Pakistan suffered a surprising defeat in their opening T20I of the series against Ireland, with the home team securing a five-wicket victory in Dublin.
In an electrifying showdown last Friday, Ireland pulled off an incredible upset, defeating Pakistan by five wickets in their maiden T20I clash in Dublin. This monumental victory not only marked Ireland’s first-ever triumph over Pakistan in T20 cricket but also set the stage for an epic showdown next month at the T20 World Cup.
Chasing a challenging target of 183 runs, Ireland put on a masterclass batting performance, successfully chasing down Pakistan’s total with just one ball to spare. Opening batsman Andrew Balbirnie stole the show with a spectacular 77 runs off 55 balls, laying a solid foundation for Ireland’s pursuit of victory. Supported by Harry Tector’s gritty 36, Balbirnie guided Ireland past the 100-run mark effortlessly.
As Balbirnie departed in the 19th over, the pressure mounted with 16 runs needed from just eight balls. Yet, it was Curtis Campher who emerged as the hero of the hour, smashing 15 runs from seven balls to secure a historic win for Ireland, leaving Pakistan’s Babar Azam and his team stunned.
Ireland’s triumph was fueled by a stellar bowling display and exceptional fielding earlier in the day. The home team showcased their bowling prowess, restricting Pakistan to 182-6 despite notable performances from Babar Azam and Saim Ayub.
With this victory, Ireland took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series against Babar Azam’s squad. While this marked Ireland’s first-ever win over Pakistan in T20Is, it was their second victory against Pakistan across all formats. The first victory against Pakistan dates back to 2007, during a memorable upset at the ODI World Cup, which led to Pakistan’s elimination from the group stage.
Fans flooded social media with jubilant reactions, celebrating Ireland’s historic triumph over Pakistan.
Here are some of the reactions from fans:
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