Ahead of the T20 World Cup, Ireland created a sensation in the cricketing world by defeating Pakistan by five wickets in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Clontarf Cricket Club here on Friday. This is Ireland’s first win against Pakistan in T20Is – in what is only the second meeting between the two teams. Pakistan won the first match between them. The experienced Andy Balbirnie top-scored for Ireland with a 55-ball 77, studded with 10 fours and two sixes, as they successfully chased down the target of 183/5 with a ball to spare after restricting Pakistan to 182/ 6 in his 20 overs.
Pakistan will be disappointed with their performance and will have to focus on improving their fielding and overall intensity for a strong comeback in the second T20I, which will be played on Sunday.
At the start of the game, Ireland decided to put Pakistan in to bat first. Pakistan didn’t get off to the best of starts, losing Mohammad Rizwan early. However, after a slow start, Saim Ayub and captain Babar Azam picked up the pace. Azam reached his 35th T20I half-century before getting out for 57. Ayub also played a significant innings, scoring 45 runs off 29 balls (4×4, 6×2).
However, a quick collapse in the middle of the pitch slowed down Pakistan’s scoring. But then, Iftikhar Ahmed’s impressive cameo (15-ball 37 not out) at the end revitalized their effort, helping them post a respectable total on the scoreboard.
In pursuit of the target of 183 runs, the Irish batsmen fought hard, but at times the pendulum swung in favor of both sides, eventually going in favor of the hosts, thanks to Andy Balbirnie’s excellent knock which earned him the Player of the Match award. of the match. In the final overs, Curtis Campher added a brilliant finishing touch to the chase, hitting 15 runs from 7 balls.
Brief scores: Pakistan 182/6 in 20 overs (Siam Ayub 45, Babar Azam 57, Iftikhar Ahmed 37 not out; Craig Young 2-27) lost to Ireland 183/5 in 19.5 overs (Andy Balbirnie 77, Harry Tector 35, Curtis Campher 15 not out; Abbas Afridi 2-46) for five wickets.
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