Pakistan vs Ireland, ICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2024 Full score card

SIX! BANG! That's it, it's all over! Gareth Delany tosses the ball up again around off stump, quite full as well. Shaheen Afridi stays deep in the crease and gets down on one knee before smashing the ball away a long, long way over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. PAKISTAN WIN BY 3 WICKETS!

This is nicely tossed up full on the stumps, Babar Azam leans on and drives it down to long on for a single.

DROPPED! A difficult chance but Paul Stirling should have taken it and had he done so, Ireland would have been back in it. Gareth Delany brings out the googly and floats it up outside off stump, Shaheen Afridi swings hard at it but cue ends it and the ball goes quickly over first slip where Paul Stirling gets a hand on it but cannot hang on. Single taken.

WIDE! A bit quicker and fuller but pushed well outside the off stump, Shaheen Afridi tries to reach it but fails to do so. Wide called.

SIX! Finally, that decisive blow comes from Pakistan and it is Shaheen Afridi who has hit it. Tossed up full around off, in the slot and too much air on that one. Shaheen goes down on one knee and whacks it over long on for a biggie.

Tossed up full on the legs, Babar Azam gets on the front foot and pushes it down to long on for a single.

Pushed through a bit fuller and around off stump, Shaheen Afridi solidly blocks it to the off side.

Nagging length, bowled on the off stump line, Shaheen Afridi opts to go on the back foot and defends it past first slip.

OUT! CAUGHT! Spin has done the trick here and Ben White picks up a huge wicket. This is flighted up but on a dragged length on middle stump. Abbas Afridi skips down the track but doesn't quite get to the pitch of the ball and forces the lofted shot very high towards long on. There's not enough power on it and the substitute fielder, Ross Adair settles under it to take a fine catch under pressure. Still, 12 needed and Pakistan have three wickets in hand. Also, Shaheen Afridi walks out to bat now.

Fractionally short and outside off, Babar Azam rocks back and cuts it in front of the point region for one more.

Dug in a bit short but flatter as well around off, Abbas Afridi rocks back to pull but miscues it badly and back over the bowler's head towards mid off for a single.

Floated up full and outside off stump, Abbas Afridi gets a big stride across the off stump looking to pull it fine but misses. He gets struck on the pads and there is a bit of an appeal for LBW which is turned down. Paul Stirling though reviews it in hopes off a miracle. The third umpire is called in and there's no bat involved as confirmed by UltraEdge and Ball Tracking shows the impact as outside the line of off stump. It stays NOT OUT and Ireland have lost both their reviews.

Tidy from Gareth Delany and now Pakistan need 14 runs off 18 balls. Tossed up quite full on middle, Abbas Afridi drives it away down to long on and picks up a single.

Beaten! This one is looped up full and around off stump, Abbas Afridi looks to drive but it is too full and gets beaten. The keeper pouches it safely and after a bit of confusion, Paul Stirling sends it upstairs to check if there was a nick or not. The first replay shows that the bat hit the ground and the ball went past the inside edge and then UltraEdge confirms that there was no edge on it. NOT OUT!

Tossed up on the off stump line, Babar Azam leans ahead and shows the full face of the bat before driving it down to long off for a single.

Flighted up on the legs, Abbas Afridi gets on the front foot and flicks it away through mid-wicket for a single.

Full and at the stumps again, Abbas Afridi pushes it out towards mid on.

Is that out? Well, the ball bounced adjacent to the shoe of Abbas Afridi, which saves the batter.

Starts with a leg break and tosses it really full on off and middle. Abbas Afridi jams it back to the bowler and the Irish players will that is caught and bowled. It seemed to be a bump ball but the umpires have sent it upstairs. The replays roll in and it looks like the ball took the inside edge, bounced and then lobbed up off the boot and NOT OUT comes up on the big screen.

Oh, for a second, Babar's heart would have been in his mouth! Curtis Campher takes some pace off this delivery and bowls it just a smidge fuller on the stumps. Babar Azam looks to get on the front foot but the ball stops on him and he gets a leading edge that falls short of mid off.

Back of a length and in the channel outside off, Abbas Afridi presses back and opens the bat face to play it towards backward point for a run.

