Pakistan vs Ireland Stats Highlights: Gloveless Umar, Sarfraz change Pakistans fortunes

Pakistan vs Ireland Stats Highlights: Gloveless Umar, Sarfraz change Pakistans fortunes: Before the match had begun, Pakistan had everything to lose – a quarter-final spot & more importantly the nation’s pride. Ireland was fighting for a voice raised against ICC’s decision to have 10-country world cup next time. Choosing to bat first after winning the toss, Ireland was bowled out for 237. William Porterfield impressed with a 107. Pakistani openers, in reply, finally stepped up to the task as they piled 120 runs for the first wicket. Pakistan easily chased the target with 7 wickets in hand and Sarfraz putting up Pakistan’s first world cup hundred in 8 years.

Here are some of the stats highlights from the game:

A First – William Porterfield become the first Captain of an Associate nation to register a World Cup hundred.

Gloveless Umar Akmal – Umar Akmal grabbed 4 catches in Ireland’s innings (not as a wicket-keeper); most catches a Pakistani fielder has ever taken in a World Cup game. Also, Joint-Most for any fielder of any country in a world cup game.

Most Catches in a World Cup Game (as a fielder)

The Cheap Rahat – Rahat Ali’s economy rate of 4.07 in this world cup is the 3^rd lowest for bowlers who have bowled atleast 30 overs in this world cup. Daniel Vettori’s 3.21 is the lowest.

7 – Number of World Cup games since Pakistani openers last put up a 50-run partnership for the opening wicket. The last time was vs West Indies in the 2011 Quarter-Final match when Kamran Akmal & Mohammad Hafeez scored 113* to sail Pakistan into the semis with a 10-wicket win.

A Solution – Ahmed Shehzad & Sarfraz Ahmed together have added 341 runs in 5 innings together as openers. Ahmed Shehzad & Nasir Jamshed added 369 runs in 17 innings as openers.

Leading from the Front – Misbah-ul-Haq’s 316 runs as Pakistan’s captain in this world cup are Most for a Pakistan captain in any world cup. Imran Khan scored 286 runs in the 1983 event.

The Unfortunate List – Misbah-ul-Haq is the 3^rd Captain to be OUT ‘hit-wicket’ in a world cup game. Others:  M Odumbe (Kenya) in 1996 & J Harris (Canada) in 2003.

The Best Wicket-Keeper Batsman – Sarfraz Ahmed’s 101* is the Highest score by a Pakistani wicket-keeper in World Cup matches. Previous: Moin Khan 63 vs South Africa, 1999

2916 – Number of days since a Pakistani last scored a world cup hundred. Imran Nazir’s 160 vs Zimbabwe in 2007 was the last century by a Pakistani in WCs.

The All-Round Sarfraz – Sarfraz Ahmed has been ‘Man of the Match’ in both his WC games. Only Kumar Sangakkara has more (4) as a designated wicket-keeper.

Finally – This win over Ireland is Pakistan’s first win over the opposition in a world cup game. Ireland defeated Pakistan when they met last in 2007.

Quick Link : Cricket World Cup 2015: Hit XI of Group Stage