Former captain Shahid Afridi appreciated Pakistan batters for their high strike rates during the second T20I against Ireland on Sunday.
Pakistan registered a solid seven-wicket victory over Ireland Clontarf Cricket Club in Dublin and levelled the three-match series 1-1.
Afridi took to his official X account and appreciated Pakistan’s performance, especially Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman’s batting approach.
“We needed this win. Well done team, especially the way Rizwan and Fakhar played. We need the same mindset in the World Cup and similar strike-rates for most batsmen,” Afridi posted.
The former all-rounder also praised Shaheen Afridi for his landmark achievement of completing 300 international wickets.
“Congrats to Shaheen on 300 international wickets, well done,” he added.
We needed this win. Well done team, sp the way Rizwan and Fakhar played. We need the same mindset in the World Cup and similar strike rates for most batsmen. Congrats to Shaheen on 300 intl wickets, well done #PakvsIre
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) May 13, 2024
Notably, Pakistan opted to bowl first in the second T20I and Afridi removed both openers in the fourth over to reduce Ireland to 34-2.
However, Lorcan Tucker played brilliant innings of 51 runs from 34 balls, featuring five boundaries and two sixes, while Gareth Delany scored a quick 28 off 10 to propel Ireland to 193 in their allocated 20 overs.
Pakistan successfully chased the 194-run target with 19 balls to spare, courtesy of Mohammad Rizwan and Fakkhar Zaman’s half-centuries.
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They constructed a 140-run partnership in 78 balls to tilt the game in Pakistan’s favour after Saim Ayub (6) and Babar Azam (0) fell early.
Rizwan scored an unbeaten 75 off 46, featuring six boundaries and four sixes, while Zaman was dismissed after scoring 78 runs from 40 balls.
Azam Khan was another notable contributor with 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.
The third and decisive T20I between Pakistan and Ireland will be played on 14 May (tomorrow).
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