Ireland vs Pakistan, PAK in IRE, 3 T20Is, 2024 Full score card

LEG BYE! What a win for Ireland. A historic victory for them. A length ball, angled into the pads. Curtis Campher looks to pull it away but misses. It brushes the thigh pads and goes to the keeper. Gareth Delany is early into his run, this was bound to happen. The boys cross and seal a huge win for the hosts. Ireland win the match by 5 wickets.

FOUR! SCORES LEVEL! Abbas Afridi fires in a full ball, around middle and leg. Curtis Campher whips it towards deep square leg off the inner half. Naseem Shah rushes to his left from fine leg, and puts in a dive but the ball goes on to crash into the ropes. The crowd erupts here. Although, Naseem Shah has stayed down, past the ropes, a substitute fielder on the field now.

It is full, on middle and leg. Curtis Campher flicks it down the park towards long on. Shaheen Afridi is too slow to get to the ball and the batters take two runs. 5 needed now in three balls.

Back of a length, outside off. Campher looks to cut it away but misses it.

FOUR! A no-look boundary? This is extraordinary. Abbas Afridi serves a bumper, outside off, this one jags back into the batter. Curtis Campher sways back, but gets his blade up. It catches the outer half and runs down to the deep third boundary.

Abbas Afridi (3-0-26-2) will bowl the last over of this nail-biting chase. 11 needed off the last 6.

Short ball, on top of middle. Curtis Campher stands tall and pulls it down the park for a single. 11 runs needed in the final over. This is turning out to be a nail-biting affair.

FOUR! What a strike. Curtis Campher on his very first delivery, reverse-scoops Shaheen Afridi for a boundary. It is a yorker-length delivery, in the blockhole. Curtis Campher sets himself up nicely and gets four for it.

Curtis Campher is in at number 7.

OUT! FULL TOSS AND CLEANED UP! Andy Balbirnie is gutted. He is on his feet here. Shaheen Afridi serves a full toss, around off. Andy Balbirnie looks to hunt for that all important boundary, swipes it across the line, but does not get any wood on it. The ball sneaks through and goes on to hit the stumps behind. A huge blow for Ireland.

Shaheen Afridi fires in a full one, wide outside off. Andy Balbirnie throws the kitchen sink at it, but fails to get any bat on it.

Tap and run. Length ball, around off. Delany pushes it to point and crosses.

Afridi hurls in a full one this time, outside off. Andy Balbirnie squeezes it towards deep point and comes back for one.

WIDE! Shaheen Afridi starts with a loosener here. It is too full, going down the leg side. Andy Balbirnie looks to tickle it away but fails to get any bat on it.

Shaheen Afridi (3-0-18-0) to bowl the penultimate over. Will he provide a much-needed scalp here? Let's find out...

FOUR! A boundary to end the over. Gareth Delany making sure that he helps his partner in the best way possible. Way too full, outside off. Gareth Delany picks it up early and drills it through the left the of mid off for a fine boundary. 19 runs needed in 2 overs now.

Pitches it up, full and outside off. Delany leans in and drives it along the ground towards deep point. Iftikhar Ahmed fumbles in the deep. The batters take two runs.

Andy Balbirnie flicks this full ball into the leg side for a single.

Fuller one, on off. Andy Balbirnie blocks it out watchfully.

DROPPED! A good-length delivery, on off. Andy Balbirnie throws his bat at it, but it catches the outer half and pops up towards point. The fielder runs backwards and ends up making a mess of it. Two runs taken.

A length ball, around off. Andy Balbirnie backs away and slices it towards long off. Mohammad Rizwan gives it a chase from inside the circle and takes two runs.

Short one, outside off. Andy Balbirnie cuts it to deep point for one. A wicket came off the very first delivery here, but Andy Balbirnie is putting up a solid knock here. 10 runs from this one.

SIX! All the way. A much-needed boundary for the hosts. Andy Balbirnie is doing a wonderful job to keep his side in the hunt. Slower bumper, outside off. Andy Balbirnie stays back and bludgeons it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum.

A full toss, around the hips. Gareth Delany clips it towards long on and rotates the strike.

Slower ball, on a length, jagging back in. Gareth Delany goes back and punches it to deep point for two runs.

A sharp bouncer, on middle. Delany looks to chase it but misses.

Gareth Delany is the next man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! A very important wicket for Pakistan. Abbas Afridi serves a slower one, full and on off. George Dockrell leans in and chips it into the off side. Fakhar Zaman pouches it safely. A change in bowling has garnered a positive result for the tourists as they see the back of Dockrell. Ireland are 4 down now.

Abbas Afridi is back into the attack.

A toe-crushing yorker this time, George Dockrell moves away and jams it to point for an easy single.

