Pakistan destroy Ireland in first ODI

Pakistan have obliterated Ireland in the first of two one-day internationals in Dublin by a mammoth 255-runs, the tourists' largest-ever margin of victory in the format.

Opener Sharjeel Khan blasted a stunning 152 from just 86 balls to set the tone as Pakistan galloped away to post 6-337 in 47 overs of a rain-affected contest.

In reply, Ireland were bowled out for just 82 – their lowest ever score in a home international – in less than 24 overs as left-arm spinner Imad Wasim collected his maiden five-wicket haul.

In his 12th ODI, Sharjeel powered to his half-century in 34 deliveries, and stepped up the pace further, to reach his hundred from 61 balls.

Sharjeel proceeded to hit the third-fastest 150 in ODI cricket, getting to the landmark in 85 balls with 16 fours and nine sixes. His previous top score was 61.

The 27-year-old left-hander fell next ball, caught behind off Barry McCarthy, to depart with Pakistan 4-226 after 32 overs.

Pakistan lost Sarfraz Ahmed three balls later – the wicketkeeper had scored a century against Ireland in the previous meeting as last year's World Cup – while Shoaib Malik (57 off 37) and debutant Mohammad Nawaz (53 off 50 added 105 in 83 balls.

Durham medium-pacer McCarthy was Ireland’s only bright spot as he collected a respectable 4-62 in his seventh ODI.

Under leaden skies and with a rain-delayed start, McCarthy had given Ireland a bright start to the match, after he had Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali caught behind in the fourth over.

Ireland wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien finished with four catches.

Mohammad Hafeez hit 37 in a 90-run stand with Sharjeel, while the opener and Babar Azam (29 off 29) added 94 for the third wicket in 63 balls.  

In the face of such a total, Ireland needed a fast start – instead Paul Stirling was making a fast exit, after Mohammad Amir tore through his defences to peg back the leg stump with the second ball of the innings.

Wickets continued to tumble regularly after that. In the eighth over they were 2-22 when the returning Umar Gul swung one past Ireland skipper Will Porterfield's edge to clip the bails.

Ireland were then 4-32 by the end of the 10th over as Gul added two more, luring Ed Joyce (9) into a short-ball trap, and finding the outside edge of Kevin O'Brien's bat for 4.

Niall O'Brien (10 off 25) came down the wicket and was a simple stumping for Imad's first wicket, and Stuart Poynter (4) was trapped in front for the second

At 6-55, Gary Wilson (21 off 33) and Andy McBrine (14 not out off 21) put together a 26-run stand – the highest of the innings from the two top-scorers.

Imad then finished off the tail, claiming the last three wickets in four balls. He finished with 5-14  while Gul, in his first ODI since April 2015, finished with 3-23.

The second match will be played at the same Malahide venue on Saturday.