Pakistan thrash Ireland

Ireland's hopes of convincing the International Cricket Council they are deserving of a World Cup place were undermined by a thumping seven-wicket defeat to Pakistan in a rain-affected first one-day international in Belfast.

Ireland were bowled out for just 96, with young left-armer Junaid Khan claiming career-best figures of 4-12, before the tourists eased past the total with 51 balls to spare.

The defeat was as one-sided as it was untimely for the Irish just a month before an ICC chief executive committee is due to discuss the possibility of overturning a decision to omit the associate countries from the next World Cup in 2015.

They were bowled out for their lowest total since Australia skittled them for 91 at the 2007 World Cup, may have left them with some convincing left to do in Monday's final game of the short series.

Ireland could, however, claim they lost an important toss after 21-year-old Junaid, who had only taken three wickets in his young international career before today, revelled on a Stormont wicket that offered the seamers plenty of assistance after rain had delayed the start by just over three hours.

The home batsmen hardly helped their own cause, though, as they surprisingly opted to play their shots despite the conditions.

That strategy initially paid dividends when nuggety opener Paul Stirling thrashed 39 from 22 balls, but when he became Junaid's first victim the wickets fell at regular intervals thereafter.

Junaid next skittled Alex Cusack's stumps before he had scored, while Umar Gul found skipper William Porterfield's edge.

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Ireland's star man at the World Cup Kevin O'Brien showed signs he was intent on following Stirling's lead with a couple of muscled strikes, but his stumps were also sent cartwheeling by Junaid before he found full flow.

And when Junaid then located Andrew White's edge next ball Ireland found themselves deep in trouble at 66 for six before the rain arrived again.

That offered the hosts a 20-minute reprieve, but with their top order having already succumbed in the hour beforehand, the wickets continued to fall and Saeed Ajmal cleaned up the tail to finish with three for seven as Ireland last only 20 of the rain-reduced 36 overs.

Pakistan's openers Taufeeq Umar and Mohammad Hafeez took a cautious approach to the chase, which straddled the lunch break after Ireland's early demise.

The pair took until the 15th over to bring up the 50 with their only moment of concern before when Taufeeq edged Trent Johnston to Stirling at first slip, only for a no-ball to be called.

Ireland did finally get a breakthrough, albeit with just 22 required, when Taufeeq again offered a low chance to Stirling at slip off Cusack to depart for a laboured 23 from 62 balls.

Hafeez brought up his half-century soon after, with his seventh four, but fell next ball bowled by Cusack who then also picked up Asad Shafiq to finish with three for 13.

That left it to skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and veteran Younus Khan to guide the tourists home with plenty of time to spare.

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Ireland could get World Cup 2015 reprieve after ICC president calls for executive board to reconsider changes

At the end of the recent World Cup, the ICC announced the next tournament in New Zealand and Australia would feature just ten teams, made up entirely of the world governing body’s full member nations. The associate teams such as Ireland and Holland were told they would not be able to take part in the World Cup until 2019 at the earliest when a qualification system would be put in place.

The decision was heavily criticised and the ICC has reacted by announcing it will look again at the structure of the next competition with the option of expanding the tournament to 12 teams, which would include two associates, a strong possibility.

“It is encouraging that the president has reopened this issue but there is still a way to go,” said Warren Deurtom, chief executive of Cricket Ireland.

“This is a positive step but we're cautious about it because it is the same 10 people having the same debate about the same issues. We (the 95 associate and affiliate members) have asked to assist in that process and requested for our elected representatives to meet the ICC president and/or the vice-president to put our case, so that they can see the strength of our resolve on this matter.

"There is a long way to go and it is down to how much momentum can be kept up, either through the media or through the public, who have been strong and unanimous in their views."

The decision will be discussed at the ICC’s annual general meeting in Hong Kong at the end of June but the associate nations were given hope when Sharad Pawar, the president of the ICC, said, “I have given this matter further serious thought and will request the board to consider this topic once more. I can understand the views of the Associates and Affiliates and ICC will seek to deal with this issue in the best way possible.”

Ireland spearheaded a campaign for the ICC to overturn the decision after producing the shock result of the last World Cup when they beat England in Bangalore by recording the highest ever run chase in the tournament’s history.

Cricket Ireland has grown significantly over the past four years since the team made its first big impression by beating Pakistan at the 2007 World Cup.

There have been significant moves in recent months to cut the 50 over World Cup from its recent level of 14 teams. That move was expected by the associate nations but what caused anger and resentment was the decision not to include a qualification process for the 2015 competition, which would have at least given them a glimmer of a chance of reaching the tournament proper.

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Cricket Ireland consider legal action after ICC World Cup snub

The move to trim the 2015 World Cup to ten teams - made up entirely of the full member nations of the ICC - is a severe blow for Ireland who have grown as a cricket nation over the past five years.

Their humbling of England in Bangalore and the fact they have been ranked at number ten in the ICC world rankings for most of the last four years - ahead of full member nation Zimbabwe - has increased the sense of outrage in Ireland.

“Clearly this demonstrates that there are no sporting principles being discussed at the board table, it's purely about money and the protection of privilege. We think it's a disgraceful decision," said Warren Deutrom, Cricket Ireland chief executive.

“Some action is definitely required. What way, shape or form that will take, it's difficult to say but action will come. We are simply going to have to examine all the possibilities.”

Ireland victory over Pakistan in the 2007 World Cup was a springboard for the country’s cricketing authorities to become more professional and attract sponsorship deals.

This summer they are due to play Pakistan in two one-day matches and England in Dublin on Aug 25 but without the carrot of a World Cup they fear sponsors and support from the Irish government will drain away at a time when the country is in the middle of a dire financial crisis.

“There was a discussion with one of the government agencies before the World Cup when a 10-team event was possible and he said why should we support when your own sport don't and it's a strong point,” said Deutrom.

Last year Ireland tentatively began the process of applying for Test status which would grant them full voting rights within the ICC. That ambition looks to have been killed by this move.

Ireland are not the only casualties from the fall out of the World Cup with Kumar Sangakarra resigning as Sri Lanka’s one-day captain.

Sangakarra has offered to stay on as captain of the Test team for the tour to England in May and June and will continue to play all three formats of the game for Sri Lanka.

His decision came 48 hours after his team were beaten by India in the World Cup final, their second successive defeat in the final. Tillakaratne Dilshan and Angelo Mathews are likely successors.

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