Naseem Shah pulls his length back once again but this rolls his fingers over as well. George Dockrell fails to pick the slower one and it heads straight to the keeper.

Short ball, around middle. Andy Balbirnie pulls it to mid-wicket for one.

A slower one this time, on a good length. Andy Balbirnie looks to heave it across the line but misses.

FOUR! Smacking shot. It is a short ball, angled into the body. Andy Balbirnie picks it up very easily and pulls it towards deep square leg. In the gap and in the boundary.

Naseem Shah starts off with a bouncer, outside off. Andy Balbirnie steps across and tries to upper cut it but fails to get any bat on it.

Hard length, from around the wicket, on the top of the middle. George Dockrell hops on the back foot and drops it in front of covers. Ireland is well in the game as they need 46 off the last 5 overs.

Angling into the batter on a length, Andy Balbirnie nudges it in front of deep mid-wicket for a single.

WIDE! Oh, no! This is frustrating for Pakistan now. Spills it well down the leg stump line on a fuller length. Andy Balbirnie fails to flick it but it is called a Wide.

Drop and run. Full, on the stumps, George Dockrell works it to the leg side for an easy single.

FOUR! Crucial boundary! Shaheen offers a juicy knee-length full toss angling in, George Dockrell flicks it over mid-wicket and gets a boundary on a single bounce.

Good length and angling at the leg stump. George Dockrell moves leg side for room but misses his shot completely.

WIDE! Good length down leg. George Dockrell shuffles to off side and attempts to nudge it through on side but misses. Wide called.

Back of a length, at the off stump. Andy Balbirnie taps it to the leg side and completes a single.

SIX! Oh dear, Pakistan have been really sloppy in the field! Drops it full and again invites the batter to cash on it. George Dockrell exactly does that and slogs it over mid on. The ball carries straight towards Iftikhar Ahmed at long on, but he walks back and also walks over the ropes before taking the reverse cup catch. Not a good presence of mind there by Iftikhar Ahmed. Ireland in ascendency now.

WIDE! Fullish delivery way down the tramline of the off side. Dockrell leaves it for a wide.

SIX! Thank You says George Dockrell! Tossed up, a juicy half-volley on the stumps, George Dockrell clears his front leg and deposits it behind the sightscreen for a maximum.

FOUR! Straight as an arrow! Shadab Khan drops it slow and full, on the off-stump line, George Dockrell cashes on this overpitched delivery and smacks it down the ground for a boundary.

Drags his length, on off, Andy Balbirnie cuts it again off the back foot towards deep backward point.

FOUR! Beats the man and it was harshly a tame, lazy effort! Slower through the air, outside off, Andy Balbirnie rocks back deep in the crease, and cuts it and beats the point fielder for a boundary.

Slower, turning away from off, George Dockrell tucks it to deep mid-wicket for a quick single.

Full delivery at the off stump. George Dockrell drives it to cover for one.

George Dockrell comes out with the sword.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Imad Wasim has provided a much, much-needed breakthrough for Pakistan. He lands it full and outside off, Harry Tector sits down on his knee to fetch a slog sweep over deep mid-wicket but he's a tad bit early on the shot which is enough to take the leading edge off the willow. It spoons up in the air, and travels over mid-wicket. Shaheen Afridi runs forward from the deep and takes a good low catch. A good recovery partnership comes to an end for Ireland and they are now 3 down.

Closer to the body, flatter and full. Harry Tector pushes it back to the bowler.

Pitches it up on a fuller length, at off, Andy Balbirnie drives it through covers and mid off for a single.

Slower through the air, on the middle and leg, Harry Tector works it to long on for one.

Good length delivery at the middle and leg. Tector tucks it to the left of deep mid-wicket for a couple.

Good-length delivery at the outside off. Hary Tector punches it to deep mid-wicket for one. 100 up for Ireland.

FOUR! Inventive! Flighted on the fuller length, outside off, Harry Tector employs the reverse sweep and gets it too fine through the right of short third for a boundary.

Shade outside off, leg-break on offer, Harry Tector drives it straight to covers.

Overpitched outside off, Harry Tector reaches out to it with long levers and lofts it over covers. The ball lands in the deep extra cover region. They cross for the second.

Quicker and flatter, short and on off, Andy Balbirnie tucks it down the ground for a single at long on.

FOUR! Such a perfect placement! Loops it up and drops it outside off, on a length, Andy Balbirnie rocks back into the crease and crisply cuts it through backward point for a boundary. Shaheen Afridi in the deep puts in a slide but all in vain. Also, this brings up Andy Balbirnie's hard-fought Fifty. Still a long way to go but he has displayed resilience.

Drops it fuller and on the off stump, Andy Balbirnie drives it along the carpet for a single at widish long off.