SIX! Oh, that's gone all the way and Ireland cannot believe it. Dug in short again by Curtis Campher but this time Abbas Afridi is ready and pulls it away over the square leg fence for a maximum.

Nice and full, almost gets it in the blockhole around off, Abbas Afridi jams the ball out to the man at short cover.

Back of a length and around off, punched away off the back foot wide of covers for a single.

Up in the air but falls in no man's land! A well-directed bumper, right at the batter's face, Abbas Afridi looks to take it on and miscues the pull around backward square leg. The keeper scampers towards it but won't reach it. A single is taken.

Back of a length and outside off stump, Abbas Afridi stays back and dabs it away wide of the gully region for a quick single. 26 needed now off 30 balls.

Good length around middle, trying to slide it into the pads, Babar Azam gets inside the line and flicks it down to fine leg for an easy single.

FOUR! Trademark cover drive from Babar Azam and that will make him feel a lot better. A shade too full and wide, Babar leans on and creams it square through covers for a boundary.

Another dot ball and a hobbling Joshua Little is doing a fine job so far. Puts a bit more effort in this delivery and bangs it in halfway down the pitch but slower too. Babar Azam pulls but without any timing and towards mid-wicket.

Back of a length again and around off stump, Babar Azam plays it off the back foot and gets it down towards the cover fielder.

Back of a length and at the body, Babar Azam blocks it with soft hands just on the off side and looks for a quick single but he is sent back.

Just short of a good length and in the channel around off, gently moving away as well, Abbas Afridi looks to dab it away but is beaten past the outside edge.

FOUR! Well, that's one way to release the pressure. Pitched up right in the slot around middle stump, Abbas Afridi clears the front leg and slogs the ball off the inner half of the bat between mid on and mid-wicket for a boundary.

The pressure is being built up on Abbas Afridi with these dot balls. Bowled back of a length and around off stump, Afridi presses back and dabs it down to short third.

Just a bit full and outside off again, Abbas Afridi has a go at it but is well beaten again.

Nicely bowled! On a hard length again but outside off and this one seams away after pitching. Abbas Afridi has a poke at it but the ball beats the outside edge.

Hits the deck hard and bowls it around off, Babar Azam stands tall and wrists the ball away in front of mid-wicket for a run.

This is dug in short as well and outside off, Abbas Afridi mistimes the pull and gets it in front of the man at mid-wicket.

Full and just angling in from off stump, Babar Azam flicks it away towards deep square leg and picks up a single.

Banged in halfway down the pitch and around off, Babar Azam does well to ride the bounce and hammers the pull well in front of square on the leg side for a couple of runs.

Back of a length again and around off, Abbas Afridi hangs back and angles it away towards third man for one more.

Back of a length and angling it in from around off stump, Abbas Afridi stays back and blocks it back on the deck.

Short of a length and over middle, Babar Azam gets on top of the bounce and pulls it away through the square leg region for just a single.

Hard length over middle and leg, Babar Azam works it off his legs and in front of square on the leg side for a single. End of a brilliant spell from Barry McCarthy as he finishes with figures of 4-1-15-3.

Back of a length and around off stump, Babar Azam hops back and plays it away in front of point.

On the fuller side and right at the stumps, Babar Azam plays it with a straight bat but right towards the bowler.

Just back of a length and over off stump, Babar Azam presses back and just tucks it away with soft hands into the vacant spaces around mid-wicket and picks up a couple of quick runs.

Good length, honing in around middle and angling it in, Babar Azam leans on and tentatively plays it just to the right of the bowler.

Pitched up a bit around off stump, Babar Azam gets on the front foot and gently plays it to the left of the bowler.

Abbas Afridi walks out next to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! Harry Tector with a stellar catch and Imad Wasim cannot believe it. Short and wide from Curtis Campher, there to be put away. Imad stands tall and looks to slap the ball away but hits it flat and straight towards backward point where Tector takes a sharp catch with both hands just to his right and Pakistan are in deep trouble now.

Digs it in well shot over off and tries to angle it back in, Imad Wasim hops and keeps it down on the off side.

