Ireland complete clean sweep of Pakistan women

Ireland today completed a 3-0 'greenwash' in their one-day series with Pakistan. Sometimes the scoreboard doesn't tell the full story, but today at Sydney Parade on Dublin's south-side it certainly did.

After being sent in by Pakistan captain Shaiza Khan, the Irish women set about re-writing the record books. After the loss of opener O'Leary for 5, Karen Young and Catriona Beggs assisted by some sloppy Pakistani fielding posted an Irish women's record second wicket partnership of 182. Beggs was finally dismissed for a hard earned 60, while Young, in only her third international went on to score a national record of 120 runs from only 157 balls.

After Grealey chipped in with a fine cameo innings of 32 not out Ireland finished with an impressive 4 for 269 from their 50 overs. This, judging by Pakistan's form in the sides' two previous encounters at Rush (in north County Dublin), was going to be a difficult task indeed.

Saibh Young made the task more difficult by having Sharmeen Khan caught behind by Beggs with the score on 7. Nazia Nazeer and Kiran Baluch then had a steadying 45 run stand which gave one the impression that the Pakistan team were now using this game as much needed practice for the rest of their tour of Ireland and England. The resistance was short-lived however, and with Nazeer and Baluch both falling in their 20s the middle order failed to make any impact. 2/52 quickly became 3/61, 4/72, 5/89 and 6/103. Twelve year old Sajjida Shah hit a couple of bright boundaries before falling for 10.

The final nails in Pakistan's coffin were nailed in by Barbara McDonald, whose accurate medium pace, which had been economical against the top order proved un-playable by the tail. Only a whisker away from claiming a hat-trick, McDonald cleaned bowled the last four Pakistani batters in quick succession to finish with impressive figures of 4 wickets for eight runs off 6.4 overs.

Ireland won the game by 150 runs.

The Pakistan women have a lot of work ahead of them if they are to be competitive in the four day 'test' at College Park in Dublin's city centre, starting Sunday.