Goes full, on off, Andy Balbirnie drives it with full flourish of the willow but finds mid off in the way.

Drifting down the pads, on a good length, Harry Tector tucks it with soft hands toward short fine for one.

Quicker and flatter on off, punched to the off side by Harry Tector.

Flats it up on a shortish length, on the middle, Andy Balbirnie punches it down the ground for a single to the left of long on.

Floated up full, on off, Harry Tector drives it along the grass through the covers for a single. Ireland need 99 runs in the final 10 overs.

SIX! This is a sensational hit, Made it look so easy. It is floated and full, on off. Andy Balbirnie gets low and slogs it powerfully over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum.

LOUD APPEAL! A short ball, outside off. Andy Balbirnie goes on his back foot for the cut shot. He throws his bat at it but the ball zips past the outside edge. Azam Khan behinds the sticks though is quite animated after catching the ball, but the umpire shows no interest.

Quicker one, on a length. Harry Tector makes some room and cuts it towards deep point for one more.

Googly this time, on the shorter side. Andy Balbirnie goes back and flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Slower one, around off. It spins away. Andy Balbirnie taps it towards point.

Tossed up, around off. Andy Balbirnie knocks it towards deep cover and comes back for the second run safely.

Shadab Khan (1-0-9-0) replaces Imad Wasim.

A very full delivery, on off. Tector only manages to jam it back to the bowler. Another good over for Ireland comes to an end.

Andy Balbirnie hangs back to this short ball and cuts it towards deep point for another single.

Back of a length, on off. Tector short-arm jabs it into mid-wicket for one.

Fuller this time, on the stumps. Tector prods and defends it watchfully.

Length ball, on the pads. Tector flicks it behind square for a brace.

SIX! This is a shot and a half. Short ball from Abbas Afridi, this one sits nicely for Harry Tector. He rides it well and dispatches it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. This is turning out to be a wonderful recovery job done by this pair.

WIDE! This one has been sprayed down leg. The umpire signals a wide here.

FOUR! Nicely played. Flighted and full, on middle. Andy Balbirnie stays low and sweeps it over square leg. The ball lands safely and heads into the boundary. 11 runs comes from this over.

An arm ball, full and on off. Andy Balbirnie stays back and blocks it out.

On a flatter trajectory and around off, Andy Balbirnie pushes it to covers.

FOUR! Exceptional shot. A bit short, outside off. Andy Balbirnie stays back and cuts it hard through point for four runs.

Misfield this time. It is a bit short, on the pads. Andy Balbirnie clips it towards backward square leg. The fielder fumbles and they take two runs.

An arm ball, outside off. Tector pushes it into covers for one.

This is really good cricket. Just push it into the gap and run. This time it flicked towards mid on by Tector.

A leg spinner, outside off. Andy Balbirnie pushes it into gap at covers for one more.

FOUR! Very well timed. It is full, on the pads. Andy Balbirnie stays back and flicks it through square leg. It races away through the gap and into the boundary. 50 up for Ireland with this boundary.

Pushed through quicker, outside off. Tector dabs it to point for one.

Quicker and fuller, on leg. Andy Balbirnie sweeps it towards backward square leg for another single.

A bit short, around off. Tector shuffles and flicks it towards mid on for one.

FOUR! Up and over! It is very full, wide outside off. Andy Balbirnie poses for the cameras after playing a wonderful lofted cover drive for four runs.

Back of a length, slower one, outside off. Tector waits for it and dabs it to the right of short third. One taken.

Pitches it up this time, outside off. Harry Tector gets on his front foot and ends up defending back to the bowler.

FOUR! Short and punished. Back of a length, angled in around off. Tector picks it up nicely and pulls it over square leg for four runs.

It is a full one, around off. Andy Balbirnie knocks it toward short third and crosses.

Slower length ball, outside off, Andy Balbirnie looks to cut but misses and is beaten.

Fuller length, outside off, Harry Tector drives it nicely towards covers.

FOUR! Poor in the field and Ireland will take it! Straight, full and on the pads, Harry Tector flicks it nicely through the square leg region for a boundary. The fielder in the deep fumbles and parries the ball into the fence for a boundary.

Cannons on the boots, Andy Balbirnie misses to get any willow and the ball trickles to the leg after brushing off the boot. A leg bye taken.

Fuller length, just outside off around the fourth stump line, Balbirnie swings and misses.

Length ball, on middle and leg, Tector tucks it square of the wicket for a single.

Harry Tector comes in at number 4.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Fuller in length, on the pads, there to be hit. Lorcan Tucker flicks it uppishly but gets it off the bottom half of the willow. The ball sails over mid-wicket and lands straight into the hands of the fielder at deep mid-wicket. He didn't had to move an inch. Lorcan Tucker is disappointed and rightly so.

