to bowl and Sarfraz gets off strike with a sibgle. Shehzad then cuts a ball and gets four runs. The next ball is clipped away for a two. Sarfraz then drives between point and cover to get another boundary. Really good over for the Pakistanis. Mooney continues and Shehzad gets a two working the ball well. The next ball is driven straight to mid-off. Shehzad then gets another brace. Could have run three but decided to stick to two. The next delivery is defended.

OVERS 7// RUNS 28// WICKETS 0

Shehzad gets a single as Sarfraz plays three dot balls. Sarfraz steers a ball into the offside for a single. Shehzad then hits a four through mid-on.

OVERS 6// RUNS 22// WICKETS 0

Mooney bowls and Shehzad defends the ball from the crease. A single is taken in the next ball. Sarfraz is back on strike and the keeper stands upfront not allowing him to go down the track. He misses a straight ball and the keeper fails to hold the ball and they get a bye. Shehzad gets a single before Sarfraz drives past mid-off for a brace.

OVERS 5// RUNS 17// WICKETS 0

Cusack starts with a wide. The next two balls are defended back to the bowler. The keeper is standing close to the stumps. The next ball is played softly on the leg side. Sarfraz then gets a single. Shehzad pushes the ball through the offside and picks three runs. Sarfraz plays it straight through to mid-off fielder and a dot ball ends the over.

OVERS 4// RUNS 12// WICKETS 0

Mooney continues and gives away a wide as the keeper does well to stop it. Sarfraz then gets a single after playing a shot through to third man. Shehzad defends twice before clobbering a loose ball through covers for four.

OVERS 3// RUNS 6// WICKETS 0

Cusack continues and Sarfraz gets a single after playing the ball through long leg region. Shehzad defends two balls before getting a quick single after a shot played as the ball goes to mid-off fielder. Sarfraz gets a single from the last ball with a shot down to fine leg.

OVERS 2// RUNS 3// WICKETS 0

Cusack starts off with the proceedings for Ireland and gets off with a maiden over. Shehzad plays out the entire over. Mooney shares the new ball and Sarfraz shows some intent after getting three runs after punching a shot through wide of mid-on. That's it from the over. Steady start from the Irish.

Pakistan need 238 runs to win from 50 overs.

CAN AFRIDI SHINE TODAY AND SEE PAK THROUGH?

Shahid Afridi interviewed at half time, He's confident of chasing the total down & advancing to quarter finals #cwc15 pic.twitter.com/CzLhmBpEQG — ICC (@ICC) March 15, 2015

CELEBRATIONS!

Pakistan fans cheer the final wicket! #cwc15 #PAKvIRE https://t.co/ZwccWcWiYE — Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 15, 2015

OVERS 50// RUNS 237// WICKETS 10

Two singles come before Mooney slices one through point for four. Another couple comes through point region. Eight runs come from the over. Mooney departs after Riaz gets his man. A catch was offered to short midwicket and Akmal gets his fourth catch. Dockrell then hits a six. In the last ball Dockrell gets run out after a direct hit did him in. Ireland are all out.

GH Dockrell run out 11 (8b)

JF Mooney c Umar Akmal b Wahab Riaz 13

OVERS 48// RUNS 221// WICKETS 8

Wahab continues and Brien departs as Maqsood takes the catch. A short ball and he wanted to pull the ball but it takes an edge and finds the fielder at midwicket. Three singles follow with Mooney and Dockrell rotating the strike. A decent running between the wickets sees the batsmen pick two runs.

KJ O'Brien c Sohaib Maqsood b Wahab Riaz 8 (16b)

OVERS 47// RUNS 216// WICKETS 7

Ireland scamper for a close run from Khan's first ball. A full inswinging yorker follows and Brien defends. The batsman then gets a much needed boundary. He swings at a full ball after making a bit of space. He goes short and Brien who tries to swing the bat, misses the ball. He hammers the final ball and the fielder at deep square leg misses to hold on. Six runs come from the over. Ireland need more boundaries. He

OVERS 46// RUNS 210// WICKETS 7

Wahab bowls and the first ball is defended by Mooney. The next ball is a slower one and Mooney gives a catch back to the bowler but Wahab misses to hold on. Two dot deliveries follow and under these circumstances it is gold for the Asian team. A close run is taken in the fifth ball of the over. A bouncer follows. Amazing bowling from Wahab here.

OVERS 45// RUNS 209// WICKETS 7

Sohail continues to do the good job and has a strong mentality with added aggression. Four runs come from the over. Mooney and Brien need some runs here.

OVERS 44// RUNS 205// WICKETS 7

Ali bowls and two singles come from the first two balls. Thompson then gets a four after placing the ball fine between slips and third-man area. Ali then gets his wicket. A short ball and the batsman gets a leading edge and a catch is taken at short cover. Pakistan continue to take wickets.

