Pakistan Vs Ireland: KJ O'Brien once again become a hero

Apart of two players and trophy look at the cloud

25 overs were bowled by spinners in which Saeed Ajmal bowled ten overs where as Malik and Hafeez bowled 6 and 9 overs respectively. Ehsan Adil was counted in the team as third fast bowling option who bowled 3 overs. I haven't seen Shoaib Malik bowling six overs on Indian pitches recently and this time he was asked to do that.

There is no doubt that Irish chase down very well. O'Brien once again become hero against Pakistan for Irish. He scored quick 84 runs and tie the match which was out of expectations.O for Irish.One thing to highlight is that Pakistan team rarely play in a condition where temperature is about 10 degree centigrade in Summer. This normally is the winter season in Sub Continent.

The conditions were worst for Cricket, too much interruption of rain spoil the match momentum. But the decision of hiring Saeed Ajmal for the last over was more worst than the weather. He was failed in the T-20 world Cup in West Indies in which Australia want 17 runs in the last over. Perhaps, Hussey was not present and the over bowled by Ajmal was not too bad, yesterday. He gave only two runs in his first three balls. But, KJ O'Brien was determined and he hit a six and a boundary in the remaining balls and tie the match. I believe Pakistan is the only team in the world who is bowling with a spinner in depth overs despite the presence of Ehasn Adil. Saeed Ajmal is really a gifted spinner with numerous qualities but its just the captain who demanded too much from him.

The good news from the match was Pakistan middle order didn't collapse and was steady in whole match. Asad Shafiq scored 84 runs which is currently the highest runs he has scored in an ODI match. Muhammad Hafeez was brilliant with the bat, He scored a responsible inning of 122* and helped Pakistan to place a total of 266. He was the only person in the match who scored highest runs and picked two wickets with an economy rate of 3.77. The other batters didn't impressed that much.

Pakistan will play one more ODI against Ireland and two warmup matches before Champions trophy. I think its good if Pakistan is getting tough opponents like Irish before the start of Champions trophy. As the group contains one of the teams which have one of the best ODI players in the world.