NEW DELHI: Pakistan's pace attack, spearheaded by Shaheen Afridi, delivered a remarkable performance to limit Ireland to 106 for nine in the final T20 World Cup match in Lauderhill on Sunday.
According to PTI, the seam and swing trio of Afridi (3/22), Mohammad Amir (2/11), and Haris Rauf (1/17) skillfully utilized the conditions to reduce Ireland to 32 for six in the powerplay, showcasing a sensational display of bowling prowess.
Imad Wasim (3/8), a left-arm spinner, then employed his cunning to take three late wickets, contributing to Pakistan's dominant bowling performance.
Gareth Delany, the top-scorer, hit three sixes and a four in his 19-ball 31, while Mark Adair (15) and George Dockrell (11) also reached double figures. Joshua Little (22 not out), batting at number 10, then swung his bat to help Ireland surpass the 100-run mark.
Ireland had a disastrous start as Afridi and Amir left them reeling at 4 for three in the second over. Afridi struck twice in three balls, dismissing Andrew Balbirnie (0) and Lorcan Tucker (2) in the first over, while Amir had Ireland captain Paul Stirling (1) caught behind, leaving the top order in shambles.
Tector survived a caught-behind appeal but was trapped by Afridi in the next ball with a fuller delivery that struck his back leg, reducing Ireland to 15 for 4 in 3 overs.
Dockrell hit two fours to relieve some pressure, but he fell to a caught and bowled by Amir, who deceived him with a slower ball. Half of the Irish team had returned to the pavilion within the powerplay.
Rauf then joined the action, dismissing Curtis Campher, who attempted a pull shot only to see the top-edge land safely in Saim Ayub's hands.
Delany hit the first six of Ireland's innings off Rauf in the 9th over, before smashing spinner Shadab Khan for a six over long-on to bring up the team's fifty. Delany ended the over with a four after Rauf missed an overhead catch at the boundary.
Abbas Afridi was Delany's next target, as he smoked a pitched-up delivery from the pacer over deep square leg for another maximum.
Imad was then brought into the attack, and he dismissed the dangerous-looking Delany with a bouncing and spinning delivery, breaking the 44-run partnership with Ireland at 76 for 7. Imad then had Adair caught by Afridi.