Three dots to end the over. Fuller in length, around off, driven to the off side to end the over.

Flatter and wider outside off, Andy Balbirnie chops it to cover.

Fuller and around off, Balbirnie pushes it to cover.

FOUR! Shot! Shade outside off, on a dragged length, Andy Balbirnie punches it nicely along the carpet through covers for a cracking boundary.

Fired outside off, on a full length, Andy Balbirnie misses to cut.

FOUR! Swept away! On the pads, on leg stump, Andy Balbirnie sweeps it well and through deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Angles on the pads, on a length, Lorcan Tucker is late on the pull and gets it off the inside half towards short fine.

Slants it across off, on a fuller length, Lorcan Tucker goes for a wild swing and misses to connect.

FOUR! Sublimely driven! Hard length, on off, Lorcan Tucker covers his off-pole, gets on the top of the ball and crisply drives it through cover-point for a boundary.

A bit of an inward movement, just over the middle stump, Lorcan Tucker goes for a big wild heave but meets thin air as the ball carries back to the keeper.

Outside off, on a good length, Lorcan Tucker gets beaten on the outside edge.

Fuller, on off, Andy Balbirnie slaps it towards widish mid off. Babar Azam moves to his left and stops it. A single taken.

On the back of a length, on off, Lorcan Tucker solidly dabs it to the off side to end the second over. A successful one for Pakistan.

OUT! TAKEN! First one down and Pakistan is all pumped up! Keeps the line on the off stump, lands it on a fuller length, nipping away, Paul Stirling presents the full face of the bat but he doesn't manage to keep it down, and hits with a strong bottom hand straight into the safe hands of the Pakistani skipper.

Swings a shade away from off, on a length, Paul Stirling drives it towards cover where the fielder fumbles to pick it up. Allows a single.

SIX! GLORIOUS WRITTEN ALL OVER IT! Naseem bowls it shade on the good length, and nips outside off, Paul Stirling gets ahead on the front foot, creates a strong base for himself, and smacks the ball well over the deep extra covers for the first maximum of the chase. That's hit with the middle of the willow.

WIDE! Sprays it down leg. Paul Stirling misses out on the flick. Wided.

DROPPED! On a nagging length, moving away from off, Paul Stirling slaps it flat towards cover at Fakhar Zaman who drops an over-head catch, parries the ball to the deep which allows them to cross for a brace.

WIDE! Swings it beyond the wide guideline. Paul Stirling throws his arms at it but misses. Wide anyways.

BEAUTY TO BEGIN WITH! On a hard length, climbs further up with a good bounce, just on off, nips away as well. Paul Stirling is on the back foot and plays it inside the line of the ball, gets beaten on the outside edge.

Who will share the new ball? It is going to be Naseem Shah.

Lands it full, at the off stump, Andy Balbirnie plays it with the line of the ball getting ahead and hits it straight to mid off to end the first over. Just 4 from it.

FOUR! First boundary of the chase! Full, and slightly on the fourth stump line, Andy Balbirnie squeezes it through cover-point for a boundary.

Sees Balbirnie coming down the track, Shaheen Afridi shortens his length, on off, Andy Balbirnie gets beaten trying to clear the in-field over off side.

Swings back into the batter, on the middle, full in length, Andy Balbirnie plays it straight to cover.

Nips away a bit from off, on a fullish length, Andy Balbirnie with no foot movement, tries to poke and gets beaten.

Starts off with a slip in place. Angles into the batter from off, lands it full. Andy Balbirnie drives it straight towards mid off.

19 off the last over and Pakistan finish well on 182/6. Slower one, outside off, Shaheen Afridi waits for this short-pitched delivery but mistimes it up in the air. It lands just behind mid off, and the long off fielder sprints forward, restricts it to just a single.

Yorks it again, into the stumps, Iftikhar Ahmed digs it out to mid on for just one.

Aims an effective yorker on the stumps, Iftikhar Ahmed squeezes it back to the bowler. Mark Adair has a shy at the runner's end as he sees Shaheen Afridi setting off for a single. The overthrow allows them to cross for one.

SIX! Go fetch that says Iftikhar Ahmed! A friendly off-cutter just around off, Iftikhar Ahmed waits for the ball to come at him and picks it over square leg for a cracking maximum.

FOUR! Shot! Short and wide of off, Iftikhar Ahmed cuts it through cover-point for a boundary. This has been some cameo from Iftikhar Ahmed.

WIDE! Length ball, going down leg, and the Umpire stretches his arm for Wide.

SIX! BOOM! Sprays it just ahead of the boot on the leg stump line, Iftikhar Ahmed picks it up and over deep fine leg for a maximum.

