World Twenty20, 2009

When these teams last met, in the 2007World Cup, Ireland pulled off one of the game's greatest upsets, only for the result to be lost next morning in the turmoil surrounding the death of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer. This game proved less eventful, with Younis Khan's team confirming a place in the semi-finals with what eventually became a straightforward win. Although a third defeat in the Super Eights spelled elimination, Ireland remained competitive, especially in the field, scampering and chasing as athletically as any side they played. With the ball, too, they gave nothing away. In a masterclass of short-of-a-length bowling Rankin yielded just 11 runs; only Ajantha Mendis, who conceded nine in the semi-final against West Indies, managed a more miserly four overs. Rankin helped restrict the total to 159, but Ireland's modest batting and Pakistan's strong attack - this time it was Saeed Ajmal who led the way - ensured that was plenty. Kamran Akmal cemented his place as an opener with a steady fifty, and made two more stumpings, taking his total in the tournament to seven.