Pakistan knock out Ireland to reach Cricket World Cup quarter-finals

Sarfraz Ahmed’s unbeaten 101 condemned Ireland to an early exit, despite an impressive showing in pool B, where they won three games. They go out after West Indies’ win over the United Arab Emirates gave them a better net run rate. Pakistan will face Australia on Friday, with the West Indies to play the co-hosts, New Zealand the following day. After an agonising wait in the 90s, during which Akmal blocked out deliveries in order to increase his team-mate’s chance of reaching 100, Sarfraz hit a boundary off George Dockrell to register Pakistan’s first century at this World Cup.