Misbah silent as Pakistan's cricket does the talking

Security officials hurried Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq away from reporters and back to the squad's hotel after his side beat Ireland in the first of two one-day internationals.

But this was one occasion when his team's actions spoke louder than words.

Pakistan's emphatic seven-wicket victory at Stormont here yesterday could have been a tricky assignment in alien conditions.

However, Misbah -- leading the side after Shahid Afridi was stripped of the captaincy for criticising coach Waqar Younis -- won an important toss and Pakistan continued their recent impressive form.

The World Cup semi-finalists left the sub-continent for the West Indies where they wrapped up the five-match one-day series there with victories in the first three matches.