Pakistan were determined to put up a strong performance against Ireland after having lost to Afghanistan and got this through fast bowler Shaheen Afridi.
Shaheen, who had made a record-breaking first-class debut in September 2017 when he grabbed an eight-wicket innings haul in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy for Khan Research Laboratories against Rawalpindi, tormented the Ireland batsmen as soon as he was brought into the attack.
Coming in first change after part-time spinner Ali Zaryab used the new ball, Shaheen gave little away and his effectiveness and accuracy can be gauged from the fact that he bowled three batsmen and had three caught behind.
Ireland were reduced to 34 for four in the 12th over with Shaheen taking three of those wickets, and there was to be no comeback as Ireland fell to their second loss after going down to Sri Lanka by seven wickets on Sunday. Joshua Little, who has already played senior international cricket, scored 24 not out off 20 balls to help take the team close to the three-figure mark.
Pakistan made quick work of chasing the total as opener Zaid Alam blasted 43 not out off 19 balls with seven fours and a six and captain Hassan Khan made an unbeaten 27 off 20 balls.
Shaheen, who was later declared player of the match, said: “The captain opened with spin, and that was the plan the team had taken. It didn’t work, so the ball came to me and I just tried to do my best. I’m happy for it. New Zealand conditions are very good, there’s a lot of seam movement.”
Like Namibia and PNG, this was Ireland’s second successive defeat, which has all but ended their chances of progressing to the Super League stage. Instead, the three sides are likely to feature in the Plate Championship, which will be played alongside the Super League.