Johan Botha
Ex-South Africa spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"I think run outs and fielding is going to be crucial in that quarter-final. If they can create pressure and run outs in the Pakistan top order that will be a crucial part of the game. It is going to be a cracking game."

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Sri Lankan umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge does well to leap into the air with both feet as Sarfraz pulls Thompson through square leg and they run two. The powerplay's over, but Pakistan only need 28 from the last 60 balls, with plenty of wickets in hand - to the disappointment of those of you who may have been hoping for a late Shahid Afridi cameo.

Umar Akmal is the new batsman, so both of Pakistan's wicketkeeping options are at the crease - although with Sarfraz in this good form (and he's undeniably the superior gloveman), Akmal can concentrate on his batting. Cusack has finished his spell - figures of 10-1-43-1.

Johan Botha
Ex-South Africa spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"I think Misbah was just a bit casual there trying to run it down to third man. Cusack was wide in the crease and rolled his fingers around it. He has stood on the stumps. He is so far back in his crease his heel has just caught them and dislodged the bails."

Image source, Getty Images

Well, Misbah's not going to see it through - it initially looks like he's chopped the ball onto his off stump, before kicking at the turf in frustration. In fact, Johan Botha on TMS has spotted that it was the batsman's heel which touched the bottom of off stump and dislodged the bails - so he's out hit wicket.

Image source, Getty Images

Zavair Baakza: The Irish passion for this game is evident and that alone warrants their return in the next world cup. From a Pak supporter.

Mark: I think Boyd Rankin having not been used by @ECB_cricket since 2014 would be mad not to requalify for @Irelandcricket.

Sarfraz, who hails from Karachi and had never made more than 65 in his 37 previous ODIs (despite hitting three Test centuries in 13 games), moves ever closer to three figures as he guides the recalled Thompson for two through mid-wicket. Misbah, who's not had the strike for a couple of overs, unleashes a powerful square cut for four which has the bowler pulling his shirt up to hide his face. A single mean the skipper has 39, Sarfraz has 91, Pakistan need 31 more, and this game is racing towards an inescapable conclusion.

Johan Botha
Ex-South Africa spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"Pakistan just had a little hiccup around the 120 mark but these two have steadied the ship and now Sarfraz is stepping it up. He is such a good player - so explosive at the top of the order."

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Many of the Pakistan fans are literally dancing in the aisles already, but the Irish are putting on a brave face. Cusack replaces Mooney but it's still steady progress as Sarfraz threads a four through point which evades the diving Thompson's attempt to flick it back before it cannons into the rope. Next ball, same shot, same area, and same result - the only difference being it's Mooney putting in the despairing dive. Pakistan need 40 more, and Sarfraz is 12 away from a maiden ODI ton.

Tim Nielsen
Former Australia coach on BBC Test Match Special

"It was a waist-high full toss. Not an easy ball to hit for six because you're not expecting it but Misbah has been batting well and latched on to it quickly and cleared the rope on the full over the longest boundary in the ground."

Pakistan have left it as late as they're allowed, but the umpire signals the batting powerplay which means a maximum of three men outside the fielding circle for overs 36-40. But despite six men in the ring, Misbah and Sarfraz help themselves to singles against Kevin O'Brien, who tries a bouncer but Misbah veers away and it's signalled as an aerial wide. And the last ball is a waist-high full toss which Misbah swats over square leg for a flat six. Pakistan need 51 from 84 balls to make the quarter-finals at Ireland's expense.

Image source, Getty Images

With 60 needed from 26 overs, Ireland need to crank up the voltage here - and in John Mooney, an electrician by trade before he became a full-time cricketer, they have a man giving it everything for his beloved boys in green. And he keeps Sarfraz tied down for six dot balls - a maiden over for the headband-sporting Mooney. But the required rate is still a modest four runs an over.

Tim Nielsen
Former Australia coach on BBC Test Match Special

"Pakistan are still cruising along at 5.20. It is a game that has been dominated by the performance of Pakistan. They have bowled and caught well and now they are batting well. Ireland need to keep going and ensure they take some pride from what is looking like being their last game in this World Cup."

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Image source, Reuters

So Tim Nielsen thinks Ireland are lacking a quick bowler. I wonder what Boyd Rankin feels, with his former team-mates coming close to a quarter-final place? I think I'm right in saying that the "requalification" period for someone switching from an ICC full member to an Associate side has been reduced to two years (having previously been four years for the likes of Ed Joyce). Rankin hasn't featured for England since January 2014 so - theoretically - could be back in an Ireland shirt by this time next year? What would you Ireland fans think of this?

Captain William Porterfield rotates his bowlers - it's Cusack off, Kevin O'Brien on for another medium-pace trundle. Sarfraz pulls a single to bring up the fifty stand from only 55 balls, Misbah tickles one to third man. Time for drinks.

Tim Nielsen
Former Australia coach on BBC Test Match Special

"They have fielded well Ireland. From the outset they were buzzing around and trying to create pressure on Pakistan. But the one thing they lack is a fast bowler. If they had a man like that, who can impact early in the innings they would be a very good unit."

John Mooney, who will contend with Afghanistan's Hamid Hassan for the "Best World Cup Headband" award, returns as the Irish search for a wicket, but with keeper Gary Wilson standing up to the stumps, he has no way of reaching a ropey legside wide from which they scamper an additional three runs. Misbah reaches for a full, wide delivery which he pokes through point for four to reduce the deficit to 63 from 17 overs (or if you prefer, 102 balls).

John Kenny
BBC Test Match Special

"It's not fair from Ireland's point of view to have to go Bangladesh to qualify for the next World Cup, when the tournament is in England."

Ireland have Niall O'Brien off the field, with Andy McBrine on for some sub-fielding duties - although a few fans would have liked to see him in the starting line-ups. With both sides in bright lime green (perfect for floodlit games), it's Pakistan who are shining brightly here. With the required rate down to under four, a quartet of singles will do very nicely.

Image source, Getty Images

Tim Nielsen
Former Australia coach on BBC Test Match Special

"The Irish support is continuing the tradition of enjoying the contest and the environment regardless of whether they are winning or not. But this game is getting away from them now."

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