Opting to bowl first after rain delayed the start and reduced the game to 17 overs, Pakistan gifted Ireland 13 wides but still restricted them to 118 for seven, and they knocked off the runs with six balls to spare.

 

The hosts also gave three of their wickets away to run outs, with Arlene Kelly the only successful bowler as Ireland’s spinners again failed to take a wicket in the helpful conditions.

 

In her post-match press conference Ireland captain Laura Delany highlighted a disappointing fielding performance with two dropped catches not helping their cause although it was the same two Pakistan batters who were not out in the first game on Saturday that saw Pakistan home, Aliya Riaz and Ayesha Naseem hitting 15 off the penultimate over.

 

 Amy Hunter, after a slow start, was Ireland’s top scorer with 36 off 39 balls but she was stumped off a wide at the start of the 13^th over, an over which lasted 12 balls! However, the wicket of Eimear Richardson with 10 balls remaining was the crucial one – she had scored 15 off eight balls – and Ireland lost two more wickets in the final two overs while adding just 12 runs.

 

Orla Prendergast, who again gave Ireland a good start with the bat, hitting three fours in her 20, did not have the same success with the ball as she enjoyed on Saturday, her four overs going for 28 and Pakistan just had too many wickets in hand to be troubled in the chase.

 

Scores:Ireland Women 118-7 (17 overs, A Hunter 36, O Prendergast 20, R Stokell 17, E Richardson 15) Pakistan Women 121-4 (16 overs, Javeria Khan 35; A Kelly 1-18). Pakistan won by 6 wickets and level series 1-1.