IRE vs PAK: Ireland shock Pakistan in 1st T20I after Andrew Balbirnie heroics

Ireland recorded a stunning 5-wicket win over Pakistan in the first T20I of the 3-match series on Friday, May 10 at the Clontarf Cricket Club Ground in Dublin. Their former skipper Andrew Balbirnie was the star after playing a masterful knock under pressure. With a 1-0 lead, Paul Stirling and Co. will now look to win the series when the teams next meet on Sunday.

Ireland vs Pakistan, 1st T20I: Highlights

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Pakistan would be very disappointed with their performance. After being asked to bat first, the visitors scored 182 for the loss of 6 wickets. Mohammad Rizwan departed early, but skipper Babar Azam and Saim Ayub put on 85 runs for the second wicket.

Babar scored 57 runs from 43 balls and equaled Virat Kohli’s tally of over 50 scores in T20Is (38). Ayub, on the other hand, hit 4 fours and 3 sixes before scoring 45 off 29. Fakhar Zaman couldn’t get going and scored 20 before Mark Adair accounted for his wicket. Azam Khan and Shadab Khan failed to open their accounts.

Iftikhar Ahmed used the long handle to good effect and was not out on 37 off 15 with 3 fours and as many sixes. Shaheen Shah Afridi also hit a couple of sixes to remain unbeaten at 14 for 8. Craig Young was the pick of the Irish bowlers with figures of 4-0-27-2. Adair and Gareth Delany got a wicket each.

Balbirnie brings Ireland home in thriller

Ireland found themselves in trouble early on when Naseem Shah and Abbas Afridi dismissed Paul Stirling and Lorcan Tucker respectively. Subsequently, Balbirnie and Harry Tector added momentum to the innings with a 77-run stand for the third wicket. Imad Wasim separated the duo after getting rid of Tector, who made 36 off 27.

Balbirnie, at the other end, brought up his half-century off 36 balls to keep Ireland in the race. He received suitable support from George Dockrell, Delany and Curtis Campher, all of whom contributed with useful hits. Shaheen removed Balbirnie, who scored 77 runs off 55 balls and put Ireland under pressure.

With 11 runs needed in the final over, Curtis Campher hit Abbas Afridi for a couple of fours to take Ireland over the line with one ball to spare.