Sharjeel’s 152 powers Pakistan to big win

By our correspondents

August 19, 2016

DUBLIN: The small, quaint village of Malahide near here was set on fire by the big-hitting Sharjeel Khan who hit a spectacular 152 to help Pakistan flatten Ireland by a mammoth 255 runs in their first One-day International on Thursday.

With a small but vocal group of Pakistani supporters chanting slogans of ‘Pakistan zindabad’ in the background, Sharjeel smashed the third fastest 150 — from just 85 balls — with 16 fours and nine sixes to bring the hosts to their knees in the rain-reduced game.

Once Pakistan had hammered 337-6 from 47 overs in overcast conditions, there little Ireland could do in front of a potent Pakistani attack spearheaded by Mohammad Amir.

Imad Wasim picked 5-14 in 5.4 overs and veteran pacer Umar Gul celebrated his international return with 3-23 to bowl the hapless Irish side out 82 in the 24th over.

It was a massive victory for Pakistan, who are currently languishing at number nine in the ICC One-day International rankings. The Pakistan have to lift their performance graph or risk losing the chance of earning direct qualification to ICC World Cup 2019 to be held in England.

The result comes at just the right time as Pakistan, after playing against Ireland in the second and last ODI against Ireland on Saturday (tomorrow) have to face a formidable England team in a five-match ODI series starting from August 24 in Southampton.

Pakistan opted to bring in debutants Mohammad Nawaz and Hasan Ali in their line-up.

Agencies add: Earlier, Sharjeel’s stunning innings of 152, his maiden one-day international hundred, guided Pakistan to a formidable 337 for six.

Sharjeel hit the third fastest 150 in ODI cricket from just 85 balls, with 16 fours and nine sixes to put the tourists in control at the halfway stage in a match reduced by rain to 47 overs per side.

Only South Africa’s AB de Villiers and Australia’s Shane Watson have reached the landmark quicker than the Pakistan opening batsman and although Sharjeel was out next ball, caught behind off Barry McCarthy, he had set his side up for a huge total.

What made the 27-year-old Sharjeel’s feat all the more impressive was that Thursday’s match was just his 12th ODI, with his previous highest score 61.

After he was out, the experienced Shoaib Malik and debutant Mohammed Nawaz then put on 105 for the sixth wicket in just 83 balls with only McCarthy standing up to the onslaught.

The Durham medium-pacer finished with his second four-wicket haul in only his seventh ODI, while wicketkeeper Niall O’Brien held four catches.

But it was Sharjeel who stole the show in a memorable innings.

He passed his best ODI score, in his previous innings, with three successive fours off Peter Chase and brought up his hundred from just 61 balls with his 12th four to go with five sixes.

Pakistan lost a wicket in the fourth over when skipper Azhar Ali was caught behind to McCarthy’s ninth ball but Mohammad Hafeez helped the recovery in a second-wicket stand of 90, and Sharjeel and Babar Azam then put on 94 for the third wicket in just 63 deliveries.

The only time Pakistan were troubled was when Sarfraz Ahmed followed Sharjeel back to the pavilion just three balls later to leave Pakistan 227 for five.

But Malik and Nawaz, on a very impressive first appearance, continued to take apart Irish spinners Andy McBrine and Paul Stirling, who conceded 107 runs in their combined 12 overs.

Score Board

Ireland won toss

Pakistan

*Azhar Ali c N O’Brien b McCarthy 1

Sharjeel Khan c N O’Brien b McCarthy 152

M Hafeez c Porterfield b Chase 37

Babar Azam c N O’Brien b McCarthy 29

†Sarfraz Ahmed c N O’Brien b Murtagh 2

Shoaib Malik not out 57

M Nawaz (3) c Stirling b McCarthy 53

Imad Wasim not out 0

Extras (lb 3, w 3) 6