BELFAST: Pakistan bowled Ireland out for just 96 on the way to a seven-wicket win in the first One-Day International at Stormont here Saturday to go 1-0 up in the two-game series. Left-arm paceman Junaid Khan, in only his fifth match at this level took four wickets for 12 runs in five overs before off-spinner Saeed Ajmal polished off the tail with three for seven in three. World Cup semifinalist Pakistan made light of the blustery conditions, despite having arrived from the West Indies just 48 hours earlier and finding a drop in temperature of 20 degrees. It was all a far cry for Ireland, cricket's leading non-Test nation, from a World Cup campaign where only two months ago it beat England with a record chase of 328. Pakistan's cause was helped by winning the toss in a rain-delayed match and bowling first, with Ireland's batsmen unable to cope with the swinging and seaming ball. Junaid Khan, just 21 years old, proved too hot for the host and Saeed Ajmal finished off the tail with three wickets for seven runs in three overs. When Pakistan was set a revised victory target of 95 in 36 overs, the batsmen did not have to take any risks and the Test match opening pair of Mohammad Hafeez and Taufeeq Iqbal used all their know-how to tame the enthusiastic Ireland attack.
