Dublin, May 11, 2024 – Pakistan received a sobering reality check ahead of next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, suffering their first-ever loss in a T20 International to Ireland at Castle Avenue.
Put into bat, Pakistan managed a modest 182/6 against the limited bowling resources of their opponents. Captain Babar Azam top-scored with 57 runs, but the rest of the Pakistan batting lineup struggled. Opener Saim Ayub (45) and Iftikhar Ahmed (37) made valuable contributions, but the middle order faltered. Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan, and Shadab Khan all failed to make an impact.
In response, Ireland chased down the target of 183 in 19.5 overs, winning by 5 wickets. Andrew Balbirnie played a crucial innings, scoring 77 runs and guiding Ireland to victory. The home side’s fielding was exceptional, with two run-outs and brilliant catches in the deep by Curtis Campher and Barry McCarthy.
T20 World Cup Preparation
This defeat serves as a wake-up call for Pakistan, who are now in Group A of the T20 World Cup alongside arch-rivals India, Canada, USA, and Ireland. The highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan is scheduled for June 9.
Recently, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced key appointments for the men’s cricket team. Jason Gillespie will lead the team in red-ball cricket, while Gary Kirsten will manage the white-ball format. Azhar Mahmood has also been confirmed as an assistant coach across all formats.
Kirsten’s tenure comes at a crucial juncture, with major tournaments lined up over the next two years. Pakistan will host the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, and the T20 World Cup in 2026 will be jointly held in India and Sri Lanka.
The loss to Ireland highlights the need for Pakistan to regroup and fine-tune their preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup. With strong opponents awaiting them, they must address their batting woes and build momentum before the global tournament.