Tag: Pakistan vs Ireland

DUBLIN: Pakistan’s ace batter Babar Azam on Friday, equalled India’s Virat Kohli’s record of most T20I half-centuries during his side’s first T20I against Ireland.

Babar now has 38 fifty-plus scores to his name, which came in 108 innings, one less than Kohli. He has also scored three centuries.

Most fifty-plus scores in T20Is

Babar Azam: 38 in 108 innings
Virat Kohl: 38 in 109 innings
Rohit Sharma: 34 in 143 innings
Mohammad Rizwan: 27 in 81 innings
David Warner: 27 in 103 innings

Notably, Babar achieved the milestone with his anchoring 57-run knock in the first T20I of the ongoing three-match series against Ireland.

His fifty, coupled with Iftikhar Ahmed’s late onslaught propelled Pakistan to 182/6.

Put into bat first, Pakistan’s new opening pair of Mohammad Rizwan (1) and Saim Ayub failed to give them a steady start as the former got run out in the second over, courtesy of Herry Tector’s direct hit.

Following the early blow, Pakistan captain Babar Azam joined Saim in the middle and launched recovery.

The duo batted sensibly and added 85 runs for the second wicket until the left-handed opener faltered.

Saim fell rigorously short of his maiden T20I hundred and walked back in the 12th over after scoring a brisk 45. His 29-ball knock featured four boundaries and three sixes.

Babar switched gears after Saim’s dismissal and soon brought up his 38th T20I century in 39 deliveries.

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He, however, failed to get going and miscued Craig Young’s short-pitched delivery to Mark Adair at long-on.

Babar Azam remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with a 43-ball 57 with the help of eight boundaries and a six.

Pakistan then lost two more wickets in quick succession as both Azam Khan and Shadab Khan fell for a duck and thus consequently slipped to 123/5 in 15.2 overs.

Coming out to bat at No.7, Iftikhar Ahmed launched the attack on Ireland’s bowlers and bolstered Pakistan’s total.

He smashed three boundaries and three sixes on his way to an unbeaten 37 off 15 deliveries.

Iftikhar also put together an important partnership with Fakhar Zaman, who scored a scratchy 20.

Craig Young spearheaded Ireland’s bowling charge with 2/27 in his four overs while Adair and Gareth Delany chipped in with a wicket apiece.

READ: Iftikhar, Babar propel Pakistan to 182/6 against Ireland in first T20I

DUBLIN: Andy Balbirnie’s blistering 77-run knock after a combined bowling display led Ireland to stun Pakistan in the first T20I of the three-match series here on Friday.

Set to chase 183, Ireland amassed the total for the loss of five wickets and a ball to spare, at the back of a strong third-wicket partnership between Harry Tector and Balbirnie.

The home side, however, had a contrasting start to the pursuit as they lost their captain Paul Stirling and Lorcan Tucker inside the batting powerplay with just 27 runs on the board.

Balbirnie and Tector then pulled the hosts out of trouble with a sensible partnership.

The duo added 77 runs for the third wicket before Imad Wasim provided a much-needed breakthrough to Pakistan by dismissing Tector, who scored 36 off 27 deliveries.

Ireland’s batting mainstay Balbirnie was then involved in an important partnership with George Dockrell.

The 39-run partnership was dominated by Dockrell, who scored a blazing 24 off just 12 deliveries with the help of four boundaries including two sixes.

Balbirnie then put together a brief 24-run partnership with Gareth Delany before finally perishing in the penultimate over with the home side needing 16 off eight deliveries.

Andy Balbirnie top-scored for Ireland with 77 off 55 deliveries, peppered with 10 boundaries and two sixes.

Following his dismissal, Delany (10) and Curtis Campher (15) displayed nerves of steel and played match-winning cameos to guide Ireland to a historic victory.

Abbas Afridi took two wickets for Pakistan while Naseem Shah, Imad Wasim and Shaheen Shah Afridi picked one apiece.

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Put into bat first, Pakistan’s new opening pair of Mohammad Rizwan (1) and Saim Ayub failed to give them a steady start as the former got run out in the second over, courtesy of Herry Tector’s direct hit.

Following the early blow, Pakistan captain Babar Azam joined Saim in the middle and launched recovery.

The duo batted sensibly and added 85 runs for the second wicket until the left-handed opener faltered.

Saim fell rigorously short of his maiden T20I hundred and walked back in the 12th over after scoring a brisk 45. His 29-ball knock featured four boundaries and three sixes.

Babar switched gears after Saim’s dismissal and soon brought up his 38th T20I century in 39 deliveries.

He, however, failed to get going and miscued Craig Young’s short-pitched delivery to Mark Adair at long-on.

Babar Azam remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with a 43-ball 57 with the help of eight boundaries and a six.

Pakistan then lost two more wickets in quick succession as both Azam Khan and Shadab Khan fell for a duck and thus consequently slipped to 123/5 in 15.2 overs.

