DUBLIN: Pakistan on Sunday won the toss and opted to bowl first in the second T20I against Ireland at Clontarf Cricket Club in Dublin.
The toss was initially delayed due to heavy rain, but after the weather cleared up, Pakistan’s captain made the decision to field first.
Both teams made one change each to their playing XI. For Ireland, Barry McCarthy replaced Graham Hume, while Pakistan welcomed back experienced pacer Mohammad Amir, who returned to the playing XI in place of Shadab Khan. Shadab Khan had an underwhelming performance in the first T20I, failing to contribute with the bat and conceding 54 runs in four overs with the ball.
Ireland currently holds the advantage in the three-match series after securing a surprising five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the series opener at Castle Avenue on Friday.
In the first match, Pakistan, batting first, posted a competitive total of 182/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Babar Azam led the charge with a solid half-century, scoring 57 runs off 43 balls, supported by opener Saim Ayub’s contribution of 45 runs. Iftikhar Ahmed’s late flourish with an unbeaten 37 bolstered Pakistan’s total.
In response, Ireland successfully chased down the target with five wickets in hand and a ball to spare, propelled by a resilient partnership between Harry Tector and Andrew Balbirnie. Tector scored 36 off 27 deliveries, while Balbirnie remained unbeaten with a stellar knock of 77 runs off 55 balls, guiding Ireland to victory with his composed innings.
Pakistan Playing XI
Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir
Ireland Playing XI
Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Andrew Bilbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Ben White, Craig Young
