Sharjeel Khan sets up Pakistan win over Ireland

Sharjeel Khan's brutal maiden century set Pakistan on their way to a crushing 255-run success over Ireland in the first one-day international on Thursday.

The left-handed opener had just one fifty to his name in 11 previous ODI outings, but announced himself to the Ireland bowlers in devastating fashion as Pakistan recorded their heaviest margin of victory in this format.

Sharjeel blasted 152 from 86 balls, including 16 fours and nine maximums, helping Pakistan rack up a massive 337-6 from their 47 overs after a delayed start due to a wet outfield at Malahide.

Late fifties from Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Nawaz - on his ODI debut - further boosted the tourists' total, before Ireland were blown away for a paltry 82 all out, Imad Wasim returning 5-14.

But the day undoubtedly belonged to Sharjeel, whose hundred from 61 balls was the fourth fastest in ODIs by a Pakistan batsman, while his 152 represented the team's third highest individual score, behind Saeed Anwar and Imran Nazir.

Having been put in, Pakistan lost Azhar Ali for one but Mohammad Hafeez (37) and Babar Azam (29) aided Sharjeel, who eventually skied to the wicketkeeper to be fourth out with the score on 226.

Malik then blasted 57 from 37 balls while Nawaz added a more circumspect 53 from 50 as Pakistan set a daunting target.

And as Ireland crumbled to 55-6, the game was all but over as a contest as Wasim, Umar Gul (3-23) and Mohammad Amir (1-7) did the damage.

Ireland's top score was the 21 made by Gary Wilson, but his departure saw the hosts lose their final four wickets for one run – Wasim bowling all of the last three batsmen with the first four balls of the 24th over.