FOUR! Good shot and very much needed from Pakistan's point of view. Just too full and straight, Imad Wasim drives it on the up and drills it to the right of mid on for a boundary.

Banged in halfway around off and middle, Babar Azam looks to pull it flat but miscues it badly towards mid on for a single.

Hits the deck hard and bowls it over middle, this one stays just a tad low and Babar Azam tucks it straight to mid-wicket.

A snorter of a delivery that! Curtis Campher bustles in and bangs it into the deck around off stump, gets the ball to angle in and shoot off the deck. Babar Azam manages to sway away from the line of the ball.

Drinks break! Well then, the game is pretty evenly poised at the moment and Pakistan will be wondering how they got themselves in such a position here. They did a decent job in the Powerplay and seemed to be cruising but lost quick wickets and the Irish bowlers are now growing in confidence. With half the side down, everything now depends on skipper Babar Azam to get his side out of this hole. Ireland will now believe they can wrap things up quickly if they get one more wicket here. Let's see how this game eventually pans out.

Back of a length outside off, Imad Wasim goes fishing and misses.

Good length around off, Imad Wasim punches this to cover for no run.

Good length on off, Imad Wasim defends this off the front foot.

Imad Wasim walks in with Pakistan in a spot of real bother.

OUT! ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST! Half-volley around the pads, Shadab Khan looks to flick and loses his body shape as he falls over this but gets a faint edge to it back to the keeper to his left. Lorcan Tucker does well to dive low to his left and pouch this. A sensational phase of play for Ireland.

Back of a length angling down leg, Shadab Khan misses the block and the ball hits him on the pads. Appeal by the Irish team but the umpire turns it down.

Shadab Khan is the new man in.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Good length around off, holds into the surface a bit. Usman Khan throws his hands at it and gets an outside edge lobs into the hands of Harry Tector at backward point. Tense moments for Pakistan.

Good length angling into the batter, Usman Khan tucks this through square leg for one.

Back of a length around off, Babar Azam dabs this in front of short cover and takes a quick single.

Short-pitched in middle, Babar Azam pulls this off the cue end towards mid-wicket and scampers back for two.

Fuller outside off, Babar Azam pushes this back to the bowler.

Short-pitched outside off, Usman Khan dabs this towards third man region for one.

Usman Khan comes in at number 5.

OUT! Another brilliant catch and Fakhar Zaman has to walk back. Pitched up outside off, Fakhar Zaman looks to loft this over mid off but Ross Adair moves well to his right and takes a good catch timing his jump to perfection.

The umpire gives the Irish skipper, Paul Stirling for not starting the next over in 60 seconds and right after that, Joshua Little struggles in his run-up and seems to be suffering from cramps. The physio is out to have a look and we have a slight delay. Little was seen holding his right calf and is now walking off the pitch. Little was about to come back into the attack but now it will be Curtis Campher who will bowl in his place.

Fuller outside off, Fakhar Zaman lofts this through cover for one.

On a length around leg, Babar Azam tucks this towards the right of Joshua Little at mid on and takes a good single.

Good length around off, Fakhar Zaman punches this through cover-point for one.

Bumper around leg, Fakhar Zaman goes for the pull and misses.

Fuller around off, Fakhar Zaman drives this to extra-cover for no run.

Back of a length around off, Fakhar Zaman dabs this towards backward point and was looking for one but Babar denied it.

Wrong'un around off, Fakhar Zaman gently places this wide of cover-point to his left for one.

Short of a length around off, Babar Azam leans back and cuts this through point for a single.

Fuller in middle, Babar Azam swivels and nudges this towards deep mid-wicket and takes a couple.

Tossed up in middle, Babar Azam defends this off the front foot.

FOUR! Half-tracker around the pads, Babar Azam sweeps this over the short fine fielder and gets a boundary.

Short of a length around off, Fakhar Zaman cuts this towards deep point for one.

Pitched up on the pads, Fakhar Zaman flicks this towards the left of mid-wicket and takes one.

Fakhar Zaman is the new man in.

OUT! SPLENDID TAKE TO REMOVE RIZWAN! On a length around the pads, Mohammad Rizwan flicks this and connects well but gets unlucky to find the tallest fielder in the outfield stationed at the fence towards deep square leg. Mark Adair times his jump to perfection and pouches a brilliant catch keeping his balance well to not touch the boundary skirting.

