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Opener Paul Stirling's century was not sufficient as Pakistan did just enough to strike Ireland by five wickets and claim a 2-0 one-day international series win in Belfast.
Stirling hit a striking 109 to lead a vastly-improved Irish batting exhibit after they had been bowled out for just 96 in Saturday's opener. Ireland this time manage 238 for eight, a total that might have been bigger but for some clever bowling from Saeed Ajmal (four for 35) at the finish which prove crucial as Pakistan made heavy work of the chase.
The tourists crawl past 100 in the 30th over but half-centuries from Younus Khan and Umar Akmal, who provide the much-needed late hitting, saw Pakistan across the line with eight balls to spare. Defeat for Ireland destined they failed to claim a timely win over a full-member nation with their, and the connect nations', World Cup hopes still up in the air.
The ICC chief executives' committee is due to meet next month to talk about the opportunity of over-ruling their omission from the 2015 tournament. Today's presentation was, however, more thoughtful of the form that had led to extensive calls for Ireland to be given a route back into the World Cup, while 20-year-old Stirling's impressive century - his first next to a full-member nation - underline the young talent rising from the country.
It looked like his heroics with the bat might be satisfied with victory when Pakistan initially made hurt progress in their chase after Mohammad Hafeez chipped Trent Johnston to mid-on before he had scored.
A prudent 63-run stand between Kumar Taufeeq (31) and debutant Azhar Ali (39) then allowed the necessary rate to climb before they both fell in quick series to put the pressure on the middle order.
Despite that, old hands Younus and Misbah-ul-Haq remained unfazed at the start of their 68-run stand as Pakistan crawled past 100 in the 30th over, before they finally upped the tempo.
Misbah launch Kevin O’Brien backs over his head for six though his dismissal, wedged behind off John Mooney for 32, and kept Ireland alive. At that stage there was abundance of work still to be done, with Pakistan needing 91 from the last 12 overs, but Younus and Akmal combined effectively.
Akmal provide the youthful violence, hitting a victorious 60 off 47 balls, while Younus played the role of calm veteran adding 64 from 74 balls before he was out two runs from victory.
Ireland captain William Porterfield had earlier made the brave choice to bat first on the same Stormont wicket his unaffected team had disappointed so forcefully two days ago.
His decision was soon satisfied as Ireland surpasses their horror opening-game 96 for the loss of only Ed Joyce (17), who edged behind off Ajmal. Stirling was rapidly in his stride swiping both Junaid Khan and Umar Gul over the square boundary, but his innings was not all about aggression.
After his skipper Porterfield (15) was bowled by Hafeez, Stirling sensibly worked the ball approximately the field as he dug in for the big score his side needed. It was grown-up batsmanship from one of Ireland's most talented young players and he was satisfied for it with a century from 94 balls, which integrated seven fours and a six.
He was finally bowled trying to thrash Junaid in the final over of the batting powerplay, before the bright Ajmal frustrated Ireland's late hitting by remove the dangerous O'Brien (10) and Mooney (six).
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