Having lost their last group game to Sri Lanka on Saturday, Ireland face the top finisher from Group B in the first semi-final of the ICC Women’s World T20 Qualifier today.
The two semi-finals take place in YMCA in Sandymount, Ireland’s match-up with Pakistan at 10am while The Netherlands squeezed into the other semi-final against Sri Lanka thanks to superior run-rate.
Ireland have played Pakistan in a number of T20s and ODIs in the run up to this tournament and are under no illusions as to how difficult turning over the top ranked side in the competition will be.
“We haven’t managed to get over the line against them in the last few years,” Isobel Joyce admits. “They are a very professional side and they have a very good spin attack. They also have a number of options with the bat and run between the wickets very well,” said the Ireland captain.
“That being said, we have put together some good fielding performances and shown what we are capable of with the bat, so if we can fire in all three disciplines then I think we can win today and earn that early qualification to the 2014 World Cup.”
With three teams from this tournament qualifying for the ICC Women’s World T20 next year, the two finalist from today will take the first two spots up for grabs, while the winner of Wednesday’s 3rd/4th play-off will take the last spot.
The semi-finals will be streamed live here or you can follow live streaming here. 
Cricket Ireland
Ireland captain Isobel Joyce says they can make it to the final
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