Pakistan win, qualify to quarters

Pakistan smashed a victory at the Adelaide Oval today beating Ireland by seven wickets to secure their spot in the quarterfinals as third of Pool B of the World Cup 2015.

Ireland, who came so close to qualify into the final eight with an impressive performance, have to go home now with the content of beating only one top class team West Indies.

Choosing to bat first, Ireland were bowled out for 237, almost half of which came from the century of their captain William Porterfield, 107.

Quick bowlers made good for Pakistan in the last quarter curbing down Ireland from what it seemed at one point that Porterfield would take his side to a score of 280 plus.

Wahab Riaz took three wickets for Pakistan with Rahat Ali and Sohail Khan claiming two apiece. Ehsan Adil, brought into the side, and Haris Sohail took one each.

Coming down to chase, Openers Ahmed Shehzad, 63, and Pakistan's first centurion in this tournament Sarfraz Ahmed gave a solid 120-run opening stand.

Sarfraz, who remained unbeaten at 101, guided his team through and Pakistan lost three wickets on the way to win the match with 23 balls to spare.

In the quarterfinals, Pakistan will face Australia at this venue.

Ireland Team

William Porterfield (C), Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce, Niall O'Brien, Balbirnie, Gary Wilson (wkt), Kevin O'Brien, Stuart Thompson, John Mooney, George Dockrell, Alex Cusack

Pakistan Team

Sarfraz Ahmed (wkt), Ahmed Shehzad, Haris Sohail, Misbah-ul-Haq (C), Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali, Ehsan Adil