Pakistan beats Ireland, advances to World Cup quarterfinals

ADELAIDE, Australia, March 15: Pakistan's disciplined pace bowlers restricted Ireland to 237 and then the batsmen took over to help claim a seven-wicket win Sunday and a place in the World Cup quarterfinals.

After captain William Porterfield won the toss and provided Ireland's only resistance at the crease, scoring his first World Cup century (107), Pakistan replied methodically at Adelaide Oval, scoring its first 100 runs without loss as openers Sarfraz Ahmed (101 not out) and Ahmed Shehzad (63) found gaps in the Irish field placements.Sarfraz's century was Pakistan's first of the tournament, leading his team to 241-3 in 46.1 overs.

The win moves Pakistan, which lost its first two matches before winning its next four, into a quarterfinal match at the same Adelaide ground on Friday against four-time champion Australia.
Scores:

Pakistan 241-3 in 46.1 overs (Sarfraz Ahmed 101 not out; Ahmed Shehzad 63; Alex Cusack 1-43) def. Ireland 237 all out (William Porterfield 107, Gary Wilson 29; Wahab Riaz 3-54, Sohail Khan 2-44) by seven wickets.

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