• Sportzyverse
• Cricket news
• 05/11/2024
• 0 Comments

In a stunning display of cricketing prowess, Ireland kicked off their three-match T20I series against Pakistan with a resounding five-wicket victory at Castle Avenue in Dublin on Friday, May 10. The triumph not only marked a morale-boosting start to their summer campaign but also served as a statement of intent ahead of their impending encounter with Pakistan in the T20 World Cup scheduled for June.

Reflecting on their strategy against the visitors, Ireland captain Paul Stirling attributed their success to a shrewd decision-making process influenced by Pakistan’s familiarity with flat pitches.

Paul Stirling said, "when you come here, especially from Pakistan, the flattest pitches in the world, ask them to bat first and see what they can get. We were happy to chase 180". pic.twitter.com/jTogsNnSiG

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 11, 2024

“We are absolutely delighted, we wanted to start the summer off well and it was almost a perfect day for us. When you come here, especially from Pakistan, the flattest pitches in the world, ask them to bat first and see what they can get. 170 was OK but we leaked a few, but we were happy to chase 180,” Stirling said in the post-match presentation.

“A brilliant knock from Balbirnie, he got through the powerplay and picked up the pace later on as well. He timed it to perfection, it was a fantastic knock. We have had great games here, especially against Pakistan and to get over the line today is brilliant,” he further added.

Ireland Register a Morale-boosting Victory Ahead of T20 World Cup in June

Opting to field first after winning the toss, Ireland capitalized on the pitch conditions, restricting Pakistan to a modest total of 182/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Despite commendable performances by Pakistan’s Babar Azam (57 off 43) and Saim Ayub (45 off 29), disciplined bowling by Craig Young (2/27) and Joseph Delany (1/11) ensured that the Irish remained in contention.

The Irish chase, however, didn’t begin smoothly, with the hosts finding themselves at 27/2 early on. Yet, a magnificent 77 off 55 balls from seasoned campaigner Andrew Balbirnie turned the tide in Ireland’s favour. Supported by valuable contributions from Harry Tector (36 off 27), George Dockrell (24 off 12), and others, Ireland scripted a historic victory with an over to spare.

Ireland beat Pakistan with a ball to spare in Dublin 🔥#IREvPAK | 🔗: https://t.co/Fgql8RzbBu pic.twitter.com/TTHWKrKUrn

— ICC (@ICC) May 10, 2024

Stirling lauded Balbirnie’s match-winning innings, emphasizing his ability to pace the chase effectively. He also highlighted Ireland’s dominance over Pakistan at home, citing their previous encounters as a testament to their competitive spirit and resilience.

With the series opener firmly in their grasp, Ireland holds an early 1-0 lead, setting the stage for an intriguing showdown in the subsequent matches. As the Babar Azam-led side seeks to regroup and bounce back, all eyes are on the upcoming fixtures, with the second T20I scheduled to take place at the same venue on Sunday.

Also read Scotland and Ireland Announce Squads for T20 World Cup

Beyond the immediate series implications, Ireland’s triumph serves as a significant milestone in their preparations for the T20 World Cup. The victory instils confidence within the squad and underscores their ability to compete against top-tier opposition on the global stage.