Mary Waldron and Arlene Kelly combined for a record eighth-wicket partnership of 59 for Ireland in Lahore yesterday but there was little else to cheer as Pakistan romped to a nine-wicket victory and a winning 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.

Wicketkeeper Waldron top-scored with 35, one more than Kelly, while four other Ireland batters passed 20 without kicking on, and a total of 194 all out was easily picked off by the home side in 32.4 overs.

The final match in the series is on Wednesday, to be followed by three T20s where the Girls in Green should be more competitive but they will have to find a way past opener Sidra Ameen who followed up her 176 not out in the first game with an unbeaten 91 yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands’ surprise 13-run victory over South Africa in Adelaide not only eliminated the Proteas from the T20 World Cup but also eased Ireland’s qualification path to the next edition of the tournament.

The Dutch finished fourth in Group 2 and thereby qualify automatically for 2024, meaning Ireland and Scotland will be strong favourites to claim the two European places on offer, with Denmark, Jersey, Italy, Germany and Austria also in contention.