SIX! This time he connects, and connects well! Lands it full in length, on the fifth stump, Shaheen Afridi drags it over cow corner for a crucial six. An important one for Pakistan. 12 runs off the penultimate over.

Make that three dots in a row! Barry McCarthy goes short again, outside off, Shaheen Afridi misses to connect yet again. He pleads for a Wide but the leg umpire is unmoved.

Bangs it into the deck, on top of off, Shaheen Afridi again gets beaten trying to play the pull shot over the leg side. A good comeback from Barry McCarthy after that six.

Across off on a hard length, Shaheen Afridi readies himself for the pull shot but only meets thin air. Beaten!

SIX! Oh, hello! Slightly shorter in length, just around off, Shaheen Afridi walks down the pitch and dumps it over the sightscreen with a horizontal stroke for a maximum.

Back of a length, angling away outside off, Shaheen Afridi looks to pull but gets beaten.

Slower bumper, around off, Shaheen Afridi pulls it over square leg. The fielder in the deep drops the catch and a single is taken.

Shaheen Afridi comes out to bat now.

OUT! STUNNER OF A GRAB FROM ADAIR! Full in length, width on offer, outside off, Fakhar Zaman clears his front leg and looks to go over long off but doesn't time it at all and the ball sails off his toe-end towards the chasing Mark Adair, who comes forward, gets low , dives ahead, and takes the catch just a few centimeters above the grass.

IN THE AIR...DROPPED! Short in length, into the stumps, Iftikhar Ahmed pulls it towards deep mid-wicket where the fielder shells the catch running and diving forward from the deep. A single taken.

FOUR! Exceptional! On a length, outside off, Iftikhar Ahmed goes back and across before guiding the ball through the left of short third for a boundary.

SIX! What a sensational hit! Way outside off, full in length, Iftikhar Ahmed gets low on his knee and hoists it over deep extra covers for a maximum. The ball teases Mark Adair at the ropes but sails well over him.

Change of pace, outside off, full in length, Fakhar Zaman reaches for it and drags it towards long on for just a single.

Full and on a hard length, Iftikhar Ahmed taps it to backward point.

Short again, into the stumps, Fakhar Zaman goes for a pull shot but gets beaten and is hit on the body. A leg bye is taken though as the ball trickles to the off side.

Change of pace, on a short length, top of the middle, Iftikhar Ahmed is early on the pull shot and inside edges straight down the ground for just one. The ball rolls behind the bowler and they cross.

Length, angling in on the leg stump, Fakhar Zaman pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! He has picked the bones out of it! A low full toss on off from around the wicket, Fakhar Zaman clears his front leg and spanks it straight as an arrow for a boundary. The Umpire had to duck underneath the ball. What a sensational hit.

Fuller and on off, nips away a shade, Iftikhar Ahmed gets it off the thickish outside edge to deep third for one.

Short in length again, on the stumps, Iftikhar Ahmed is deep in the crease and pulls it off the back foot towards deep mid-wicket for a single to end the over.

Hard length, on the stumps, Iftikhar Ahmed tucks it to deep mid-wicket for a brace.

FOUR! Off the mark in style! Short in length, on the top of the middle, Iftikhar Ahmed picks the length early and pulls it through deep backward square leg for a cracking boundary.

Full and on off, Iftikhar Ahmed defends it solidly back to the bowler.

OUT! RUN OUT! Pakistan is falling like a house of cards now. McCarthy bowls it full and angles in a bit on off, Fakhar Zaman tries to squeeze it out to the off side but inside edges to the pads and the ball rolls just near the strip. Fakhar Zaman calls for a quick single and Shadab Khan hurries to reach the other end. Barry McCarthy is quick to reach for the ball and kicks it straight to the stumps at the striker's end. A suicidal run there as Shadab Khan is not even in the frame.

Iftikhar Ahmed comes out to bat now.

WIDE! Sprays it way outside off, beyond the tramline. Wide given.

SIX! Into the stands! Gifts a friendly half-volley on off, Fakhar Zaman clears his front leg and deposits it behind cow corner for a maximum.

Back of a length, outside off. Shadab Khan lets it be.

Shadab Khan is in at number 6 for Pakistan.

OUT! CAUGHT! Craig Young is turning on the heat with the ball in hand. It is a short ball, angled into the body. Azam Khan stays back and pulls it towards deep square leg. He was not in control of the shot at all, felt like it hurried on to him. Eventually it was Ben White who completes the catch in the deep to out Pakistan in a spot of bother.

A sharp bumper from Young, on middle. Azam Khan sways away from the line of the delivery.

Azam Khan is in at number 5.

OUT! CAUGHT! Craig Young gets rid of the big fish here. Babar Azam has to walk back after scoring a wonderful half-century. Short in length, on off. Babar Azam stands tall and looks to pull it away but it catches the outside edge and flies high towards long on. Mark Adair there settles under it and takes the catch.

