Cricket
Follow highlights of PAK vs IRE T20 World Cup 2024 match here.
Updated : Jun 16, 2024, 11:47 PM IST
Babar Azam and his team are gearing up to redeem themselves as they face off against a struggling Ireland in their last Group A match of the 2024 T20 World Cup in Lauderhill, Florida this Sunday.
After India and the USA secured their spots in the Super Eight stage, Pakistan is left reflecting on their T20 performance. However, their chance to showcase improvement relies on the weather cooperating, as Florida has been experiencing heavy rain recently.
Ireland previously defeated Pakistan in a bilateral match leading up to the T20 World Cup, setting the stage for an intense showdown between the two green-clad teams. It's sure to be a battle to the end if the game goes ahead as planned.
Six! Shaheen elegantly drops to one knee and effortlessly sweeps the ball along the ground for a maximum. Another six! With a powerful slog sweep, Shaheen launches the ball over deep midwicket. And there it is! Pakistan emerges victorious by three wickets. What a thrilling finish!
Usman is out! What an exciting turn of events! Another wicket falls as Usman attempts to play on the front foot but edges the ball to Tector.
Now, Shadab Khan steps up. McCarthy bowls to Shadab, and he's out too! The game is far from over! Shadab is dismissed for a two-ball duck.
Fakhar Zaman is caught by substitute fielder Ross Adair off the bowling of Curtis Campher on the very first ball! It was a full wobble-seam delivery outside off, and Fakhar Zaman attempted to clear mid-off but ended up getting caught.
Saim Ayub is caught by Tucker!! Tucker, the keeper, runs back and circles around it, managing to hold onto the catch. The delivery was 123.3kph, fuller than a length. Saim Ayub attempted to whip it over square leg, but the ball flew up off the top-edge. Tucker's quick reflexes and determination secured the catch.
Little confidently goes for the switch hit on the first ball and expertly sends the ball soaring over point for a quick couple. Three dot balls follow, but Little remains determined. Little narrowly misses connecting with the ball.
FOUR! Dockrell confidently faces the first three deliveries before smashing the short ball over cover for his first boundary. And another FOUR! This time, Shaheen delivers a full-length ball, but Dockrell leans forward and executes a magnificent drive over extra cover.
BOWLED! A perfect full delivery, swinging in, and just like that, Shaheen knocks down Balbirnie in just three deliveries!
GONE! What a phenomenal start from Pakistan! Shaheen maintained a challenging line, causing Tucker to edge the ball behind the keeper Rizwan.
Ireland: Paul Stirling(c), Andrew Balbirnie, Lorcan Tucker(w), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little, Benjamin White
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan(w), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam(c), Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Abbas Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Amir
Babar Azam: We'll have a bowl first. Last three days, the pitch has been covered, little bit moisture on it. As a professional, you need to prepare for every match. We'll look to play our best. We have one change. Naseem isn't playing, Abbas is playing
Paul Stirling: That's what we would have done (bowl first). Under the covers for a while, there'll be a little bit up top. Hopefully we can through that and put a score on the board. We put one on the board, got 1-0 up in the series (against Pakistan) and then didn't manage to go on and win it. World Cup brings a different scenario, another great game hopefully. Young miss out today, Ben White is in.
Ireland: Andrew Balbirnie, Paul Stirling(c), Lorcan Tucker(w), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little, Craig Young, Benjamin White, Graham Hume, Neil Rock, Ross Adair
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan(w), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam(c), Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Amir, Iftikhar Ahmed, Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Abbas Afridi