Pakistan versus Ireland T20I Series, 2024

1st T20I

Andrew Balbirnie has helped Ireland team to win a game in last over of 1st T20I against Pakistan

Pakistan scored 182/6 in 20 overs, where as Ireland scored 183/5 in 19.5 overs.

So, finally Ireland beat Pakistan by 5 wickets.

In Dublin on Friday, Babar Azam’s 43-ball 57 proved futile as Ireland clinched a thrilling five-wicket victory off the penultimate ball to take a 1-0 lead in the T20I series.

Andrew Balbirnie led Ireland’s successful pursuit of 183 with a splendid 55-ball 77.

Pakistan, put in to bat, suffered an early setback with Mohammad Rizwan’s dismissal in the second over due to a mix-up with his partner Saim Ayub.

Nonetheless, Ayub and Azam forged a strong foundation for Pakistan’s innings, stitching together an 85-run partnership for the second wicket off just 57 balls.

The duo consistently found boundaries, maintaining a brisk scoring rate.

Ayub got a reprieve in the ninth over when Barry McCarthy dropped a catch at short fine leg.

However, Ayub failed to capitalize on the opportunity and was soon dismissed.

Mark Adair and Craig Young then dismantled Pakistan’s middle order, triggering a collapse from 92 for 1 to 123 for 5 within 25 deliveries.

Despite this, late fireworks from Iftikhar Ahmad, who struck three sixes, and Shaheen Afridi propelled Pakistan to a competitive total of 182 for 6.

In reply, Ireland faced early setbacks as Naseem Shah and Abbas Afridi accounted for the wickets of Paul Stirling and Lorcan Tucker in the powerplay.

Balbirnie, however, counter attacked aggressively, particularly targeting Imad Wasim’s bowling.

Partnering with Harry Tector, he compiled a crucial 77-run partnership and later combined with George Dockrell for a quickfire 39-run stand in just 20 balls.

Balbirnie’s dismissal with only eight balls remaining provided Pakistan with a glimmer of hope, but Gareth Delany and Curtis Campher held their nerve to guide Ireland home, scoring the final 16 runs in just seven deliveries.

Pakistan’s fielding lapses, including Iftikhar’s foot touching the boundary rope after taking a catch and Naseem’s injury while attempting to save a boundary in the last over, proved costly in the end.