PAK Vs IRE, ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Highlights: Shaheen Afridi, The Bowler, Saves Pakistan's Batting Unit As They Win By 3 Wickets

PAK concluded their campaign with a three wicket victory against IRE. Though not without a scare, the middle-order collapse, where they went from 52/2 to 62/6, gave Ireland a glimmer of hope. However, Babar Azam's steady presence at the crease prevented further mishaps. Contributions from the two Afridis, particularly with the bat, were crucial in supporting Babar and steering Pakistan to the win. Ireland fought valiantly, despite their low total. Pakistan’s batting throughout the tournament was disappointing. They struggled on difficult pitches and ultimately, their batting frailties led to their early exit. At the end, Shaheen Afridi's two sixes proved vital in securing the much-needed win for Pakistan.

Pakistan win the toss and opt to bowl first.

Ireland: Paul Stirling(c), Andrew Balbirnie, Lorcan Tucker(w), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little, Benjamin White

Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan(w), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam(c), Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Amir

In his first over, Shaheen Afridi claimed two crucial wickets for Pakistan. Lorcan Tucker edged one narrowly past the stumps, while Andrew Balbirnie was bowled clean as he missed his drive, departing for a golden duck. Afridi's early strikes put Ireland under pressure right from the start of the match.

Ireland 4/2

Pakistan's bowlers and fielders have tightened the screws on Ireland, not allowing them any breathing space in the match. Mohammad Amir struck early by dismissing Paul Stirling, who tried to drive a seaming delivery but only managed to edge it to wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan. Stirling departed after scoring just 1 run off 2 balls, adding to Ireland's woes as Pakistan's dominance in the field continued to grow.

Ireland 10/3

Shaheen Afridi strikes again, trapping Harry Tector lbw. Ireland might regret not reviewing it; the ball was full, almost a yorker, and hit Tector's back leg. It looked very close to clipping the outside of leg stump. Tector struggled against the high-quality bowling and departs without scoring, courtesy of Afridi's skillful delivery.

Ireland 15/4

Shaheen Afridi to Dockrell, FOUR! Dockrell finally finds his rhythm with an elegant shot. He kneels down, gets underneath the ball, and elegantly lofts it over cover, sending it racing to the boundary. This boundary gets Dockrell off the mark in style. And yes, there we go- another four.

Ireland 28/4

Amir dismisses Dockrell caught and bowled! Half of Ireland's side is back in the pavilion. Amir's slower delivery at 73.3 mph proves his experience; it was a cutter that Dockrell mistimed in his push. The ball lobbed up, and Amir grabbed it himself, showcasing his skillful bowling variation. Gareth Delany walks in with a Four.

Ireland 32/5

Haris Rauf to Curtis Campher, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!! Campher attempts a forceful pull shot to a back-of-a-length delivery, but mistimes it badly, resulting in a massive top-edge. The ball spirals straight up into the air, and Saim Ayub at square leg settles comfortably under it to complete the catch. Haris Rauf strikes early in his spell, delivering at close to 84 mph.

Campher's aggressive intent backfires, costing him dearly as he departs for 7 runs off 14 balls, including one boundary. Mark Adair In.

Ireland 37/6

Shadab Khan to Delany, SIX! Delany capitalizes on a fuller delivery, getting underneath it and launching it over long-on. It's a massive hit, showcasing Delany's excellent form. The spinner's introduction into the attack is greeted with a powerful stroke from Delany.

Ireland 60/6

Abbas Afridi to Delany, SIX! Delany stands tall and smashes a fullish delivery around off stump high and long, sending it sailing over the boundary.

Ireland 76/6

Imad Wasim gets Delany caught by Shadab Khan! It's Imad Wasim's first wicket of the World Cup. Delany, who had put on a 44-run partnership, falls victim to a slower, drifting delivery that spins away and bounces decently. Trying to work it into the leg-side from the back foot, Delany closes his bat-face too soon, resulting in a leading edge straight to point. It's a soft dismissal, bringing an end to Delany's courageous innings.

Ireland 77/7

Haris Rauf to Joshua Little, FOUR! Little backs away and swings hard at a short-of-length delivery, connecting well as he sends it racing through midwicket. The ball finds the gap perfectly and races away to the boundary. Looks like there's still a last hope.

Ireland 105/9

In the final over bowled by Imad, Joshua Little attempts a switch hit on the first ball, lofting it over point for a couple. However, he faces three consecutive dot balls thereafter. Little tries a slog sweep and misses, resulting in another dot ball. He manages to push the ball down the ground for a single on the last ball of the innings, bringing Ireland's total to 106/9.

Mark Adair to Rizwan, FOUR! Rizwan charges down the track to the bowler, adjusts to the movement, and smashes it past the left side for a boundary towards long-off.

Pakistan 4/0

Saim Ayub executes one of his favorite shots, using his bottom hand to perfection. He dispatches a leg-lined length ball over deep square leg for a powerful six.

Pakistan 18/0

Mark Adair delivered a crucial breakthrough for Ireland by dismissing Saim Ayub for 17 runs. The ball flew high in the air, but Lorcan Tucker, the wicketkeeper, showed excellent composure and agility as he circled back to take the catch. Ayub's departure marked an important breakthrough for Ireland early in the innings, disrupting Pakistan's steady start.

Pakistan 37/1

McCarthy to Rizwan, out Caught by Mark Adair!! Adair takes a superb catch at deep backward square leg. He stays inside the boundary line and ensures the catch is clean. Rizwan attempts a heave to a length delivery on the stumps, and Adair leaps to grasp it overhead with both hands. It's a crucial wicket as Rizwan departs for 17 off 16 balls, including three boundaries.

Pakistan 41/2

Benjamin White delivers a poor ball down the leg side, allowing Babar Azam to pull it over backward square leg for a boundary, despite it being a googly.

Pakistan 52/3

McCarthy to Usman Khan, out Caught by Tector!! Pakistan finds themselves in a bit of trouble. A length delivery on off suddenly shoots up unexpectedly, taking the shoulder of Usman Khan's bat as he tries to defend. The ball loops to backward point where Tector takes a comfortable catch. Usman Khan acknowledges to Babar Azam that the bounce caught him by surprise. Shadab Khan walks in and out of nowhere- he walks back to pavilion early.

Pakistan 65/6

Mark Adair to Babar Azam, 2 runs! Babar Azam pulls a short delivery outside off, placing it wide of mid-wicket to collect another couple of runs.

Pakistan 75/6

Babar Azam knows how important he is at this point for the game, his batting mastery against Joshua Little, taking advantage of a half-volley. With precision timing and placement, Azam confidently leaned into the shot and drove the ball wide of both cover and sweeper cover for a boundary, highlighting his awareness and skill in manipulating the field placements.

Pakistan 96/7

Pakistan defeated Ireland by three wickets in their Group A clash of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, Florida on Sunday, concluding their campaign with a victory. Afridi stole the show with stellar performances in both bowling and batting.

We finished well, we took early wickets in the bowling. In the batting we did not do well but we took it home. Bowling was good as conditions suit our fast bowlers. Batting we made a few mistakes, we had chances to win against USA and India. If the team needs me to open, I will and if they need me to bat 3, I will. Whatever the team situation suits I will do it. We have a good bunch of players, a few days rest and then there is a series. We will sit and assess where we went wrong. As a team we are not good in this tournament.

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.

That's all from us. Will see you all again with another coverage, another match.