Back of a length around off, Mohammad Rizwan dabs this to short third for no run.

On a length around the pads, Mohammad Rizwan tucks this through mid-wicket for a couple.

WIDE! Barry McCarthy gets away with this as Rizwan misses a connection with the ball down leg.

FOUR! On a length drifting down leg at a gentle pace. Mohammad Rizwan swipes at it with one hand off the handle and gets a boundary towards deep square.

Good length outside off, Babar Azam punches this wide of cover-point for a single.

On a length around off, Mohammad Rizwan drives this towards mid off and this time Tector doesn't throw it.

FOUR! Poor effort behind the stumps and Rizwan gets four to his account. Pitched up on off, Mohammad Rizwan drills this to mid off. Harry Tector throws at the striker's end and Lorcan Tucker fails to gather this behind the stumps. The ball races away for four behind the stumps.

Yorker on middle and leg, Mohammad Rizwan rolls it towards mid on for no run.

WIDE! On a length sliding down leg, Mohammad Rizwan misses the flick.

Good length on the pads, Mohammad Rizwan flicks this in the empty pocket through square leg and comes back for the second.

On a length around the pads, Babar Azam tucks this towards deep fine leg to get off the mark.

Skipper, Babar Azam walks in at number 3.

OUT! A good catch by Lorcan Tucker sees the end of Saim Ayub. On a length around off, Saim Ayub looks to drag this over towards the on side, gets an outside edge hanging high over the keeper to his right. Lorcan Tucker does well to judge this well and pouch this backpaddling.

Good length in middle and leg, Saim Ayub pushes this towards the leg side for a single.

FOUR! Pitched up around the pads, Saim Ayub was quickly onto it as he flicked this wide of mid-wicket for a boundary. The outfield is slow but not slow enough. Also, Joshua Little has received a second and final warning for running into the danger area. One more instance and he will be out of the attack.

FOUR! Saim Ayub is getting used to the pace of the pitch well. Short-pitched around leg, Saim Ayub swivels and pulls this flat towards the empty pocket at deep square region for four.

Short-pitched into the body, Saim Ayub looks for the tap and run but Rizwan denies it.

Good length on off, Saim Ayub cuts this towards point for no run.

LEG BYE! On a length shaping down leg, Mohammad Rizwan tucks this off his pads towards square leg for one.

SIX! DISPATCHED! On a length slightly onto his pads, Saim Ayub latches onto this and flicks this all the way for a maximum over the deep square leg fielder.

Good length pitching on off and shaping in. Saim Ayub blocks it out.

Fuller one wide of off, Saim Ayub goes for the drive and gets beaten again.

Back of a length around off, Saim Ayub swipes at it and misses.

Good length angling across the batter, Saim Ayub looks to poke at it and gets beaten.

Good length around the pads, Mohammad Rizwan nudges this towards deep fine leg for a single.

Bends his back and hits the hard length outside off, Saim Ayub looks to cut this but gets beaten.

Good length in middle and off, shaping away from the left-hander. Saim Ayub dabs this towards mid on for no run.

Pitched up on the pads, Saim Ayub flicks this into the empty pocket towards deep square for a couple.

Back of a length around off, Saim Ayub dabs this towards point for no run.

Short and wide outside off, Saim Ayub looks for the square cut but misses.

Good length on top of off, Saim Ayub punches this back to the bowler.

Joshua Little to operate from the other end.

Too full around the pads, Mohammad Rizwan flicks this towards mid-wicket for no run.

Back of a length in middle and leg, Mohammad Rizwan defends this towards the leg side for no run.

JAFFA! Good length on off, shaping away after pitching. Mohammad Rizwan looks to block this and gets beaten on his outside edge.

Back of a length around off, Mohammad Rizwan thumps this towards point for no run.

FOUR! LIGHTENING QUICK! Pitched up in middle, Mohammad Rizwan dances down the track and smashes this right past the bowler to his left for a boundary towards long off.

Sideways movement to start with. On a length around off, shaping away from the batter. Mohammad Rizwan looks to block this but gets beaten.