Coming out to bat at No.7, Iftikhar Ahmed launched the attack on Ireland’s bowlers and bolstered Pakistan’s total.

He smashed three boundaries and three sixes on his way to an unbeaten 37 off 15 deliveries.

Iftikhar also put together an important partnership with Fakhar Zaman, who scored a scratchy 20.

Craig Young spearheaded Ireland’s bowling charge with 2/27 in his four overs while Adair and Gareth Delany chipped in with a wicket apiece.

Pakistan and Ireland next face each other in the second T20I of the three-match series at the same venue on Sunday.

READ: Pakistan eye to “identify key players for T20 World Cup” in England series

DUBLIN: Ireland have won the toss and elected to field first against Pakistan in the first T20I of the three-match series here on Friday. 

PLAYING XIs

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abbas Afridi

Ireland: Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Ben White, Craig Young

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches 1, Pakistan 1, Ireland 0

READ: Younis Khan offers valuable advice to Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan

DUBLIN: Pakistan men’s cricket team will kick off their preparations for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 with a three-match away series against Ireland, starting on May 10.

The upcoming series marks the first time Ireland will host Pakistan for a T20I series.

The two sides have previously met only once in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2009 where Pakistan won by 39 runs with Kamran Akmal receiving the player of the match award for his 51-ball 57 and two stumpings.

Notably, Pakistan and Ireland are both placed in Group A for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and will face each other in Florida on 16 June.

Besides the two sides, India, the United States of America (USA) and Canada are also in the same group, with the top two teams advancing to the second stage.

All three T20Is against Ireland will take place at Castle Avenue on May 10, 12 and 14 respectively, before the team heads to Headingley, Leeds, on Wednesday for a four-match T20I series against England.

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Pakistan head coach Azhar Mahmood asserted that the national team’s preparations for this year’s mega event kicked off with a five-match home series against New Zealand but their Europe tour will put the final touches on those preparations.

“Our preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 began with the home series against New Zealand and now it’s all about putting the final touches on those preparations.

“We have clarity on our game plans, strategies and combinations. It’s about bringing everything together before we arrive in the United States.

“We’ve only played Ireland once, so they will be a relatively new opponent for us. However, any team in T20 cricket can be dangerous as the match can swing in one over.

“The three T20Is will provide us with good information about their players and how they approach T20 cricket.”

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan’s left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir will miss the T20I series opener against Ireland due to delays in the issuance of his visa and is expected to join the side on Friday.

Pakistan Squad: Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir (unavailable for first T20I), Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Usman Khan.

Ireland Squad: Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.

READ: Mohammad Amir receives visa for Ireland tour

LAHORE: Left-arm Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir, on Thursday, finally received his visa for Ireland to participate in the three-match T20I series.

According to the details, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials are currently engaged in arranging Mohammad Amir’s flight to Dublin at the earliest.

The left-arm pacer, due to a delay in the issuance of the visa will miss the first T20I and is expected to link up with the side on Friday.

“Fast bowler Mohammad Amir will miss the first T20I due to delays in the issuance of his visa. He is expected to join the side on Friday,” stated PCB in a press release.

On the contrary, the national men’s cricket team reached Dublin, Ireland on Wednesday morning via Dubai.

Pakistan squad, led by captain Babar Azam, travelled without Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali, who linked up with the team in Dublin after participating in the County Championship.

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Notably, Mohammad Amir faced a similar situation during the tours of Ireland and England in 2018.

Amir recently made his comeback to international cricket during the home T20I series against New Zealand after he took back his retirement before the series.

Pakistan is scheduled to play three T20Is at Clontarf in Dublin on 10, 12, and 14 May 2024. All three matches will start at 3 PM local time.

The three-match away series, followed by four T20Is in England, will serve as a stepping stone for the Green Shirts to boast their preparations for this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

Pakistan squad for Ireland and England T20Is

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan.

READ: Ireland name squads for Pakistan series, T20 World Cup 2024

The Pakistan cricket team reached Dublin, Ireland earlier on Wednesday morning via Dubai after taking off from Lahore to partake in the three-match T20I series.

Pakistan squad, led by captain Babar Azam, travelled without Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali, who linked up with the team in Dublin, while Mohammad Amir is still awaiting his visa.

The squad will rest today before hitting the nets tomorrow for the first training session ahead of the first T20I, scheduled on 10 May at Clontarf.

Pakistan will play the following two matches at the same venue on 12, and 14 May 2024. All three matches will start at 3 PM local time.

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The three-match series against Ireland will be followed by four T20Is against England.

These seven games will serve as a stepping stone for the Green Shirts to boast their preparations for this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

Pakistan squad for Ireland and England T20Is

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan.

READ: Ireland name squads for Pakistan series, T20 World Cup 2024

LAHORE: Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam on Monday opened up about the selection of pace bowler Hasan Ali in the national squad for the upcoming series against Ireland and England.

