Cricket:Ireland are virtually guaranteed a place in the Super Eights of the Cricket World Cup after Pakistan scored 349 - their highest World Cup total - against Zimbabwe in their final Group D match at Sabina Park in Jamaica.
Imran Nazir was in sparkling form as he hit a career-best 160 from just 121 deliveries, which included 14 boundaries and a joint World Cup record eight sixes. Only Australia captain Ricky Ponting has scored as many at a World Cup - in the 2003 final.
However, Pakistan were only playing for pride as they cannot qualify for the latter stages of the tournament after defeats to Ireland and the West Indies. But if Pakistan go on to defeat Zimabawe they will ensure Ireland's passage into the last eight. Ireland drew their opening match of the World Cup against Zimbabwe.
It was an emotion-filled morning at the Jamaica venue, which
included a one-minute silence following the death of Pakistan coach
Bob Woolmer on Sunday and then a guard of honour send-off for
departing skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq.
Nazir was the mainstay of Pakistan's innings by a long way as
the next highest scorer was Inzamam with 37, his final innings in a
one-day international and as captain. Inzamam left the field in
tears.
Zimbabwe require a win to maintain hopes of a Super Eights
place but that looks highly unlikely as they require aproximately
seven runs an over.
Nazir was fortunate to survive when he was on 31 after Gary
Brent trapped him on the crease and television replays suggested he
should have been lbw.
He also skied Brent to deep backward square leg when on 81
but Friday Kasteni dropped a straightforward catch and Nazir picked
up a single. But he deserved his luck with some exhilarating stroke
play.
After reaching the ton, Nazir crashed left-arm spinner Sean
Williams for six over midwicket and then showed enough composure to
dab the next ball to the vacant third man boundary for four.
Nazir's previous highest score was 105 not out, his only
other one-day century, also made against Zimbabwe. Pakistan's total
was also the eighth-highest in a World Cup match.