Brilliant effort from Barry McCarthy near the boundary to keep the ball in play. Short ball, on the leg stump. Fakhar Zaman stands tall and pulls it towards deep square leg. Barry McCarthy leaps near the ropes, gets a hand on it and pushes the ball back in play. Should've been a maximum but Zaman will only get a single for the same.

Short ball, on the body. Fakhar Zaman pulls it to the leg side for two runs.

A bit short, in the channel. Azam punches it towards deep point for two runs.

FOUR! Stand and deliver. Length ball, outside off. Babar Azam comes outside the crease and smacks it past the bowler for a boundary.

BYE! Fires it full, on off. Zaman tries to work it away but misses. It beats the keeper as well. They collect a bye.

Very full, outside off. Zaman jams it back to the bowler.

Floated and full, outside off. This one dips as well. Zaman gets down on one knee and tries to slog it away but does not get any bat on it.

Back of a length, outside off. Babar Azam cuts it to deep point and crosses for a single.

FOUR! Innovation at its best. It is a full ball, on middle and leg. Zaman premeditates the scoop shot and gets it over the keeper's head for a boundary.

FIFTY FOR AZAM! An incredible knock from the skipper. Once again he comes out and shines for his side. A short ball, around off. Azam pulls it down to long on for one. 35th T20I half-century for Babar Azam.

WIDE! 100 up for Pakistan. Campher hurls a length ball, sliding down leg. Azam shuffles a bit and tries to tickle it away but misses to get any bat on it.

Babar Azam stays back to this short ball and pulls it to deep square leg for two runs. He moves to 49 now.

Good length, around off. Zaman knocks it into covers for one.

WIDE! Curtis Campher errs in his line this time and the umpire extends his arms without any hesitation.

On the pads, clipped into the leg side for one.

Lucky escape. Curtis Campher with a full ball, around off. Azam tries to flick it towards mid-wicket, but it skies instead off the leading edge. The ball goes towards wide long on and lands safely. Two taken.

Curtis Campher (2-0-17-0) replaces Ben White.

Four dots in a row to end a successful over from Delany. It is a short ball, on the fifth stump line. Zaman hangs back and cuts it towards backward point. The fielder there dives to his left and makes a sharp stop.

Shorter and quicker, wide of off. Zaman looks to chase it but misses.

A bit short, on off. Zaman goes back and tries to work it into the leg side, but it catches the inner half and rolls back towards the bowler.

Quicker and fuller, on off. Zaman prods and defends it back to the bowler.

Fakhar Zaman walks in at number 4.

OUT! CAUGHT IN THE DEEP! Saim Ayub tries to get his half-century in fine fashion but holes out instead. Gareth Delany is a bit lucky to get a wicket on his delivery but he will take it and so will Ireland. A short ball, wide of off. Saim Ayub stays back and attempts to free his arms, he bludgeons it down the park, although does not middle it. The ball travels towards long off. Curtis Campher settles under it and completes a neat catch.

Darted on the pads, Azam tucks it into mid-wicket and crosses.

FOUR! Wonderful shot. Saim Ayub is now getting into the act. It is a bit short, outside off. Ayub stays back and cuts it powerfully through covers for four runs.

Slower through the air, on middle. Azam tucks it into the leg side for one.

Fuller one, on off. Babar Azam drives it to covers but not in the gap.

FOUR! Wonderfully driven. Babar Azam is making his intent clear against the spinner. Floated through the air, and full, outside off. Azam crunches it through covers for a cracking boundary.

Around off, blocked.

SIX! BANG! Babar Azam is making his intent clear. It is floated and full, on middle. Babar Azam gets low and slogs it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a maximum.

SIX! Massive! Lands it on a shortish length, outside off, Saim Ayub cashes on the width and thumps it over long off for a biggie to end the over. Halfway done, Pakistan are 76/1.

Pulls his length further and bowls a short one, on a flatter trajectory, Babar Azam pulls it to long on for one.

On a dragged length, on off, Saim Ayub dances down the track, and pushes it through covers for one.

Slightly pitched up, outside off, Saim Ayub plants his leg ahead and clears the inner ring and gets a double at deep extra cover.

Just around off, on a length, Saim Ayub cuts but finds covers yet again.

Lands it on off, full in length, Saim Ayub cuts it straight to Paul Stirling who does excellent with the dive.

Angling in on a hard length, on the top of the middle, Saim Ayub pulls it with no real timing towards short fine for a single to end the over.

Shade outside off, full in length, Saim Ayub gets beaten as he tries to play this across the line to the leg side.

Full now, on off, Babar Azam plays it down to long on for an easy single.

FOUR! What a shot! Almost a half-tracker outside off, Babar Azam latches on the room and slaps it through cover-point for a cracking four.