During the team’s pre-departure press conference, Azam responded to the criticism over the pacer’s inclusion in the team and defended the decision, stating that Hasan Ali was only selected as a backup for Haris Rauf.

“I have been hearing for quite some time that why is he [Hassan Ali] back? Selectors have also made it clear that he is there as a backup [for Haris Rauf],” Azam remarked.

“It is not that he is part of the 15-member squad [for World Cup]. We need to understand that he is a backup because of his experience,” he added.

He also stressed that the experienced pacer was recalled through a unanimous decision by the selection committee, comprising seven members.

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“It is not because of just one person that he [Hasan] is selected. There are seven selectors who selected him,” he concluded.

Notably, one of the selectors Wahab Riaz, also voiced the same opinion as Babar Azam while responding to a question regarding the selection of Hasan Ali.

“Hasan Ali was already in our plans for T20 World Cup 2024. He is a backup of Haris Rauf and we have communicated that to Hasan Ali,” said Riaz during a press conference.

“If Haris gets fit before the England series then he will be our first choice. If we feel Haris Rauf is not fit then Hasan Ali will replace him.”

Notably, Hasan Ali played the last of his 50 T20I matches against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2022.

Pakistan squad for Ireland and England T20Is

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan.

READ: Mohammad Amir faces visa delay for Ireland tour

Pakistan’s fast bowler, Mohammad Amir, will not be travelling with the team to Ireland on Tuesday night due to visa issues, team management confirmed on Monday.

The team will depart for Dublin at midnight on May 7 as scheduled, meanwhile, Amir will depart on the first available flight after obtaining the visa.

The star bowler faced a similar situation during the tours of Ireland and England in 2018 also.

Amir recently made his comeback to international cricket during the home T20I series against New Zealand after he took back his retirement before the series.

Notably, Pakistan is scheduled to play three T20Is at Clontarf in Dublin on 10, 12, and 14 May 2024. All three matches will start at 3 PM local time.

The three-match away series, followed by four T20Is in England, will serve as a stepping stone for the Green Shirts to boast their preparations for this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

Pakistan squad for Ireland and England T20Is

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan.

READ: Babar Azam reveals reason behind dropping Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Haris

LAHORE: Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf on Sunday heaped high praise on fellow pacer Mohammad Amir on his return to international cricket ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Rauf suffered a shoulder injury during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine, consequently being sidelined for the remaining matches of the tournament as well as the T20I series against New Zealand.

He addressed the media on the sidelines of Pakistan’s training session for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England, in a build-up to the T20 World Cup 2024.

“It is always difficult to return from an injury, however, I am fully fit and trying to get back in rhythm,” said Rauf.

The right-arm pacer then addressed Amir’s return to the national team and their competition.

“Muhammad Amir’s return has increased confidence within the team. He is a senior bowler and I get to learn a lot from him,” Rauf stated.

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“The team benefits when there is competition for spots between bowlers. You try to perform better than one another so that the team benefits,” he added.

The 30-year-old pacer also expressed his aim to win the World Cup for Pakistan, having played the semi-final and final in the 2021 and 2022 editions respectively.

“We played great cricket in the last World Cup, we reached the final. We are now trying not to repeat those mistakes. We will do our best to bring happiness to our people,” he concluded.

It is worth mentioning here that the Pakistan men’s cricket team is currently participating in a three-match training session here ahead of their three-match T20I series against Ireland.

All three matches will be held at Clontarf in Dublin on 10, 12 and 14 May 2024 and will start at 3 PM local time.

The three-match away series, followed by four T20Is in England, will serve as a stepping stone for the Green Shirts to boast their preparations for this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

Pakistan squad for Ireland and England T20Is

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan men’s cricket team on Saturday, kicked off training for the upcoming away T20I series against Ireland, scheduled to commence on May 10.

According to the details, the Ireland and England series-bound players participated in physical and fielding drills while also engaging in the net sessions.

The ongoing training camp will run until Monday, May 6th, a day before the team’s departure to Ireland.

Hasan Ali and Shadab Khan will not attend the training camp and will join the squad in Ireland as they are currently in England, representing Warwickshire in the County Championship.

The national team will tour Ireland for a three-match T20I series. All three matches will be held at Clontarf in Dublin on 10, 12 and 14 May 2024 and will start at 3 PM local time.

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The three-match away series, followed by four T20Is in England, will serve as a stepping stone for the Green Shirts to boast their preparations for this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

Notably, Pakistan and Ireland are placed in the same group of the mega event and are slated to lock horns on June 16 at Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida.

Pakistan squad for Ireland and England T20Is

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan

Pakistan’s schedule of upcoming matches

Tour of Ireland

May 10: First T20I at Clontarf

May 12: Second T20I at Clontarf

May 14: Third T20I at Clontarf

Tour of England

May 22: First T20I at Leeds

May 25: Second T20I at Birmingham

May 28: Third T20I at Cardiff

May 30: Fourth T20I at The Oval

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