Darts one quicker on off, Joshua Little rolls this to long on for one to close the innings. Ireland manages to score 106 after 20 overs.

Flights this around off, turns it away from the batter. Joshua Little looks to slog and misses.

Fuller outside off, Joshua Little thumps this back towards the bowler.

Tossed up outside off, Joshua Little looks for the sweep but misses a connection with the bat.

Arm delivery sliding down leg, Joshua Little looks for the reverse sweep again and misses.

Slower one around off, Joshua Little reverse sweeps this over the fielder at backward point for a couple.

Too full on leg, Joshua Little rolls this through mid on for a single. Joshua Little retains the strike with this single for the final over.

Full toss in middle, Joshua Little punches this back to the bowler.

SIX! SMOKED! Slower one once again around the leg, Joshua Little clears his front leg and slogs this way behind the fence towards the long on region for a maximum.

Slower full toss around leg, Joshua Little gets it away towards wide long on. Joshua Little denies the single on offer as he was expecting a no ball.

Back of a length around off, Ben White dabs this to Shadab Khan at backward point and runs aimlessly. Shadab Khan aims at the stumps and misses. Had the ball hit the stumps this would have been it for the Irish innings.

Back of a length outside off, Ben White goes fishing and misses.

Yorker on off, Ben White guides this with the open face of his bat towards sweeper cover for one.

Wide yorker outside off, Ben White leaves it all alone.

Full toss in the line of stumps, Ben White punches this to cover for no run.

Slower one full around off, Joshua Little pushes this through cover-point for one.

FOUR! A lack of effort in the deep from Abbas Afridi gets a boundary to Joshua Little. On a length around middle and leg, Joshua Little moves to his leg and slogs towards the deep mid-wicket region.

Yorker on off, Joshua Little jams this of the inner edge back towards Rizwan to his right.

Pitched up outside off, Ben White gets tempted to poke at it and once again he gets beaten here.

This seems to be the story of the over as Ben White pushes at a delivery angling across and misses again.

Good length outside off, Ben White pushes at it and gets beaten again.

Bumper around leg, Ben White looks to duck down on this. Gets hit on the shoulder on its way to the keeper. Mohammad Rizwan takes this and claims a catch but the umpire says not out as the ball has missed the bat and gloves.

Good length angling across the batter, Ben White pushes at it and gets beaten.

Good length angling away from the right-hander, Ben White pokes at it and gets beaten.

Tossed up in middle and leg, Ben White tucks this towards the leg side for a single to end the over.

Too full around off, Ben White pushes this gently towards cover.

Short of a length around off, Joshua Little plays this late and dabs this away from Shadab Khan at first slip for one.

Tossed up in the line of stumps, Ben White pushes this away for one.

Fuller on off, Ben White defends this off the front foot.

Considerable spin from Imad. Tossed up around off, Ben White looks to dab this towards off but misses. The ball gets a bit of backpad on its way to the keeper.

FOUR! Valuable runs for Ireland. On a length in middle, Joshua Little gets away from the line of it and slogs. Little gets it wide of Shaheen Afridi at mid on and the ball races away for four.

Back of a length around off, Ben White punches this through cover for a single.

Pitched up wide outside off, Ben White goes for the drive and misses.

Play and a miss. On a length outside off, Ben White pokes at it and gets beaten.

Good length outside off, Ben White leaves it all alone.

On a length around off, Joshua Little chops this off his inner edge towards the leg side for one.

Ben White is the last man in for Ireland.

OUT! BINGO! The ploy to take on Imad is not working for Ireland. Tossed up on leg, Barry McCarthy moves further to his leg and looks to loft this over mid off but misses completely and the ball goes on to dislodge the bails.

Quicker and flatter around off, Joshua Little rolls this to long on for one.

Flights one around leg, Joshua Little looks for the reverse sweep and misses. The ball goes on and hits him.

Joshua Little is the new man in.

