Despite making the chase more complicated than necessary, Pakistan managed to sign off with the win, thanks to a combination of early successes and Shaheen's late success.
The match started with Pakistan bowlers wreaking havoc on Ireland's top order. Shaheen Afridi was in tremendous form and broke his eight-match streak of not taking any wicket in the first over. He produced a masterclass in swing bowling, demolishing Andrew Balbirnie's defense with an accurate inswinger and then edged Lorcan Tucker against Mohammad Rizwan.
Shaheen's early strikes took Ireland's score to 32 for 6, with Mohammad Aamir and Haris Rauf also taking wickets.
However, Ireland put up stiff resistance through Gareth Delaney and Mark Adair.The pair stitched a partnership of 44 runs off 30 balls and attacked Shadab Khan and Abbas Afridi to keep the scoreboard moving.
Imad Wasim clean bowled the lower order, taking 3 for 8 in his four overs in what was probably his last game for Pakistan. But a decisive cameo from Josh Little, who scored 22, helped Ireland reach a total of 106.
Initially, Pakistan's target looked easy, with Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam making steady progress. By the eighth over, they appeared to be moving forward, removing any intensity from the Irish attack.However, in the middle overs, Curtis Campher and Barry McCarthy took four wickets for only 10 runs, leaving Babar with the long tail.
Abbas Afridi played a key role in the shaky balance of the game, scoring a quick 17 runs and restricting the target to 12 runs. An unfortunate calf injury to Josh Little forced Ireland to rely on spin against Shaheen Afridi, who took the opportunity to hit two sixes to seal Pakistan's victory.
Ireland's fight under the leadership of Delaney and Adair was admirable. He understood the need to attack to score runs and his aggressive approach against Shadab and Abbas Afridi kept him in the game.Even when they lost wickets in clusters, the last wicket partnership between Little and Ben White, which added 26 not out, ensured they had something to defend.
In the end, Pakistan's victory was more of a relief than a celebration. While their bowlers, especially Shaheen, set up the match brilliantly, a middle-order collapse exposed the team's weaknesses. Nonetheless, Babar's steady hand and Shaheen's late heroics ensured that Pakistan ended their campaign on a high.
Brief Score:
Ireland 106 for 9 in 20 overs (Gareth Delany 31, Josh Little 22; Imad Wasim 3-8, Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-22) lost to Pakistan 111 for 7 in 18.5 overs (Babar Azam 32 not out, Saim Ayub 17, Barry McCarthy 3-15, Curtis Campher 2-24 by three wickets.
The match started with Pakistan bowlers wreaking havoc on Ireland's top order. Shaheen Afridi was in tremendous form and broke his eight-match streak of not taking any wicket in the first over. He produced a masterclass in swing bowling, demolishing Andrew Balbirnie's defense with an accurate inswinger and then edged Lorcan Tucker against Mohammad Rizwan.
Shaheen's early strikes took Ireland's score to 32 for 6, with Mohammad Aamir and Haris Rauf also taking wickets.
However, Ireland put up stiff resistance through Gareth Delaney and Mark Adair.The pair stitched a partnership of 44 runs off 30 balls and attacked Shadab Khan and Abbas Afridi to keep the scoreboard moving.
Imad Wasim clean bowled the lower order, taking 3 for 8 in his four overs in what was probably his last game for Pakistan. But a decisive cameo from Josh Little, who scored 22, helped Ireland reach a total of 106.
Initially, Pakistan's target looked easy, with Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam making steady progress. By the eighth over, they appeared to be moving forward, removing any intensity from the Irish attack.However, in the middle overs, Curtis Campher and Barry McCarthy took four wickets for only 10 runs, leaving Babar with the long tail.
Abbas Afridi played a key role in the shaky balance of the game, scoring a quick 17 runs and restricting the target to 12 runs. An unfortunate calf injury to Josh Little forced Ireland to rely on spin against Shaheen Afridi, who took the opportunity to hit two sixes to seal Pakistan's victory.
Ireland's fight under the leadership of Delaney and Adair was admirable. He understood the need to attack to score runs and his aggressive approach against Shadab and Abbas Afridi kept him in the game.Even when they lost wickets in clusters, the last wicket partnership between Little and Ben White, which added 26 not out, ensured they had something to defend.
In the end, Pakistan's victory was more of a relief than a celebration. While their bowlers, especially Shaheen, set up the match brilliantly, a middle-order collapse exposed the team's weaknesses. Nonetheless, Babar's steady hand and Shaheen's late heroics ensured that Pakistan ended their campaign on a high.
Brief Score:
Ireland 106 for 9 in 20 overs (Gareth Delany 31, Josh Little 22; Imad Wasim 3-8, Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-22) lost to Pakistan 111 for 7 in 18.5 overs (Babar Azam 32 not out, Saim Ayub 17, Barry McCarthy 3-15, Curtis Campher 2-24 by three wickets.
