Babar Azam kept his calm to help Pakistan chase down the 107-run target and end the disappointing T20 World Cup 2024 campaign with a nervy win over Ireland in Florida on Sunday. Pakistan’s pace attack, led by Shaheen Afridi, restricted Ireland to a meager 106 for nine in a T20 World Cup match on Sunday. Despite the game being inconsequential in tournament progression, Pakistan’s bowlers showcased their dominance, leaving Ireland’s batsmen struggling from the outset. Shaheen Afridi set the tone with figures of 3/22, while Mohammad Amir (2/11) and Haris Rauf (1/17) exploited the conditions superbly, reducing Ireland to a disastrous 32 for six during the powerplay. Left-arm spinner Imad Wasim joined the fray, claiming three wickets for just eight runs, ensuring Ireland never recovered.
Ireland’s top-scorer Gareth Delany provided some resistance with a brisk 31 off 19 balls, including three sixes and a four. Contributions from Mark Adair (15) and George Dockrell (11) helped, but number 10 batsman Joshua Little’s unbeaten 22 pushed Ireland past the 100 mark. The nightmare began early for Ireland, as Afridi and Amir dismantled their top order within the first two overs. Afridi struck twice in his opening over, dismissing Andrew Balbirnie (0) and Lorcan Tucker (2). Amir compounded the pressure by having skipper Paul Stirling (1) caught behind, leaving Ireland reeling at 4 for three.
Harry Tector briefly steadied the ship but fell victim to Afridi’s fuller delivery, trapping him LBW and reducing Ireland to 15 for four after three overs. George Dockrell managed to hit two boundaries but was deceived by Amir’s slower ball, resulting in a simple caught and bowled. Curtis Campher was next to go, mistiming a pull shot off Rauf, which was safely caught by Saim Ayub. Delany offered a glimmer of hope with some aggressive hitting, including a six off Rauf and another off Shadab Khan, bringing up Ireland’s fifty. However, his counter-attack was cut short when Imad Wasim’s spin and bounce induced an edge, breaking a 44-run stand with Ireland at 76 for seven. Imad continued his excellent spell, dismissing Adair with a delivery that found the fielder, further compounding Ireland.
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