After Ireland’s thrilling tie in a party atmosphere, Sabina Park sold 7,000 extra tickets today. Some say that the interest among the locals is because they possibly see a similarity - between these Irish team and their own Jamaican boys who had dreamt big by taking a bobsled to the Winter Olympics. But Trent Johnston’s side —that dismissed former World Cup winners Pakistan for a mere 132 today — can do far more than merely win hearts. This was Pakistan’s second-lowest score in World Cup history, and their lowest point by any stretch of imagination. Last night at a PCB party, they invited a few immensely likeable Irish fans—all professional musicians flown in by a mobile phone company for the game—to liven up proceedings. The hosts enjoyed it, little knowing that they will have to face the music once again on the ground tomorrow. The 6’ 7’’ sheep farmer and part-time groundsman Boyd Rankin got rid of three batsmen. Medium pacer Andre Botha bowled a spell he will never forget 8-4-5-2. Langford Smith was his usual economical best. But the high point of the brilliant Irish show on field was the fielding. William Portfield at point was unshakeable, Eoin Morgan at slip was unflappable, and the one moment that defined the Irish spirit on the ground was captain Johnson’s catch to dismiss Kamran Akmal. Posted at mid-on, he ran backwards, lunged full length, extended his arm and reached out with his fingers as the ball ballooned. SCOREBOARDPakistan: Nazir c Morgan b Botha 24, Hafeez c Niall O’Brien b Langford-Smith 4, Y Khan c Botha b Rankin 0, M Yousuf c Porterfield b Johnston 15, Inzamam-ul-Haq c Morgan b Botha 1, S Malik c Niall O’Brien b Kevin O’Brien 9, Akmal c Johnston b Rankin 27, Mahmood c Johnston b Rankin 2, Sami c Bray b McCallan 12, Rao Iftikhar not out 8, Umar Gul c sub (John Mooney) b McCallan 1Extras: (3lb, 23w, 3nb): 29; Total: (all out, 45.4 overs): 132Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-15, 3-56, 4-58, 5-66, 6-72, 7-103, 8-105, 9-130, 10-132Bowling: David Langford-Smith 10-1-31-1, Boyd Rankin 9-1-32-3, Andre Botha 8-4-5-2, Trent Johnston 7-1-20-1, Kevin O’Brien 6-0-29-1, Kevin McCallan 5.4-1-12-2New StarBoyd RankinThis 22-yr-old Irish right arm medium fast bowler has spent a lot of time tending to sheep on his father’s farm, but he can also make the ball talk. Rankin made his debut this January against Bermuda.
