Ireland collapse after promising start

CRICKET/Women's World Cup Qualifier:Ireland's bid to claim a place in next year's women's World Cup got off to a poor start in South Africa yesterday as they lost by 57 runs to Pakistan in Stellenbosch.

A failure of the top-order to build on a decent start added to a late collapse hindered Ireland's attempts to chase down Pakistan's modest total of 165.

Ireland's defeat also overshadowed an extraordinary display of fielding from Isobel Joyce, who played a part in no less than five run-outs in the Pakistan innings.

Clare Shillington also got in on the act, running out Pakistan captain Urooj Mumtaz for 19.

Leg-spinner Ciara Metcalfe proved the pick of the Ireland bowling attack with figures of 2-27 off her 10 overs, although 19 wides in the extras column and some late-order hitting helped Pakistan pass the 150 mark.

Ireland looked well set on 40 for no wicket in reply, only to catch the run-out bug that had afflicted Pakistan's innings.

Both opening bats went this way, Caitriona Beggs for 10 and the key wicket of Cecilia Joyce after she had battled hard for 36 runs off 92 deliveries.

Wickets fell at regular intervals after that, with only Isobel Joyce (29) contributing anything of note as Ireland's last seven wickets fell for just 39 runs.

Ireland skipper Heather Whelan believes the team must up their efforts in all departments if they are to stand a chance of making the final and earning a spot at next year's World Cup in Australia.

"Bowling-wise, we need to cut out our wides and no balls - we bowled far too many wides, which is not acceptable at this level," said a disappointed Whelan.

"Our top batters really need to start coming through for us in the next game and for the rest of the tournament," she added.

Ireland face the second of their Pool B clashes today against a Scotland side who were bowled out for 72 in their opening 75-run defeat to Zimbabwe.

Nothing less than a victory will do for Ireland.

PAKISTAN

T Qadeer run out I Joyce 30

B Maroof c and b Metcalfe 18

S Shah c AM Linehan b CJ Metcalfe 2

S Javed run out I Joyce 7

N Abidi run out I Joyce 22

S Mir run out I Joyce 14

U Mumtaz run out Shillington 19

A Iqbal run out I Joyce 1

Q Jalil b J Whelan 17

B Fatima not out 8

S Yousuf not out 0

Extras (1b 2lb 19w 5nb) 27

Total (for 9wkts, 50 ovs) 165

Fall: 1-60, (16.3), 2-66 (18.5), 3-71 (21.5), 4-74 (25.4), 5-110, 6-132 7-136, 8-144, 9-160.

Bowling: H Whelan 10-1-28-0; E Nolan 9-0-40-0; N Coffey 2-0-11-0; J Whelan 9-1-29-1; C Metcalfe 10-0-27-2; I Joyce 5-1-9-0; C Joyce 5-2-18-0.

IRELAND

C Joyce run out S Javed 36

C Beggs run out A Iqbal 10

C Shillington b Mir 12

I Joyce c and b Yousuf 29

A Linehan st Fatima b Mumtaz 1

N Coffey run out Abidi 2

J Whelan lbw b Mir 9

H Whelan run out Qadeer 1

C Metcalfe c Abidi b Shah 0

E Nolan st Fatima b Yousuf 0

J Carroll not out 0

Extras (1lb 7w) 8

Total (all out, 43.3 ovs) 108

Fall: 1-40, 2-54, 3-6767 (28.6), 4-69 (31.5), 5-80, 6-94 (36.4), 7-106, 8-108, 9-108.

Bowling: A Iqbal 6-2-16-0; Q Jalil 7-2-10-0; S Yousuf 7-1-20-2 S Shah 9.3-1-20-1; S Mir 9-1-17-2; U Mumtaz 5-0-24-1.

Pakistan won by 57 runs