OUT! A COLLISION BUT Shaheen Afridi HOLDS ON! Tossed up in middle, turning away from the batter. Mark Adair goes for the slog but the bat slices in his hands at the time of connection with the ball. The ball gets more elevation than distance and lands in the safe hands of Shaheen Afridi at the long on fence. Usman Khan and Shaheen Afridi both had their eyes on the ball and they did not call for it. Ends up colliding with each other but Shaheen Afridi gathers it safely.

Short of a length around off, Mark Adair cuts this off the under edge towards the off side for no run.

Slower and wider of off, Mark Adair looks to cut off the backfoot but misses.

Good length around leg, Barry McCarthy flicks this towards dep mid-wicket region and takes two.

Good length outside off, Barry McCarthy comes forward to push at it but gets beaten on his outside edge.

Good length on top of off, Barry McCarthy punches this on the bounce towards the fielder at short cover.

Hits the hard length outside off, Mark Adair just helps it on its way towards third man for one.

Back of a length outside off, Mark Adair gets tempted to poke and it abd gets beaten yet again.

On a length around off, Mark Adair looks to punch this but gets beaten all ends up.

Quicker and flatter on off, Barry McCarthy gets on top of it and blocks it out.

Tossed up on off, turning away form the batter, Barry McCarthy slices this towards the off side for another dot ball.

Arm delivery in middle, Barry McCarthy chops it onto his pads for no run.

Barry McCarthy is in next.

OUT! DANGEROUS DELANY DEPARTS! Drifting in and turning away from the batter, Gareth Delany looks to nudge this on the leg side but closes the bat face early, gets an outside edge towards Shadab Khan at backward point for a soft dismissal.

Touch fuller around off, Mark Adair punches this wide of Babar this time towards deep cover and gets one.

Short of a length around off, Mark Adair moves back towards his leg and smashes this towards Babar at cover for no run.

On a length outside off, Gareth Delany cuts this towards deep third for a couple.

SIX! HIGH AND HANDSOME! On a length in the slot, Gareth Delany swings hard and connects well the ball flies over the fence towards the deep square leg region for a maximum.

WIDE! Fuller one sliding down leg, Gareth Delany swings and misses. The umpire signals wide.

Low full toss on the pads, Mark Adair chips this towards deep mid-wicket for one.

WIDE! Full and wide down the leg, Mark Adair leaves it.

FOUR! EDGED AWAY! Back of a length again around off, Mark Adair swipes at it and gets an outside edge behind the stumps toward third man region for a boundary.

Back of a length outside off, Mark Adair looks for the slog and misses by some margin.

Good length in middle, Gareth Delany tucks this towards the leg side and takes one.

Drinks break! A pretty amazing first 10 overs from Pakistan's point of view and their frontline pacers made excellent use of the early conditions. They picked up wickets inside the Powerplay and the Irish batters didn't have much of an answer. There were a few bad shots as well and now, Ireland have found a bit of consistency. They still need to work hard but 120 or so might not be out of reach from here.

DROPPED AND FOUR! Shadab Khan brings out the googly and drops it short on leg stump, Mark Adair rocks back to pull and hits it a bit flat towards deep square leg. Haris Rauf has ample time to run around from deep backward square leg but is a bit casual and ends up grassing the ball on the leap. The ball lands just short of the fence and goes into the ropes.

Flatter again and quicker at the stumps, Mark Adair looks to back away and cut but mistimes it badly once again.

Bowled flatter now and at the stumps, Mark Adair looks to pull but miscues it completely and the ball goes nowhere.

On the fuller length and around off, pushed away towards mid off for a single.

A bit of turn now! Drags the length back and bowls it slower on off stump, this one turns away and Gareth Delany gets it off the outside edge down past first slip.

SIX! Shadab Khan is welcomed into the attack with a maximum. Tossed up full and right in the slot on middle and leg, Gareth Delany clears the front leg and hits through the line, smoking it well over long on for a biggie.

Full and straight at the stumps, Mark Adair keeps the front leg out of the way and digs it out to mid-wicket.

In the air but will land safely! Another one that is bowled a bit slower and this one is angled into middle and leg. Gareth Delany clears the front leg and goes hard at it but ends up getting a top edge much fine of third man and picks up a single as well.

Slower delivery, bowled back of a length and over off stump, Gareth Delany backs away to take it on again but is beaten by the lack of pace.

