DUBLIN, Ireland: The Confident Pakistan beat Ireland in the first one day international (ODI) at Dublin on Thursday by 255 runs, green shirts’ largest ever victory margin in terms of runs in 50-over game.
Some exceptional individual performances, first by Sharjeel Khan with the bat and then Imad Wasim with the ball, helped Pakistan clinched victory in first match of the two-match series by a huge margin.
While batting first after losing the toss, Pakistan scored 337 runs for 6 in 47 overs. The match was reduced to 47 overs per side after it began late due to wet outfield.
The opener Sharjeel Khan played a brilliant inning and scored 152 runs with 9 sixes and 14 fours. He scored the third fastest 150 runs in 85 balls after South African AB de Villiers’ 150 runs in 64 balls and Australian Shane Watson’s 150 in 83 balls.
Sharjeel Khan also completed his century in 61 balls, the fourth fastest by a Pakistani player. The record of first three fastest centuries by a Pakistani is owned by Shahid Afridi.
The second highest scorer for Pakistan in today’s match was Shoaib Malik who scored unbeaten 57 runs. Muhammad Nawaz, who made his ODI debut for Pakistan along with Hasan Ali, also scored 53 runs.
In reply, Ireland were all out for only 82 runs. Pakistan’s Imad Wasim picked up 5 wickets while Umar Gul, who made his ODI comeback after over a year, took 3 wickets.
The second ODI between the two teams will take place at the same venue on Saturday. PTV Sports will telecast the match live from 02:45 PST.
