IRELAND suffered a 38-run defeat at the hands of Pakistan in the opening match of their Women’s Cricket World Cup qualifying campaign in Lahore today.

Jane Maguire took three for 33 as Ireland bowled out the hosts for 217, with Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter then both contributing 44 with the bat, but Ireland collapsed, losing their final five wickets for only 20 runs.

Maguire struck almost immediately in the match, removing Gull Feroza for four in the second over, but Muneeba Ali and Sidra Amin put on 77 for the second wicket before Sidra and Aliya Riaz scored 72 for the third, leaving Pakistan on 153 for three when Cara Murray trapped Sidra lbw for 51.