Hits the deck hard and angles it well into the body. Gareth Delany tries to back away but the ball jags back in sharply and hits him around the groin region.

SIX! Wow, that has been smoked by Gareth Delany. Banged in quite short and over middle, trying to angle it in. Not all that short and Delany just smashes the pull high over deep mid-wicket for the first maximum of the game.

Haris Rauf seems to have taken a hard blow around the right knee on the follow-through and is in a bit of pain. The physio is called in to have a look and the magic spray also comes out. Rauf seems fine and we can continue.

Oh, hit hard and straight at the bowler who seems to have taken a stinging blow to the right thigh. Pitched up on off stump, Gareth Delany stays leg side of the ball and lathers the ball back at the bowler. It was a catching chance but a very, very tough one and as Haris Rauf looked to get his hands to it, the ball had already hit him around the right knee.

Short of a length again and angled into the batter, Gareth Delany backs away and clubs the ball without much timing over the mid-wicket region. The fielder from behind deep square leg runs around as the ball slows down and he is able to save the boundary. Three runs taken there.

A tad shorter and angling into the batter, Mark Adair flicks the ball away past square leg and picks up another single.

On the bounce! Short of a length and outside off, there to be hit. Gareth Delany throws his hands at it and slices the ball aerially towards third man for a single.

Slightly back of a length and around off stump, Mark Adair lets the ball come on and just dabs it down with soft hands towards third man for a single.

Leg bye! A direct hit from Mohammad Amir at the bowler's end but Gareth Delany was well in. Full again and angling it into the legs. Gareth Delany plays all over the ball and the ball goes off the pads to the left of covers. Mark Adair is quick to call for the single and Delany does set off eventually. The third umpire is called in and the replays confirm that Delany was well in.

Starts from over the stumps and pitches the ball up around off stump, Mark Adair with a good-looking shot off the front foot and he gets it wide of mid off for a single.

And again! Banged in quick and short around off, the ball lifts off the deck as well. Gareth Delany looks to thrash it over the off side but is beaten for pace and bounce.

Swing and a miss! Quick and a bit short outside the off stump, Gareth Delany throws his bat at it but is well beaten.

Good length on the pads, tucked away wide of the man of fine leg for a single.

Mark Adair is the new batter in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Curtis Campher has thrown his wicket away but that is good, persistent bowling from Haris Rauf and he gets a wicket in his first over. Rauf bangs this one in quick and on a hard length outside the line of off stump. It isn't all that short and Campher tries to fetch and pull the ball away. The ball gets sliced up high in the air off the outer half of the bat and towards square leg. Saim Ayub settles under it and takes a good catch.

Now, that one took off! Not that quick, at 135 clicks but banged into the deck around off and middle. This one angles in and just shoots off the deck as the batter is left bamboozled and that is a good take from Mohammad Rizwan leaping up behind the stumps.

Begins from over the stumps and bowls it a bit short and wide of the off stump. The ball doesn't quite get up after pitching and Curtis Campher plays a loose cut shot that he ends up missing.

Just back of a length and on off stump, Gareth Delany goes back and across to block it on the off side.

FOUR SHOT! On a hard length, bowled a bit wider of the off stump, Gareth Delany stays leg side of the ball and thrashes it square on the off side for a boundary.

Gareth Delany is the next batter in.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Mohammad Amir now picks up his second wicket and the decision to give both frontline pacers an extra over has worked out well for Pakistan. Excellent change-up from Amir as he brings out the slower delivery, the leg cutter and bowls it a bit into the pitch around middle and leg. The ball stops on George Dockrell and he ends up just jabbing at the ball. The ball takes the shoulder of the bat and lobs to the right of the bowler who takes a simple catch.

Sees the batter charging down the track and bowls a good bumper over the leg stump. The height is excellent and George Dockrell is well beaten as he looks to take on the pull.

Bowled on a fuller length and in the channel around off stump, George Dockrell plays it on the up towards cover and denies the single.

Bowls it back of a length and around off stump, extracting a bit of extra bounce as well. George Dockrell does well to ride the bounce and keeps it down on the off side.

