Pakistan clinches a tense 3-wicket victory over Ireland in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. © Twitter (@toisports)
Thanks to outstanding performances by Shaheen Shah Afridi and Babar Azam, Pakistan defeated Ireland by three wickets in an exciting match at Lauderhill on June 16, 2024, for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Despite a modest target of 107, Pakistan’s chase was far from straightforward, but they managed to cross the finish line with seven balls to spare.
Match Summary
Ireland 106/9 (20) | |
Gareth Delany 31 (19) | Imad Wasim |
Josh Little 22 (18) | Shaheen Shah Afridi |
Mark Adair 15 (19) | Mohammad Amir |
Pakistan 111/7 (18.5) | |
Babar Azam (c) 32 (34) | Barry McCarthy |
Mohammad Rizwan 17 (16) | Curtis Campher |
Saim Ayub 17 (17) | Mark Adair |
Toss: Pakistan won the throw and chose to field first.
Stadium: Central Broward Regional Park Stadium, Lauderhill
Result: Pakistan won by three wickets (with seven balls remaining)
Player of the Match: Shaheen Shah Afridi – 3/22 (4) & 13 (5)
Shaheen Afridi Shines with the Ball
Pakistan’s bowling spearhead, Shaheen Shah Afridi, delivered a masterclass in left-arm swing bowling. Breaking his eight-match drought without a first-over wicket, Afridi struck on his third ball, dismantling Andrew Balbirnie’s stumps. He followed up with the crucial wickets of Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector, finishing with impressive figures in his four overs 3/22.
Imad Wasim provided excellent support, choking the Irish lower order with his left-arm spin. Wasim’s economical 3/8 from four overs ensured Ireland could not build any substantial partnerships, reducing them to a precarious 32/6 at one stage.
Ireland’s Gritty Fightback
Ireland, however, showed commendable resilience. Gareth Delany’s aggressive 31 off 19 balls and Josh Little’s late cameo of 22 from 18 balls was instrumental in dragging Ireland to a total of 106/9. Delany and Mark Adair (15 off 19) stitched together a vital 44-run partnership that brought some respectability to the scoreline.
Little and Ben White’s unbeaten 26-run stand for the last wicket added crucial runs in the final overs, pushing Ireland past the 100-run mark and giving their bowlers something to defend.
Pakistan’s Tumultuous Chase
Pakistan’s chase began confidently, with Saim Ayub and Mohammad Rizwan laying a solid foundation. However, Ireland’s bowlers, led by Barry McCarthy (3/15) and Curtis Campher (2/24), triggered a mid-innings collapse that left Pakistan reeling. At one point, Pakistan lost four wickets for just ten runs, turning what seemed like a straightforward chase into a nerve-wracking contest.
Captain Babar Azam’s calm and composed 32 not out from 34 balls was crucial. He anchored the innings, ensuring he stayed till the end despite the chaos at the other end. Abbas Afridi’s brisk 17 and Shaheen Afridi’s two heaved sixes in the penultimate over was decisive, sealing the win for Pakistan.
Key Takeaways
- Shaheen Afridi’s All-Round Brilliance: Afridi’s early breakthroughs with the ball and his crucial 13 not out from 5 balls under pressure highlighted his value to the team.
- Ireland’s Spirited Performance: Despite being down and out at 32/6, Ireland fought back valiantly, demonstrating their fighting spirit.
- Babar Azam’s Steadiness: The Pakistan skipper’s unbeaten 32 was the backbone of their innings, showcasing His capacity to manage pressure and guide his team home.
Last Moments
Pakistan’s triumph over Ireland demonstrated their tenacity and capacity to function well under duress. Shaheen Shah Afridi’s brilliance with both bat and ball and Babar Azam’s calm leadership ensured they successfully ended their T20 World Cup campaign. While Ireland’s spirited fightback fell short, they can take pride in their gritty performance against one of the tournament’s stronger teams.