Defending champions Pakistan defeated Ireland by three wickets to earn a point in a meaningless T20 World Cup encounter.
Former champions Pakistan recovered some prestige with a gruelling three-wicket victory over Ireland in the T20 World Cup’s insignificant final on Sunday. The 2009 winners, who were ousted after losing to India and the United States in their previous group matches, restricted Ireland to 106 for 9 after deciding to bowl, with Shaheen Shah Afridi (3/22) leading the charge. Despite chasing a manageable goal, Pakistan’s frail batting was once again exposed, slumping to 62 for six in 11 overs, raising the prospect of another collapse. But skipper Babar Azam (32 not out) and Abbas Afridi (17) combined for a 33-run stand to finish on 111 for 7 in 18.5 overs.
Two massive sixes in Shaheen Afridi’s 5-ball 13-run innings proved to be the clinching blow.
While Ireland finished the campaign without a victory, Pakistan persevered in the end despite the best efforts of Pacers Barry McCarthy (3/15), Curtis Campher (2/24) and Mark Adair (1/24).
Saim Ayub, the first batsman for Pakistan, looked sharp as he struck two fours and a six before top-edging Adair to keeper Lorcan Tucker while pursuing. When Pakistan was 39 for 2, McCarthy sent Mohammad Rizwan back after he had smashed three fours.
After losing four quick wickets in the next three overs, Pakistan was in serious trouble: Fakhar Zaman (5), Usman Khan (2), Shadab Khan (0), and Imad Wasim (4).
At the other end, Babar held on while Abbas scored a 21-ball 17 before Shaheen delivered two huge strokes to end the match.
Afridi and Amir left Ireland reeling at 4 for three in the second over, capping a nightmare start for the team earlier.
Afridi, a left-arm pacer, removed Andrew Balbirnie (0) and Tucker (2) in the first over after striking twice in three deliveries. After that, Amir caught Ireland’s captain Paul Stirling (1) off guard, leaving the top order in disarray.
After surviving a caught-behind appeal, Afridi trapped Harry Tector with a fuller delivery that struck his back leg in the following ball, bringing Ireland down to 15 for 4 in three overs.
After half of the Irish team returned to the hut during powerplay, George Dockrell hit two fours to slightly lessen the pressure. However, he was caught and bowled by Amir, who tricked him with a slower ball.
Then Rauf arrived and eliminated Campher, who had gone for a pull only to have the top-edge land safely in Ayub’s grasp.
In the ninth over, Delany hit spinner Shadab Khan for a six over long on to take the team score to fifty. He then clobbered the opening six of Ireland’s innings against Rauf. After Rauf failed to make an overhead catch at the boundary, Delany scored a four to end the over.
After Delany, Abbas was the next to strike, hitting a deep square leg maximum with a pitched-up delivery from the bowler.After that, Imad entered the attack. He removed the intimidating-looking Delany with a ball that bounced and spun, breaking the 44-run stand and bringing Ireland down to 76 for 7.
Ten is the number Ireland then passed the 100-run mark when Joshua Little (22 not out) tossed his bat. But it came too little, too late.
