Pakistan stunned by Ireland, set to head home

Pakistan, after being defeated by the World Cup hosts, this time disgracefully bent down to one of the sport's second-tier nations, Ireland. The target that Pakistan’s batsmen set up was 132 runs in all, of which extras accounted for 29.

Ireland's target was revised to 128 off 47 overs, after some interruptions by rain. But the team which had 8-1 chance at Ladbrokes to beat fourth-ranked Pakistan was sturdy enough to conquer the petite target (set by the big-hyped team) and record one of the biggest upsets in cricket history.

“We're over the moon, with it being St. Patrick's Day as well,” Kevin O'Brien, who was unbeaten with Johnston, told Sky Sports. “We'll have a few social beers to celebrate.”

The batting hero was Niall O'Brien, who scored a magnificent 72 and also hit the first six of the match, which was topped by Captain Johnston, when he hit the second six at level scores, to mark the historic victory.

As for the critics who said, “The problem with the World Cup is that there are likely to be too many one-sided and meaningless matches at the start of the tournament”, its time to bite their words and look how Pakistanis are already set to pack their bags and some others disguised as dangerous, may follow soon.

Ireland had already delivered a surprise in its first-ever World Cup match two days ago, tying Zimbabwe on the last ball.

With three of the finest batsmen in the world in Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf and Inzamam-ul-Haq, playing on their side, Pakistan would fall short of excuses to cover this defeat by a team that mainly consisted of part-time Irish cricketers.

Centuries of the sport and teams like Ireland stay obscure. Is it a waste or was it just to create a sensation at the biggest Cricket tournament? The talks say that this bunch of cricketers might set up a final against England, only if the latter qualify.

Ireland will next face West Indies on Friday.