Pakistan marked an easy win over the Irish to grab a place in the semi-finals of the T20 world cup. It was a crucial match for Pakistan in terms of winning by a good margin so that their run rate improves. It was important factor as if the Kiwis beat the Srilankans in their next encounter then it would be a three way tie and run rate will then be the deciding factor to get the top two with better run rate to enter the semi finals.
Pakistan had this in mind and they played a brilliant game of cricket to mark a comfortable victory over Ireland improving their run rate so much so that they have secured their place in the semi finals. So Pakistan is the first team in group B to secure this position. South Africans were the first to secure a place in the semis from group A.
A crucial encounter between England and West Indies will decide who will be the second team to get a place in the semi finals. In group B the all important match will be between Srilanka and the Kiwis on Tuesday the 16th and if Srilanka manages to beat the Kiwis, they will get the top spot in Group A where as if the Kiwis beat Srilanka then the run rate will come into effect and whichever team has the better run rate will go through to the semi finals.
So not only the Kiwis will be looking to beat the Lankans but they will have to win it in style: in order to supersede the run rate of Srilanka. If Kiwis beat Srilanka then it is more likely that Pakistan will top the group and this will mean that Pakistan will avoid the South Africans in the semi finals.
Kamran Akmal was declared man of the Match for his well deserved fifty which helped Pakistan to cross the 150 mark. Pakistani Bowlers did well to restrict the Irish team to 119 for 9 in their 20 over quota. All in all, it was an all round performance from the Pakistani team to earn a well deserve spot in the semi finals of T20 World Cup.