Good length at the leg stump, Saim Ayub moves leg side and hits it over the bowler's head towards long on for a single.

Shade full in length, Babar Azam drags it from the off stump towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Short and at the pads, drifting in further, Babar Azam nudges to short fine with soft hands and fetches another single to end the over.

On a dragged length, on off, Saim Ayub drives it to covers for a single.

Good length, around the off stump, Saim Ayub punches it to cover.

Full, and at the leg and middle stump. Saim Ayub sweeps it to the right of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Length ball at the pads, Saim Ayub misses to pull it and gets hit on his pad.

SIX! Getting into the groove now! Tosses it up at the leg stump. Saim Ayub gets down on one knee and slogs it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.

Four! short at the middle and leg. Azam moves a tad off side and pulls it through the deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Good-length delivery outside off. Azam goes for a square cut but gets beaten by the bounce.

On the pads, full in length, Ayub misses his flick and it goes to the keeper's right brushing off his pads. Single leg-bye run taken..

Full in length, at the off stump, Babar Azam dabs it towards gully and collects a quick single.

Length ball, at the fourth stump line, Babar Azam looks to play it through the off side but gets beaten.

FOUR! Through the off side with grace! On a hard length, outside off, Babar Azam punches through the line through deep cover for a boundary.

FOUR! Nice shot! On the back of a length, just around off, Saim Ayub cuts it late and the ball goes through the deep point region for a boundary. End of the mandatory Powerplay. Pakistan are 38/1.

Nagging length, around off and middle, Babar Azam pulls it straight towards deep mid-wicket for an easy single.

Pitches up a bit, angles away after pitching on off, Babar Azam plays inside the line of the ball and gets beaten on the outside edge.

On a length, at the stumps, Babar Azam pulls it to short mid-wicket.

FOUR! Beautiful! On the back of a length, on the middle and off channel, Babar Azam stays put and pulls it with precision through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Begins with hard length, around off, Babar Azam skips down and hits it off the inside half towards mid on.

Curtis Campher is into the attack.

SIX! BANG! Saim Ayub makes the most of the pace this time. It is a short ball, that hurries on to him, on the bodyline. Saim Ayub swivels and smokes it over the square leg fence for a maximum. There was a man in the deep but he could not do anything about it.

Craig Young comes 'round the wicket and dishes a length ball, anglinig in, outside off. Ayub dances down the track and looks to go inside-out but is done by pace here.

Young serves a short one, around middle and leg. Azam pulls it to mid-wicket for one.

Good length, around off. Azam punches it to point, but straight to the fielder.

Back of a length, wide of off. Azam looks to cut it away but gets beaten here.

Shorter one, on the pads. Saim Ayub clips it behind square on the leg side for one.

Craig Young replaces Mark Adair.

Pitches it up, outside off. Azam leans into it and drives it well, but fails to find the gap here.

WIDE! Barry McCarthy errs in his line this time and goes down the leg side. The umpire signals a wide this time.

Good length, outside off, shaping away a bit. Azam looks to push it off his back foot but misses. The ball zips past the outside edge.

Length, on the pads, clipped into the leg side.

FOUR! Incredible shot down the park. It is a good-length ball, around middle and leg. Babar Azam steps outside the crease and swats it down the park for a boundary at long on.

A length ball, on the pads. Azam stays back and tucks it to square leg.

Hard-length ball, outside off. Azam gets on his front foot and pushes it gently back to the bowler. It comes off the middle but could not really keep it away from the bowler.

Back of a length, outside off. Ayub looks to pull it away but gets beaten. A solid end to the over by Mark Adair. He has gone for just 8 runs in his two overs. Ireland are not really allowing Pakistan to settle in here. One more wicket in the Powerplay and things could get much more interesting.

Mark Adair bangs in a short one, outside off. Azam gets it to the left of mid on. The fielder there dives to that side and makes a half-stop. One taken.

Length, around off, blocked out.

Good length, outside off. Azam stays back and tries to punch it away but cannot time it at all.

Fuller in length, outside off. Azam looks to chase it but gets beaten in the process.

FOUR! Gorgerous flick. It is a full one, on the pads. Babar Azam stays back and clips it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

FOUR! EDGY! Pitched up, full and outside off. Saim Ayub looks to crunch it through covers, but it catches the outside edge, sneaks through the gap at slips and it races away to the boundary.

Babar Azam, the Pakistani skipper walks out at number 3.

OUT! RUN OUT! What a wicket for the hosts. This is incredible work from Harry Tector at mid off to get rid of Mohammad Rizwan cheaply. It is a length ball, outside off. Ayub prods and pushes it gently in front of mid off. He ventures out looking for a single, Rizwan responds quickly, but Ayub with a late no-call. Rizwan turns around and hares towards the safety but even a dive could not save him here.

