By Michael Pavitt

Pakistan ended Ireland's hopes of reaching the Cricket World Cup last eight ©AFP/Getty ImagesIreland's hopes of qualifying for the Cricket World Cup quarter-finals came to an end as they fell to defeat to Pakistan in their final Pool B match in Adelaide after the West Indies had leapfrogged them after they beat the United Arab Emirates in Napier.


Ireland, Pakistan and the West Indies were all vying for the remaining two quarter-final berths on the final day of pool action.

It meant Ireland's clash with Pakistan was sure to be a pivotal match.

Ireland were chasing a knockout place in the tournament for the first time in their history, but after electing to bat first they lost Paul Stirling and Ed Joyce early in their innings to leave them 56-2.

William Porterfield proved to be the key man for the Irish as they looked to build a competitive total, with the captain completing his century before being dismissed for 107.

His departure allowed the Pakistan bowlers to attack Ireland's lower order.

Ireland's final wicket fell to the last ball of the 50 overs, leaving Pakistan with a target of 238.

Despite early Irish pressure, Pakistan's opening batsmen Ahmed Shehzad and Sarfraz Ahmed started to build an impressive partnership.

Shehzad was eventually caught for 63, but the damage had been done, as Pakistan cruised to the target with Sarfraz Ahmed top scoring on 101.

The result ensured that Pakistan finished third in Pool B, meaning that they will face a quarter-final clash against World Cup co-hosts Australia.

West Indies captain Jason Holder took four wickets as they beat the United Arab Emirates ©AFP/Getty ImagesWest Indies captain Jason Holder took four wickets as they beat the United Arab Emirates ©AFP/Getty Images



But Ireland's World Cup was brought to an end as the West Indies' victory over the UAE saw them claim fourth in the pool, and they will now play unbeaten New Zealand in the last eight.

West Indies captain Jason Holder claimed four early wickets to help reduce the UAE to 26-5, but a fight back from Amjad Javed and Nasir Aziz helped the UAE to post a total of 175.

It was never likely to trouble the West Indies, who reached 176 with nearly 20 overs to spare, after Johnson Charles and Johnathan Carter recorded half-centuries.

The first of the quarter-final matches is due to take place on Wednesday (March 18), where South Africa will face Sri Lanka in Sydney.

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