Gaby Lewis cut a frustrated figure in Lahore last night after watching Ireland waste a golden chance to start their World Cup qualifying campaign with a statement victory over Pakistan only to fade badly and lose by 38 runs.

Skipper Lewis claimed she was “very confident” going into the six-team round-robin tournament and it was easy to see why as the Girls in Green dominated the first three-quarters of the match before their challenge melted away in the oppressive heat.

Jane Maguire led the attack with an impressive 10 overs that brought her 3-33, and Arlene Kelly and leg-spinner Cara Murray took two wickets apiece as the hosts were bowled out for 217, an over short of their quota of 50.

Ireland looked to be heading for a comfortable win, and an early claim on one of the two World Cup spots on offer, as Lewis and Amy Hunter added 69 for the second wicket.

The skipper was clearly suffering in the conditions, though, and after several breaks to take on fluid, she was lbw for 44 from 57 balls, while Hunter was bowled behind her legs for the same score from 13 fewer deliveries.

Laura Delany, who had looked so good in the warm-ups, fell for a duck but with the required rate never rising above a run a ball, Orla Prendergast and Leah Paul again shifted the momentum back to Ireland with a sensible fifth-wicket partnership of 34.

The equation was 65 runs to win from 13 overs, with six wickets in hand, when Paul had a rush of blood and was lbw attempting a reverse sweep, wickets began to tumble and when Prendergast was bowled for 37 the end was nigh.

Lewis must now lift her team for tomorrow’s key match against the West Indies who suffered a shock 11-run loss to Scotland in their opening game.