Pakistan found themselves in trouble with bat throughout T20 World Cup 2024. Their batters could not really make an impact on any opposition team in this tournament. Even in their last match against Ireland, Pak batters could not really sail through in the chase. Still, trembling often, they managed to secure their second win before going out.
Going into the details, Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first. Pak’s star bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi and senior Mohammad Amir did not let Irish batters to settle down. They reduced Ireland score to 15/4 in 3 overs. Amir sent back George Dockrell(11) and reduced Ireland score to 28/5 by the end of powerplay.
Gareth Delany(31) and Josh Little(22) helped Ireland to score 106/9 in their 20 overs. Shaheen Shah Afridi(3/22), Imad Wasim(3/8), Mohammad Amir(2/11) and Haris Rauf(1/17) took wickets for Pakistan. In the chase, Pak batters looked uncomfortable and circumspect. Openers Mohammad Rizwan(17), Saim Ayub(17) did give an aggressive start.
But middle order failed to put up any score. Babar Azam at the other end tried to hold one end together. Abbas Afridi(17) helped him to put up a partnership of 33 runs to halt the fall of wickets. Shaheen Shah Afridi scored 13 runs from 5 balls with few blows. And finished the innings in favor of Pakistan.
Babar Azam scored 32 runs from 34 balls. Pakistan scored 111/7 from 18.5 overs to secure a trembling 3 wicket win. Barry McCarthy(3/15), Curtis Campher(2/24) took wickets for Ireland putting Pak under huge pressure in the middle overs. Well, Pak ended their World Cup campaign with a win but their fans are completely disappointed with their performance.