ISLAMABAD: Ireland skipper and the number three batter Lorcan Tucker’s terrific inning of 73 on just 41 balls drove Ireland to a fighting total of 178 for the loss of 7 wickets against Pakistan in the third and decisive contest of the three T20I series being played at Dublin here on Tuesday.
Earlier winning the toss Babar Azam invited Ireland to bat first. Both openers of Ireland Ross Adair and Andrew Balbirnie took a cautious start, however Shaheen Afridi managed to get rid of Ross Adair in the 3rd over. He scored 7 runs and was replaced by the skipper Lorcan Tucker who promoted himself up the order. He along with Andrew Balbirnie put a solid 85-run partnership for the team.
Balbirnie scored 35 before he was dismissed by Abbas Afridi. However, on the other hand, the skipper continued his inning and completed his brilliant half-century. He also accelerated the scoreboard and added a superb inning of 73 runs on 41 balls.
Other batters also contributed to the total. At the same time, Pakistani pacers managed to get wickets with interval. Ireland scored 178 for the loss of 7 wickets in 20 overs.
From Pakistan Shaheen Afridi was the leading wicket-taker while grabbing 3 for 14 in his 4-over spill. Abbas Afridi took 2 wickets while Muhammad Amir and Imad Waseem took 1 wicket each.
Both the teams have one victory each and today’s match would decide the winner of the series.
Ireland won the first Two against Pakistan to make history as the first T20 win against the guest side in history. Pakistan however bounced back amid the splendid performance of Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Rizwan and some power-hitting by Azam Khan at the end to win the second T20 last Sunday.
In today’s squad Naseen Shah has been rested, whereas Hasan Ali was given a chance to become part of the playing eleven.
Pakistan Squad
Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Hassan Ali, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir
Ireland Squad
Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (c & wk), Ben White, Craig Young
Following is the Schedule of the Pakistan vs Ireland series followed by the series with England and the mega ICC World Cup T20 to be held in the US and West Indies.
Schedule of Pakistan-Ireland Series
May 10: First T20I at Clontarf: Ireland won by 5 Wickets
May 12: Second T20I at Clontarf: Pakistan Won by 7 wickets
Today: Third T20I at Clontarf
After the Ireland series, The Green Shirts will depart for England to play four matches starting on May 22.
Pakistan Tour of England
May 22: First T20I at Leeds
May 25: Second T20I at Birmingham
May 28: Third T20I at Cardiff
May 30: Fourth T20I at The Oval
Later the Team would depart for the USA to take part in the ICC t20 World Cup.
Pakistan’s Initial Games in T20 World Cup 2024
June 6: Pakistan vs USA, Dallas
June 9: Pakistan vs India, New York
June 11: Pakistan vs Canada, New York
June 16: Pakistan vs Ireland, Lauderhill