SR Thompson c Umar Akmal b Rahat Ali 12 (15b)

OVERS 43// RUNS 198// WICKETS 6

Riaz starts off well and gets two dot balls straightaway. Thompson and Brien then get a single each. Thompson then caresses through the covers and the batsmen run for a brace. A run comes off the last ball.

OVERS 42// RUNS 193// WICKETS 6

Rahat bowls a tidy over and hasn't let Ireland get any easy runs. Three singles come from the over.

OVERS 41// RUNS 190// WICKETS 6

SOHAIL STRIKES AGAIN!

The first ball is reviewed by Ireland after an appeal for a LBW was given. It had got the inside edge. The next ball is bouncer and is called a wide. Sohail then gets his 2nd wicket of the game after getting Wilson out. He wanted to place it towards third man boundary but found the fielder. Kevin O'Brien is the new batsman. Good over for Pakistan.

GC Wilson c Wahab Riaz b Sohail Khan 29 (38b)

OVERS 40// RUNS 188// WICKETS 5

Afridi is in his last over and Wilson gets a vital boundary off the third ball after a superb cut shot. A single follows with a shot through to point.

IRELAND FANS CELEBRATE PORTERFIELD'S TON EARLIER!

Watch how the Ireland fans reacted to Porterfield's ton! #cwc15 #PAKvIRE https://t.co/YHgwh7PWLK — Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 15, 2015

OVERS 39// RUNS 183// WICKETS 5

PORTERFIELD DEPARTS AFTER A SPLENDID 100!

William Porterfield got to his hundred. It was a splendid innings. Gary Wilson is the other man batting well. Sohail Khan gets his man this time after the centurion gets a top edge and Afridi takes a catch. Fifth wicket down for Ireland. Interesting phase for Pakistan.

WTS Porterfield c Shahid Afridi b Sohail Khan 107 (131b)

OVERS 24// RUNS 113// WICKETS 3

28 runs have come from the last seven overs. Porterfield is batting brilliantly and has raced to 74 runs. Ehsan and Afridi is bowling in tandom.

OVERS 17// RUNS 85// WICKETS 3

A run comes off the third ball of Rahat's over as Porterfield gets off strike. NJ O'Brien then goes for a drive but finds Akmal at short cover. Balbirnie comes in and gets a brace off the last ball through towards point.

NJ O'Brien c Umar Akmal b Rahat Ali 12 (10b

OVERS 16// RUNS 85// WICKETS 2

PORTERFIELD GETS TO HIS FIFTY!

Nine runs come from Rahat's over with a four off the last ball hit by Porterfield. NJ O'Brien then pulls Riaz through midwicket for a four. Seven runs come from the over. Ireland are gaining some momentum here. Porterfield then fends Afridi towards deep cover-point for a boundary. Three singles too are taken. Nice batting from Porterfield.

OVERS 13// RUNS 62// WICKETS 2

An inside edge to fine leg sees Porterfield get a brace. He then gets a single. Joyce then goes back to the hut after being late into the shot and edges straight to square cover fielder. Riaz gets his 12th wicket in the World Cup. NJ O'Brien comes in and gets a couple after playing the ball towards third man area. He then hits a drive towards mid-off for four.

EC Joyce c Umar Akmal b Wahab Riaz 11 (18b)

OVERS 12// RUNS 53// WICKETS 1

Rahat continues and there is an appeal against Joyce of a caught behind. Umpire isn't interested but Pak review and replays show that the bat hits his pad before the ball goes past to the keeper. The next two balls are defended. A flick is hit and a run comes out from it.

OVERS 11// RUNS 51// WICKETS 1

FIFTY COMES UP FOR IRELAND!

Riaz bowls and Joyce pushes one towards mid-on. Porterfield takes a single from the next ball. Sarfraz takes a good grab off a short wide ball and saved a certain boundary. A flick shot is played straight to the mid-on fielder. Four runs come from the over.

OVERS 10// RUNS 47// WICKETS 1

Joyce defends the first ball before picking up a single after playing a shot through to third man. The next ball is punched towards the mid-off before defending to the same region next. One run comes from the over.

OVERS 9// RUNS 46// WICKETS 1

Wahab comes into bowl and starts off poorly with a wide. The next ball is defended towards the off side. Riaz is hit by Porterfield past short cover for a four. The next ball is again hit for a four. This is good batting from the Irish skipper. Two singles follow after that.

OVERS 8// RUNS 35// WICKETS 1

JOYCE DROPPED BY SHEHZAD!

Rahat Ali replaces Ehsan and he will be the player his skipper will look up to. The first ball is defended towards the leg side. The next ball is short and Joyce cuts and finds Shehzad wrong footed and he misses to hold on to a catch going to his right. A run is taken. Joyce hits a shot straight to the mid-off fielder. Another short ball and the Irish skipper pulls the ball towards the boundary. He gets a single from the last ball.