Is he short of his crease? A fantastic direct throw at the non-striker's end by Harry Tector compelled Mohammad Rizwan to retreat back to the runner's end and put in a full-stretched dive, but all in vain. As the side-on replay shows he is marginally out of the crease. OUT given. There was no run there to be fair.

A length delivery, on line of the leg stump. Saim Ayub looks to hoick it across the line but takes a blow on his thigh pads.

Swing and a miss! Barry McCarthy hurls it full, angling across the left-hander. Saim Ayub dances down the track and tries to smack it down the park but gets beaten on the outside edge here.

Length and on off, blocked out.

FOUR! Saim Ayub picks this one up nicely and scores the first boundary of the innings. It is a short ball, on the bodyline. Saim Ayub pulls it over mid-wicket and it races away to the boundary.

It will be Barry McCarthy to operate from the other end for Ireland.

A peach of a delivery to end the over. It is a full one, on fourth stump, shaping away. Rizwan looks to work it down town but misses.

Mohammad Rizwan tries to go after this good-length ball but misses.

Good length, outside off, shaping away. Rizwan lets it be.

Saim Ayub now rotates the strike as he knocks this length ball towards mid off.

Mohammad Rizwan opens his account now with a single.

Saim Ayub and Pakistan are off the mark. A length ball, on off, pushed into covers for one.

Done with the pre-match formalities. The two Pakistani openers Mohammad Rizwan and Saim Ayub walk out to the 22 yards. Ireland players have already taken their respective field positions. It will be Mark Adair to begin the proceedings with the new ball. And, here we go! Uh, oh! A halt first up as there's some issue with the sightscreen. The issue is resolved and Saim Ayub has taken his stance. Let's play...

Right then, both the teams are out now and have lined-up for their respective national anthems. It is going to be Pakistan's first followed by the one of the hosts.

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Babar Azam (C), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Abbas Afridi.

Ireland (Playing XI) - Paul Stirling (C), Mark Adair, Andy Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (WK), George Dockrell, Barry McCarthy, Ben White, Craig Young.

TOSS -  The coin goes up and lands in favour of Ireland. They will BOWL first.

Paul Stirling leading the side, and he also leads with the bat, the intent he shows is ideal for a T20 contest. Then you add some young-blood energy in the middle-order, with some quality bowling attack, then one can even say that Ireland are a complete package, but can they bring their A-game against one of the best? Only time will tell. Stay tuned as the toss is just around the corner.

It is not often that these two sides meet each-other, in fact, they only encountered once before this series that too back in 2009 for a T20I game. Ireland have certainly grown as a cricketing side over the years, and it will be very interesting to see how they come up against a formidable Pakistani side, because when it comes to T20 Pakistan is certainly up there. It's just that they find it a tad difficult to be consistent game in and game out. Although, Babar Azam is trying his best to change the attitude of the players, and with this series is hoping to put his team in the right direction. Babar Azam has plenty of quality players at his disposal and will hope to have an upper-hand in this game for the majority of the period, but this Ireland team is something else at home.  

Hello and a warm welcome to all! We know that one expects an Indian T20 League to be covered at this time of the day, but as that league is into its business end. Our attention now has started to shift towards the upcoming T20 World Cup which is just around the corner. Also, Ireland and Pakistan have realised that their it is time to kick-start their preparations for the same. The two sides go up against each other in a 3-match T20I series, in Ireland's backyard and we are here to kick-start this series.

... MATCH DAY ...

The T20 World Cup 2024 is on the horizon, prompting teams to engage in bilateral series for preparation. Pakistan embarks on a tour of Ireland for a three-match T20I series, aiming to recover from a drawn home series against a weakened New Zealand side. Led by the experienced duo of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan's batting lineup exudes stability. Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman add firepower at the top, while Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Imad Wasim strengthen the middle order. With a formidable pace attack featuring Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Mohammad Amir, Pakistan boasts depth and versatility in bowling. Wasim's spin expertise and Shadab Khan's all-round skills further enhance their chances, making them clear favorites for the series. Ireland sees this series as an invaluable opportunity to gain vital match practice and potentially spring surprises. Paul Stirling leads the team both tactically and with the bat, alongside Andy Balbirnie, as they seek to provide explosive starts. The middle order boasts quality players like Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, and Curtis Campher, eager to leave their mark ahead of the major event. Mark Adair and Barry McCarthy spearhead the pace attack, supported by Craig Young, while Ben White assumes the role of their key spinner. With a balanced unit, Ireland aims to seize every opportunity and pose a challenge to the formidable Pakistan side. This sets the stage for an intriguing contest, and fans eagerly await to witness which team emerges victorious.