Pakistan eased past Ireland in the second T20I after chasing down a challenging 194-run target with consummate ease to square the series 1-1 with a game to spare. The Clontarf Cricket Club Ground in Dublin witnessed a high-scoring encounter on Sunday, May 12, as Pakistan bounced back emphatically after losing the first game in the three-match series.
Visiting skipper Babar Azam won the toss and invited Ireland to bat first. The hosts lost their openers cheaply as Shaheen Afridi dismissed them in the fourth over, but Lorcan Tucker scored a majestic 51 off 34 balls and formed a sedate 62-run partnership alongside Harry Tector (32 off 28 balls) for the third wicket. Curtis Campher (22), George Dockrell (15), and Gareth Delany (28*) played impactful cameos to take Ireland to 193/7 in their 20 overs.
Shaheen conceded 33 runs off his last two overs to finish with figures of 3/49. Meanwhile, Abbas Afridi bagged two wickets and conceded 33 in his four overs. Mohammad Amir and Naseem Shah chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman score half-centuries to set up resounding win for Pakistan
Irish bowlers got their team off to a fantastic start, as they accounted for the wickets of Saim Ayub and Babar two overs into the chase. However, Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman showed their experience and stitched a brilliant 140-run partnership off 78 balls to put the tourists in a commanding position.
Zaman departed for a 40-ball 78, after hitting six fours and as many sixes. Azam Khan joined Rizwan at the crease and slammed an unbeaten 10-ball 30 as the Men in Green romped home with seven wickets and 19 balls to spare. The youngster hit one four and four sixes during his destructive cameo. Meanwhile, Rizwan remained unbeaten on 75 off 46 balls, hitting six fours and four sixes. He was also awarded Player of the Match for his sensational innings in a do-or-die game of the series.
The series is intriguingly set up after Pakistan's stunning win in the second T20I. The decisive third and final match is going to be held on Tuesday, May 14 at the same venue.
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