DUBLIN: Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman scored half-centuries, followed by Azam Khan’s blistering cameo helped Pakistan defeat Ireland by seven wickets in the second T20I of the three-match series here on Sunday.
Pakistan successfully chased the 194-run target with 19 balls to spare and levelled the series 1-1.
The Greenshirts had an unwanted start to the chase as they lost Saim Ayub (6) and Babar Azam (0) in 1.4 overs with only 14 runs on the board.
Rizwan and Zaman then led the chase for Pakistan as they helped stabilize the innings after two early wickets.
They charged against Irish bowlers and constructed a 140-run partnership in 78 balls to tilt the game in Pakistan’s favour.
However, Ben White broke the stand with the wicket of Zaman, who scored 78 runs from 40 balls with the help of four boundaries and four sixes.
Azam Khan joined Rizwan at the crease, with 41 required from 33 balls, but the former ensured that Pakistan finished the match with 19 balls to spare.
Khan scored an unbeaten 30 off 10 with four sixes. He hit Mark Adair for three sixes in the 17th over to finish the match in style. Meanwhile, Rizwan scored an unbeaten 75 off 46, featuring six boundaries and four sixes.
For Ireland, Adair, White and Graham Hume picked one wicket each.
Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel
Earlier, Pakistan opted to bowl first and reduced Ireland to 34-2 inside four overs, with Shaheen Afridi removing both opening batters in the same over.
Tucker and Harry Tector then joined hands to construct a 62-run stand before Abbas Afridi halted their progress as he dismissed the latter.
Tector scored an anchoring 32 off 28 with the help of four boundaries.
Tucker was then joined by Curtis Campher (22) and they raised a quick 41-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Abbas Afridi ended Tucker’s brilliant innings of 51 runs from 34 balls, featuring five boundaries and two sixes.
Delany then scored a quick 28 off 10 balls with the help of five boundaries, including two sixes, to propel Ireland to 193 in their allocated 20 overs.
For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi claimed three wickets, and Abbas Afridi managed two wickets.
READ: AB de Villiers extends best wishes to retiring James Anderson