Pakistan beat Ireland by 3 wickets thanks to skipper Babar Azam‘s knock in a thrilling match at Central Broward Park and Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida . Even though both the teams have been eliminated from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, the match brought enough excitement and drama for the cricket fans. Let’s dive into the highlights, key performances and future implications of this gripping game.
Ireland’s batting woes
After winning the toss, Pakistan decided to bowl first which immediately put pressure on the Ireland batting line-up. Ireland’s innings never found momentum as Shaheen Afridi and Imad Wasim wreaked havoc. Afridi and Wasim took three wickets each to ensure Ireland were in trouble throughout the innings.
Shaheen Afridi: 3/18
Imad Wasim: 3/24
Ireland’s Harry Tector tried to stabilize the innings with a cautious 29 runs but the rest of the batting line-up failed to support him. Ireland limped to 106/9 in the allotted 20 overs, a total that seemed insufficient but gave their bowlers some chance to defend.
tense chase in pakistan
Pakistan’s innings got off to a shaky start with a total of 107 runs. Ireland’s bowlers, especially Mark Adair and Barry McCarthy, kept the pressure on by taking wickets early on. Pakistan was struggling at 35/4 at one point, which brought back memories of their inconsistent performance throughout the match.
Enter Babar Azam. The Pakistan captain played a key role and steadied the innings with an unbeaten 32 runs. His clinical innings ensured that Pakistan did not suffer another embarrassing defeat. Despite wickets falling around him, Babar remained calm and led Pakistan to victory by 18.5 runs.
Babar Azam: 36 balls 32*
Mark Adair: 2/19
Barry McCarthy: 2/22
Every innings for Babar is not just about scoring runs; It’s about managing the chase under pressure. He played wisely, rotating the attack when needed and picking up crucial boundaries, which showed why he is one of the best players in the industry.
Main performance: Star of the competition
Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan): His early breakthrough set the tone for Pakistan’s dominance, which ended with impressive figures of 3/18.
Imad Wasim (Pakistan): Supported Afridi well and kept the pressure up with a wicket of his own.
Babar Azam (Pakistan): The main man in the chase, his unbeaten 32 runs was crucial to Pakistan’s victory.
Game impact
Although the match did not affect the knockout stages of the World Cup, it was significant for Pakistan to end their T20 World Cup journey on a positive note. The win brought some comfort to Pakistan fans and players after a disappointing game. It was a learning experience for Ireland, highlighting the areas they need to improve in order to compete at the highest level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pakistan scored 111/7 in 18.5 overs while Ireland scored 106/9 in 20 overs.
Games are held at Central Broward Park and Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida.
Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi and Imad Wasim took 3 wickets each while Babar Azam remained unbeaten on 32 runs.
In the other Group D match at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka defeated the Netherlands by 83 runs.
Both teams have been eliminated, so this game won’t affect the standings, but it will be important for morale.
Conclusion: Pakistan’s gritty victory
Pakistan showed their fighting spirit and Babar Azam’s leadership with a wicket win over Ireland in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Despite a shaky chase, Pakistan emerged victorious, ending their campaign on a high. The match, while unimportant in the grand scheme of the tournament, provided exciting moments for fans and highlighted the unpredictability of T20 cricket.
