DUBLIN: Pakistan defeated Ireland by six wickets in yet another one-sided match to win the three-match T20I series 2-1 at the Clontarf Cricket Club in Dublin on Tuesday.
Led by Babar Azam, the Pakistani unit showcased resilience and dominance after a shaky start in the first match, ultimately sealing the series with back-to-back wins.
Despite a disappointing start to their chase of Ireland’s 179-run target, Pakistan emerged victorious. Pakistan, once again, had a disappointing start as opener Saim Ayub departed for the pavilion after contributing just 14 runs.
Babar Azam, along with Mohammad Rizwan, forged a remarkable 139-run partnership, steering Pakistan towards victory and etching their names in cricketing history. Their partnership milestone of 3,000 runs, coupled with an unprecedented ten-century stands, solidified their status as a formidable batting duo. The closest to them is India’s pair of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul with five-century partnerships.
Babar Azam, in a display of his batting prowess, exhibited sheer dominance by smashing three consecutive sixes and four in an over off Benjamin White, a feat unprecedented in his career.
Following Rizwan (56 runs off 38 balls) and Babar (75 runs off 42 balls) departures, Azam Khan (18 runs off 6 balls) took Pakistan over the line as the visitors chased down the target in 17 overs.
In the first innings, Pakistan’s bowlers showcased their mettle by restricting Ireland to 178/7 despite a strong start from the home side. Ross Adair’s early dismissal by Shaheen Afridi set the tone for Pakistan’s bowling attack. However, Andy Balbirnie and Lorcan Tucker posed a threat with their aggressive batting, reaching the 100-run mark in 10.4 overs. Tucker’s resilient 73 off 41 balls, comprising 13 fours and a six, proved crucial for Ireland’s total.
Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi emerged as the MVP with the ball, conceding only 14 runs while claiming three wickets in his four-over spell. Mohammad Amir and Abbas Afridi also made significant contributions, ensuring Pakistan’s dominance in the crucial match.
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