OVERS 7// RUNS 29// WICKETS 1

Sohail continues and a run is taken from the first ball faced by Joyce. Porterfield middles the ball but finds the fielder at covers. Another smack through the off side and it is saved by Akmal. Porterfield pulls and clears the boundary for a maximum. Excellent shot from the batsman. The next ball is defended. He is the key here for Ireland.

OVERS 6// RUNS 22// WICKETS 1

The first ball is defended towards point. The next ball sees Afridi makes a decent save in the off side. The bowler has been warned for running on the pitch. Afridi is electric again and dives to save another run for his team. Porterfield then pulls Ehsan for a four towards the square leg boundary.

OVERS 5// RUNS 16// WICKETS 1

A cover drive is hit off Sohail's bowling and Umar makes a great save. Another good shot but its straight to the fielder at cover. A short-cover is placed and Porterfield gets a run after placing the ball through the leg side. Joyce then plays straight to covers. The last ball is left alone.

OVERS 4// RUNS 15// WICKETS 1

EHSAN STRIKES FOR PAK!

Ehsan bowls it straight and Stirling defends back to him. The next ball is also pitched on the same line and is defended from the crease. Ehsan then gets the breakthrough for Pakistan, another straight ball a bit of swing and Stirling goes for the flick and is adjudged LBW after an appeal. Big boost for the bowler here given its his first World Cup match and that too a crucial one. Ed Joyce is the new man in and defends the first two balls. Good rhythm here from Ehsan. A cover drive is hit and Joyce gets a four.

PR Stirling lbw b Ehsan Adil 3 (8b)

OVERS 3// RUNS 11// WICKETS 0

Stirling defends the first ball towards the leg side. The next delivery is pushed wide of mid-off and a couple is taken. He gets a single to give the strike to his skipper. He plays a shot straight to cover. Good pitch to bat on here at the Adelaide Oval. The last ball is defended.

OVERS 2// RUNS 8// WICKETS 0

Ehsan is the new bowler and it is his first match of the World Cup. Porterfield defends towards mid-on before leaving a delivery outside off stump. A wide ball is bowled next. The Irish skipper then slaps a ball over midwicket for four. It was a juicy short ball. Nerves will get here for Ehsan and it's a big test. Another short ball and a brace is collected by Porterfield after a pull shot. The last ball is left alone.

OVERS 1// RUNS 1// WICKETS 0

Sohail Khan starts off with the proceedings and there is a big hint of swing from the start. The batsman defends the first ball. The next ball beats the outside edge, it was close. The next two balls are left alone well before Porterfield works the ball off his hips for a single. Stirling defends the final ball from the crease.

ANTHEMS!

Anthems in Adelaide, the tension is palpable in what could turn out to be a winner takes all clash #PAKvIRE #cwc15 pic.twitter.com/D0r0vBHoCk — ICC (@ICC) March 15, 2015

WARM UP PREP!

Final warm up preparations here in Adelaide for both teams #PAKvIRE #cwc15 https://t.co/iupXpXuxck — ICC (@ICC) March 15, 2015

Ireland have won the toss and have opted to bat.

Teams from:

Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed(w), Ahmed Shehzad, Haris Sohail, Misbah-ul-Haq(c), Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali, Ehsan Adil

Ireland: William Porterfield(c), Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce, Niall O'Brien, Andrew Balbirnie, Gary Wilson(w), Kevin O'Brien, John Mooney, Stuart Thompson, Alex Cusack, George Dockrell

It's now or never for both the 1992 champions and giant-killers Ireland in the final pool game of the tournament. Pakistan will start as the obvious favourites thanks to their pedigree and experience, but the clash in Adelaide will be decided on which team performs better on the day.

Pakistan have resurrected their campaign with wins over South Africa, West Indies and the United Arab Emirates, but they will still need their main players to perform to beat Ireland. The likes of Shahid Afridi, Sarfraz Ahmed and captain Misbah-ul-Haq will need to back their bowling unit.

For Ireland, once again, they will hunt as a group. But the brilliance of Ed Joyce, O`Brien brothers, Paul Stirling and the captain William Porterfield can not be discounted.

Ireland Squad

William Porterfield(captain), Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce, Gary Wilson(wicket-keeper), Niall O'Brien, Andrew Balbirnie, Kevin O'Brien, John Mooney, George Dockrell, Max Sorensen, Craig Young, Alex Cusack, Peter Chase, Stuart Thompson, Andy McBrine

Pakistan Squad

Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Ehsan Adil, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Irfan, Nasir Jamshed, Rahat Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), Shahid Afridi, Sohaib Maqsood, Sohail Khan, Umar Akmal (wicket-keeper), Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Younis Khan