| Scores | Upcoming | Results |
London: The return of Abdul Razzaq has livened things up and with Umar Gul, Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal, they were lively in any case.
The batting is still a worry and even a 100-run target against New Zealand entailed losses. In particular, concerns centre on the form of Misbah-ul-Haq and Shoaib Malik; powerhouses in the last World Cup, they have scored 144 runs between them here, just six more than Younis Khan and at vastly inferior strike rates. Incidentally, Pakistan's press has been rife with rumours of a growing rift between the pair and the captain; Abdul Qadir's claims about Malik does nothing to dispel the speculation.
The Irish, as ever, will do their best to exploit any such issue to their advantage. They may be playing only for pride but for an Associate nation in a big tournament that is often the main motivation. Few have been unimpressed by them and only inexperience cost them the chance of an upset over Sri Lanka. They will also need no reminding of the events of the 2007 50-over World Cup. Theoretically, if they can beat Pakistan in a 50-over game, then in a Twenty20 game, the chances increase.
Umar Gul is peaking for Pakistan at just the right time and his world-best figures against New Zealand means he is now joint leading wicket-taker in the tournament. A little stutter early on has been overcome and that frighteningly accurate yorker is back.
Ireland's opening bowlers Boyd Rankin and Trent Johnston bowled fine spells against Sri Lanka and if conditions are murky overhead, Pakistan's batsmen will not much like their swing, seam and bounce.
Stats and trivia
Match Facts
Monday, June 15, 2009
Start time 1330 local (1230 GMT)
