DUBLIN: Pakistan clinched a comfortable victory against Ireland in the second T20I match at the Clontarf Cricket Club in Dublin on Sunday, with Muhammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman’s stellar partnership leading the Men in Green to triumph by seven wickets.
Chasing a challenging target of 194 runs set by Ireland, Pakistan showcased an outstanding batting performance, with Rizwan and Fakhar spearheading the successful chase. The duo’s remarkable 140-run partnership for the third wicket proved to be the game-changer, propelling Pakistan to level the three-match series 1-1.
Pakistan struggled initially in the chase, losing Saim Ayub (6) and skipper Babar Azam (0). However, Rizwan, in a sensational display of batting prowess, remained unbeaten on 75 runs off just 46 deliveries, smashing four boundaries and six towering sixes. Complementing him, Fakhar played a scintillating knock of 78 runs off 40 balls, comprising six fours and an equal number of sixes.
The partnership between Rizwan and Fakhar not only secured Pakistan’s victory but also broke the record for Pakistan’s highest partnership for the third wicket in T20Is, surpassing the previous record of 105 runs set by Rizwan and Haider Ali.
Wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan took on the Ireland bowlers, smacking 30 off 10 which included a four and four maximums.
Earlier in the match, Ireland had set a challenging target of 194 runs for Pakistan after posting a total of 193/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Despite a strong start by Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi, who claimed the first two wickets, Ireland managed to build a competitive total.
However, Pakistan’s bowlers, including Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, and Naseem Shah, made crucial breakthroughs to restrict Ireland’s scoring. Shaheen Afridi picked up three wickets, albeit conceding 49 runs, while Abbas Afridi and Naseem Shah contributed with two and one wicket(s) respectively.
With this victory, Pakistan has leveled the series 1-1. The series finale will be held at the same venue on April 14.
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
