Ireland beaten by Pakistan in opening qualifier

Ireland looked in a good position during the partnership between Amy Hunter (left) and Gaby Lewis (right) but their departures helped the hosts take control

ICC Women's World Cup qualifier, Lahore

Pakistan 217 (49 overs): Riaz 52, Ameen 51; J Maguire 3-33, Kelly 2-34, Murray 2-49

Ireland 179 (44 overs): Lewis 44, Hunter 44; Baig 4-35, Sandhu 3-41, Iqbal 2-37

Pakistan won by 38 runs

Scorecard

Ireland lost nine wickets for only 83 runs as they collapsed from a strong position to suffer a 38-run defeat against hosts Pakistan in their opening Women's World Cup qualifier in Lahore.

The Irish restricted Pakistan to only 217 from 49 overs in Lahore with Jane Maguire taking three wickets as Aliya Riaz and Sidra Ameen hit 52 and 51 for the hosts.

In their reply, Ireland reached 96-1 as captain Gaby Lewis (44) and Amy Hunter (44) produced a 69-run partnership but their departures within four overs turned the match in Pakistan's favour.

Orla Prendergast batted for nearly 17 overs as she hit 37 but wickets fell regularly at the other end as home bowlers Diana Baig and Nashra Sandhu did most of the damage.

Baig produced bowling figures of 4-35 with Sandhu's three wickets including the vital dismissals of Lewis, Hunter and Laura Delany for a duck as Ireland slipped from 96-1 to 119-4 in 6.2 overs.

Ireland briefly rallied as Prendergast and Leah Paul put on 34 for the fifth wicket but Paul's departure after being trapped lbw by Sadia Iqbal effectively ended Irish resistance they were only able to add a further 24 runs.

In the Pakistan innings, Maguire removed Gull Feroza for four in the second over, before Muneeba Ali and Sidra put on 77 for the second wicket.

However, Cara Murray trapped Sidra and then had Riaz caught by Louise Little to leave the hosts on 175-4 before they lost their last six wickets for only 42 runs with Arlene Kelly taking two dismissals late in the innings.

The Irish will be back in action on Friday against West Indies at the same Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore before further contests against Bangladesh, Thailand and Scotland.

Only the two top teams in the round-robin qualifier will secure places at the World Cup in India in September.