T20 WC 2024, Match 36: Pakistan end their campaign with 3-wicket win over Ireland - Cricket Winner

In an exciting Group A clash at the T20 World Cup 2024, Pakistan managed to edge out Ireland by three wickets at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, Florida. Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl, aiming to end their campaign with a victory despite both teams already being eliminated from the tournament.

First Innings: Ireland’s batting

Ireland’s innings got off to a disastrous start. The Pakistani left-arm speedsters Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Amir wreaked havoc, reducing Ireland to a mere 28/5 within the powerplay. Shaheen Afridi was particularly effective, using his swing and pace to dismantle the top order.

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Despite the early setbacks, Ireland managed to scrape together 106 runs. This was largely due to a fighting partnership between Gareth Delany and Mark Adair. Delany played a crucial innings, hitting three sixes to boost the total. Joshua Little added a quick 22 runs, helping Ireland cross the 100-run mark, which seemed modest but defensible on a tricky pitch.

Pakistan’s Bowling Performance

Shaheen Afridi was exceptional, claiming three wickets early on and setting the tone for the innings. His ability to swing the ball both ways made it extremely difficult for the Irish batsmen to settle.

Mohammad Amir supported brilliantly, picking up two crucial wickets and maintaining consistent pressure from the other end. Haris Rauf and Imad Wasim also contributed significantly, with Imad grabbing three wickets and Rauf one, ensuring that Ireland could never recover fully.

Pakistan’s chase

Chasing 107, Pakistan needed a solid start, but their innings was marred by a middle-order collapse. The approach was to build steady partnerships and avoid unnecessary risks. However, they stumbled from a comfortable 52/2 to a precarious 62/6, giving Ireland hope of an upset.

Middle-Order collapse

Pakistan’s middle-order collapse was dramatic and unexpected. Key batsmen like Shan Masood and Iftikhar Ahmed fell cheaply, putting immense pressure on the remaining batsmen. Ireland’s bowlers, particularly the seamers, took advantage of the conditions and bowled with discipline.

Babar Azam’s role

Babar Azam, Pakistan’s captain, played a crucial innings to steady the ship. His unbeaten 32 runs were vital in anchoring the chase. Supported by the Afridis, Babar ensured that Pakistan did not face another embarrassing defeat. His calm and composed approach under pressure highlighted his importance to the team.

Ireland’s bowling strategy

Ireland’s bowling strategy was commendable. Barry McCarthy and other seamers bowled crucial spells, making timely breakthroughs. However, skipper Paul Stirling’s decision to exhaust all his seamers early meant that the leg-spinners, Gareth Delany and Ben White, had to bowl the final overs, where they struggled to contain the Pakistani batters.

Most runs as captain in T20 WCs:
549 – Babar Azam (17 inns)*
529 – MS Dhoni (29 inns)
527 – Kane Williamson (19 inns)
360 – M Jayawardene (11 inns)
352 – Graeme Smith (16 inns)

Player of the match

Shaheen Afridi | Player of the Match: Wicket was supporting for the new ball, we just tried to hit our good areas and strike early. Our plans were a success. My idea is to bowl fuller, we were trying to hit our areas. We didn’t play good cricket which our country demands. There are few areas we need to improve quickly, Champions Trophy is coming. We have to improve and we’ll have to grow as a team. Crowd – they always come and support us, thank you everyone for the support. It’s tough times but they always come and support us, that’s what we need as a team. That’s my job, I come late (to bat) in the innings, I just hit. The team needed it. Always trying to hit sixes.

Most PoTM awards for PAK in T20 WCs:
4 – Shahid Afridi
3 – Umar Gul
3 – Shaheen Afridi