Ireland vs Pakistan (Match 36) – Highlights

In this article, we will discuss Pakistan’s thrilling and complex three-wicket victory over Ireland in their final T20 World Cup match. The game, characterized by dramatic shifts in momentum, saw Pakistan’s star players, Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, rise to the occasion. Shaheen’s early breakthroughs with the ball and his match-winning sixes, combined with Babar’s steadying presence during a faltering chase, were pivotal. 

Despite a formidable start, Pakistan experienced a mid-innings collapse that nearly jeopardized their chase. We will delve into the key moments, individual performances, and strategic decisions that defined this nail-biting encounter.

Pakistan’s final T20 World Cup match was more dramatic than necessary, but Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi ensured a nervy three-wicket victory to conclude their campaign. Shaheen set the tone with three early wickets and sealed the game with two sixes, while Babar anchored the chase with an unbeaten 32 amidst a batting collapse.

Mohammad Amir and Haris Rauf backed up Shaheen’s efforts brilliantly, tearing through Ireland’s top order and leaving them reeling at 32 for 6. An early finish seemed imminent, but Gareth Delany and Mark Adair steadied the innings with a resilient 44-run partnership off 30 balls. 

Imad Wasim, likely playing his last game for Pakistan, cleaned up the lower order with impressive figures of 3 for 8 in four overs. A brief cameo from Josh Little, scoring 22, helped Ireland reach 106.

Pakistan appeared in control of the chase at the eight-over mark, with Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, and Babar Azam nullifying Ireland’s bowling threat. However, a chaotic spell in the middle overs saw Curtis Campher and Barry McCarthy take four wickets for just 10 runs, leaving Babar isolated with a lengthy tail to support him.

Abbas Afridi’s aggressive 17 brought the target down to 12, and a calf injury to Josh Little forced Ireland to bowl spin to Shaheen Shah Afridi. Shaheen capitalized, hitting two decisive sixes to secure a win that provided Pakistan more relief than satisfaction. 

Shaheen, who had gone eight T20Is without a first-over wicket, ended his dry spell with a stellar performance, starting by dismissing Andrew Balbirnie with a ball that swung back in and bowled him. Just two balls later, he induced an edge from Lorcan Tucker, which was safely pouched by Rizwan. A near hat-trick ensued as a review for leg-before against Harry Tector was overturned, but Shaheen had his man in the following over, trapping Tector plumb in front.

At 32 for 6, Ireland’s chances of recovery seemed slim. Yet, their determination to attack paid off as Delany and Adair targeted Shadab Khan and Abbas Afridi, respectively, accumulating valuable runs. Despite another slump from 76 for 6 to 80 for 9, Little and Ben White added an unbeaten 26 runs for the last wicket, keeping Ireland’s hopes alive until the end.

Pakistan’s chase, which appeared straightforward, mirrored their tumultuous campaign. Halfway through, they needed just 55 runs with eight wickets in hand. However, the dismissal of Fakhar Zaman at mid-off initiated a collapse. 

Usman Khan fell to McCarthy’s extra bounce, and Shadab, struggling for form, was caught behind off his second ball. Imad Wasim’s attempt to break free ended with a catch at point. A faltering top order and a fragile middle order encapsulated Pakistan’s struggles, yet they managed to scrape through, epitomizing their unpredictable World Cup journey.

Ireland vs Pakistan Scoreboard

Ireland – 106/9 (20.0)

Pakistan – 111/7 (18.5)

Result – Pakistan won by 3 wickets

Player of the match – Shaheen Shah Afridi

Shaheen Shah Afridi

Ireland vs Pakistan Playing XIs

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