Led by Shaheen Afridi’s 3-22 and a crucial 13* towards the end, Pakistan registered a three-wicket win against Ireland in Florida on Sunday, in what was their last contest of the 2024 T20 World Cup. The Babar Azam-led side struggled on their way to a 107-run chase but overhauled the target with seven balls to spare and ended Ireland’s campaign on a winless note.
The difference: Powerplay
Pakistan took early control of the contest by dismissing Ireland’s top five in the first six overs. Even as Ireland clawed their way back, the early dent proved costly. Moreover, in the same period with the bat, Mohammad Rizwan and Saim Ayub provided a quick start which wiped out nearly 40 percent of Pakistan’s runs. Ireland’s fightback in the middle overs with the ball wasn’t enough to clinch a win.
At the toss:
Babar Azam won the toss and elected to field. Pakistan included Abbas Afridi in the XI in place of Naseem Shah while Ireland included Ben White in place of Craig Young.
IRELAND
Powerplay: Shaheen, Amir rip through Ireland top order
Phase score: 32/5 (RR: 5.33; 4x4s, 0x6s)
On a fresh pitch that was under the cover for two days, the left-arm duo of Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Amir ripped through Ireland’s top order, dismissing their top half within the powerplay. The moving ball caused trouble to the batters early on. George Dockrell hit a couple of assertive drives, but departed even before the field restrictions could be lifted. However, during this period, Pakistan also burnt both their reviews.
Middle overs: Imad strikes after Delany counterattack
Phase score: 54/4 (RR: 6.00; 3x4s, 3x6s)
Curtis Campher departed three balls after the powerplay, but Gareth Delany and Mark Adair went on the counteroffensive, especially the former. With Haris Rauf operating at short of good length and Abbas Afridi not finding his lines and lengths, and his slower balls proving ineffective enough, Ireland managed to get a push through the middle overs. Shadab Khan, who was brought into the attack after not getting a chance to bowl in the two previous games, was also put away effectively. However, the two batters made life difficult for themselves by experimenting too much against Imad Wasim who kept a stump-to-stump line. The left-arm spinner was duly rewarded, with Delany getting the outside edge to Shaheen and Adair holing out in the deep, where Shaheen held on to the catch despite a collision. Barry McCarthy missed the line and was cleaned up.
Death overs: Little pushes Ireland past 100
Phase score: 20/0 (RR: 4.00; 1x4s, 0x6s)
With just one wicket to get in the death overs, Pakistan went for the kill but Josh Little and Ben White did well to take the game till the last ball. Abbas’s struggles continued and Little took advantage of that to ensure that the last wicket pair added 26 runs and took the side to 106 for 9.
PAKISTAN
Powerplay: Rizwan, Saim provide quick start
Phase score: 40/2 (RR: 6.67; 5x4s, 1x6s)
Pakistan made an aggressive start to the run chase with Mohammad Rizwan stepping out and hammering Mark Adair for a boundary down the ground. Saim Ayub also took the aggressive route, plundering Josh Little for a couple of boundaries after whipping Adair for a six. Both the openers departed in the Powerplay, but gave Pakistan a strong foundation in the chase.
Middle overs: Ireland strike back
Phase score: 41/4 (RR: 4.56; 4x4s, 0x6s)
Ireland pulled back the momentum with a flurry of wickets. Barry McCarthy was especially effective with his stringent lines. Curtis Campher and McCarthy struck twice each through this period, and also controlled Pakistan’s scoring rate. While Babar Azam held one end strong, wickets continued to tumble from the other end, complicating Pakistan’s position in what should have been yet again a comfortable run chase.
Death overs: Shaheen completes the chase
Phase score: 30/1 in 3.5 overs (RR: 7.83; 0x4s, 3x6s)
Abbas Afridi provided Babar the much needed support as the duo attempted to take the game deep. Ireland bowlers ensured that Babar was kept away from strike for most of the deliveries in the late overs. In the 18th over, looking to hit a six, Abbas holed out to the long on fielder. Even as Ireland had an over of Little left, Delany was brought on to bowl the penultimate over with run-a-ball needed. Shaheen hit a couple of massive sixes to ensure the chase didn’t go into the final over.
Brief Scores: Ireland 106/9 in 20 overs (Gareth Delany 31, Joshua Little 22*; Imad Wasim 3-8, Shaheen Afridi 3-22) lost to Pakistan 111/7 in 18.5 overs (Babar Azam 32*; Barry McCarthy 3-15, Curtis Campher 2-24) by 3 wickets
