Pakistan skipper backing Ireland’s bid for top-flight status

Ireland’s long-term ambition to become a Test-playing nation was handed further weight after they narrowly fell short of an RSA Insurance ODI series wins in Dublin.

After the opening match ended in a dramatic tie Ireland looked set to claim a first series win over a full member when Pakistan crashed to 17 for four chasing 230 on Sunday.

It took a stunning counter attack from eighth-wicket pair Kamran Akmal and Wahab Riaz, who smashed 93 from 62 balls, to deny them a famous triumph by just two wickets.