Pakistan vs. Ireland: Date, Live Stream, TV Info, Cricket World Cup Preview

Who would've have thought that Pakistan vs. Ireland, a quintessential Goliath vs. David tussle, would become a winner-takes-all contest for a place in the 2015 World Cup quarter finals?

Technically speaking, other results, such as the UAE beating the West Indies, could send both Pakistan and Ireland through, but both teams will simply be concentrating on taking care of business here.

Of course, Pakistan should win. They are in the "Premier League" of cricket nations and, compared to the minnows of Ireland, possess a number of renowned worldwide stars. 

But that was also the case when the sides met in the 2007 World Cup at Sabina Park. And who can forget what happened then?

Let's take a look at how these sides are shaping up ahead of this huge clash.

Venue: Adelaide Oval, Australia

Date: Sunday, Mar. 15, 2015

Start time: 2 p.m. local time/3.30 a.m. GMT

Weather: Conditions will be hot but with cloud cover according to bbc.co.uk/weather with temperatures reaching a high of 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

Live stream/TV Info: Sky Sports (UK) and ESPN (U.S.) carry full coverage of the 2015 Cricket World Cup, with mobile coverage available via the Sky Go app and ESPN Cricket 2015.

Preview

Before the tournament began, if you had to select one of the Associate Nations who could pull off an upset and qualify for the business end of the World Cup, then Ireland would probably have been the team.

Speaking to the BBC, Ed Joyce said: "The chance to break into the quarter-finals of a World Cup definitely makes it the biggest game we've ever had."

As well as being well supported, they have plenty of major tournament experience, and most of their players play or have played in the English domestic system.

They began their campaign by stunning the West Indies, chasing down 304 thanks largely to a knock of 84 off just 67 balls from Ed Joyce, and have also beaten the UAE and Zimbabwe.

And Joyce could be the key again here with his knack for fluent crease occupation crucial if Ireland are to bat through their allocated 50 overs and build a platform for the likes of Kevin O'Brien to add a late flourish.

But he's surrounded by other in-form run-makers like Niall O'Brien and the improving Andy Balbirnie so the men in green will fancy their chances of setting or chasing down a decent total on what is likely to be a flat Adelaide Oval track.

However, despite being weakened by pre-tournament injuries and suspensions, Pakistan present a much-tougher proposition than the West Indies.

In fact, since losing their first two games, against arch-rivals India and the West Indies, Misbah-ul-Haq's men have won three on the trot, most significantly, an impressive recent victory over South Africa.

Although from a batting statistical viewpoint, it's not obvious to see how they achieved this.

Misbah himself is the only batsman to have scored a decent volume of runs and their overall strike rate, Shahid Afridi aside, of course, is far less than a run a ball.

But the answer lies within a bowling attack that has successfully absorbed the pre-tournament loss of Saeed Anwar, Junaid Khan and Umar Gul.

Instead of their usual array of spinners, Pakistan have been relying on the left-arm pace of Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali and Mohammad Irfan ,and this trio, who have taken 24 wickets between them, will provide a stern test of the Irishmen's techniques.

These two sides have met on five occasions in ODI cricket with Pakistan winning three times to Ireland's solitary victory, with one match ending in a weather-related draw. 

ODI Form Lines (most recent first)

Pakistan: WWWLLW

Ireland: LWLWWW

Squads

Pakistan (from):

Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Younis Khan, Haris Sohail, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Irfan, Umar Akmal, Bilawal Bhatti, Sohail Khan, Ehsan Adil, Sohaib Maqsood, Yasis Shah.

Ireland (from): 

William Porterfield (capt), Andrew Balbirnie, Peter Chase, Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, Ed Joyce, Andrew McBrine, John Mooney, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O'Brien, Niall O'Brien (wk), Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson (wk), Craig Young.

Players to Watch

Pakistan

Hannah Peters/Getty Images

A calm butterfly in the midst of a maelstrom Misbah-ul-Haq is the glue that holds Pakistan together and is a vital presence in this inconsistent batting order. If his side starts well, Misbah is capable of throwing the bat and adding rapid late-innings runs. If they are struggling, he is equally adept at knuckling down and ensuring the team see out there allocated overs to record a sizeable total.

Ireland

Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

For many years now, Ed Joyce has been one of the best batsmen in the English domestic circuit, and as per his performances in this tournament, maybe England have missed a trick. The 36-year-old has looked more than comfortable in scoring 235 runs at a rate of more than a run-a-ball. And few would be surprised by another big innings here from the Dublin-born stroke-maker.

Prediction

The way Ireland have played in this competition gives them a decent chance of pulling off an upset against the in-form but often volatile Pakistanis. But will the pressure get to the "minnows" who won't be used to facing the type of bowling offered by Mohammad Irfan.

So a comfortable Pakistan win is the obvious result, but as they say in football, it's a funny old game.