Mir leads Pakistan to victory in tight contest

Pakistan Women 141 (Sajjida 52, Richardson 3-19) beat Ireland Women 114 (Joyce 30, Mir 4-10) by 27 runs
Scorecard

Ireland threw away a winning position to crash to a 27-run defeat against Pakistan in a women's one-day international at Castle Avenue. Ireland were coasting at 106 for 4 during their reply, but they lost their last six wickets for eight runs and the last five for two in an eventful 12 balls. Four wickets fell in the 40th over, bowled by Pakistan captain Sana Mir, and two run-outs due to poor calling handed the advantage to the visitors.

Melissa Scott Hayward called for a run and was stranded by a good throw from point and two balls later, Mir bowled her opposite number Heather Whelan. Another run-out followed when Amy Kenealy called Suzanne for an impossible single. Kenealy couldn't survive the last ball, bowled on the backfoot, and an over which started at 112 for 5 ended at 112 for 9. Six balls later, the victory was completed by Javeria Wadood when she trapped Marianne Herbert in front.

The Ireland openers, Claire Shillington and Emma Beamish, fell early but Isobel Joyce and Eimear Richardson added 55 for the third wicket and Richardson then put on another 25 with Jill Whelan to stregthen the chase. Unfortunately all three departed for 20s as Pakistan's sixth, seventh and eighth bowlers proved their secret weapons. Fourth change Javeria bowled eight overs for 14 initially, and weaved her magic later on to finish with 4 for 10.

Having put Pakistan in, the hosts had reduced them to 31 for 3 in the 13th over. However, much like the Ireland innings, Pakistan then enjoyed two major partnerships before losing their last six wickets for 11 runs. Richardson was mainly responsible, returning for a second spell to finish with 3 for 19 although Pakistan contributed to their own downfall with a couple of run-outs.

The teams will next play a tri-series, also involving Nottinghamshire, at Malahide on Thursday and Rathmines on Friday.