Comes from around the stumps now and bowls it full on the stumps, George Dockrell clears the front leg and drives it straight back past the bowler. Abbas Afridi from mid on chases it down and manages to keep the ball in. The batters do well to pick up three runs.

FOUR! Shot of the morning so far! A juicy half-volley around the off stump line, George Dockrell plants his front foot across and strokes it through extra cover for a lovely boundary.

FOUR! Up and away! George Dockrell with a shot that will give the Irish fans something to cheer about. Pitched up wide of the off stump, Dockrell gets a bit low and throws his hands at it, slashing the ball over the point region and for a boundary.

Quite full, trying to swing it back in from middle and leg, George Dockrell stays put and just pushes it away to mid on.

Bowled on a fuller length and in and around the off stump, George Dockrell plays it out towards mid off.

Beaten! Nagging length around off stump, this one goes on with the angle, George Dockrell looks to play at it but the ball beats the outside edge.

Full and in the blockhole around off stump, Curtis Campher goes right across the off stump and attempts the scoop but fails to connect.

Back of a length and angling across the right-hander, Curtis Campher is late on the shot and miscues it to mid-wicket.

On a good length and shaping back into the pads, Curtis Campher flicks it away through the mid-wicket region and picks up a couple of runs.

Just short of a good length and around off, Curtis Campher looks to punch it away on the off side but gets an inside edge back onto the body.

Oh, another risky shot from Curtis Campher. Pitched up on leg stump and swinging back in, Campher steps out and looks to heave but misses the shot completely.

Another appeal for caught behind but turned down. Pitched up outside off stump and slanting across the right-hander, Curtis Campher looks to drive but gets beaten past the outside edge.

George Dockrell is in at number 6.

OUT! LBW! Finally, Shaheen Afridi does get one decision his way and Pakistan now have their fourth wicket. Very full again and on middle and leg stump, swinging back in a fair bit. Harry Tector looks to get across the stumps and flick it away but misses and gets hit on the boot of the back leg. Shaheen pleads for the LBW and the finger goes up. No review taken by Tector and he walks back after a brief discussion with the non-striker. Oh, dear! The replays show that the ball was pitching outside leg stump.

Full and around off stump, tentatively played away towards mid off.

Beaten! Full and outside off stump, angling away, Harry Tector looks to play the expansive cover drive but the ball zips past the outside edge and straight to the keeper. Shaheen Afridi feels there is an outside edge but doesn't get much support. No reviews left though and the replays show that indeed there was a faint edge.

Full and around off stump, squeezed away on the off side for a single.

Another huge appeal for LBW but it is turned down. That was really full but seemed to be swinging a fair bit as well and Babar Azam has taken the review. Shaheen Afridi pitches this one up very full and right at the toes, Curtis Campher looks to flick it away but misses and gets hit right on the toes. The ball shoots off the toes and goes over the slip cordon into the fence. Nothing on UltraEdge and Ball Tracking shows that it pitched outside leg stump. It will be four leg byes.

Nagging length and in the channel around off stump, this one doesn't nip back in either and Curtis Campher plays well inside the line of that one.

TWO WIDES! That just kept on going! A bit fuller but well wide of the off stump and this one keeps angling away after pitching. Mohammad Rizwan springs across but can't get to it and the batters get an extra run.

Oh, that is a risky shot from Curtis Campher. On a hard length on leg stump and shaping back in a long way. Curtis Campher charges down the track and looks to thump it down the ground but is beaten all ends up.

FOUR! Oh, that nipped back in sharply! Good length around the top of off stump and angling back in a long way. Curtis Campher is late on the shot and is lucky to get an inside edge on that one. The ball goes past the leg stump and races away to the fine leg fence.

Curtis Campher walks in with Ireland in a spot of bother.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Catastrophic start from Ireland but a more than perfect start for Pakistan here. Mohammad Amir comes in from over the stumps and just shortens the length a bit, bowling it with the wobble seam and angling it away from middle and leg. Paul Stirling shuffles to the leg side and comes down to open up the off side but only manages to get an outside edge which is gobble up by Mohammad Rizwan behind the stumps.

Leg bye! Good length again and around leg stump, Harry Tector gets across the stumps and looks to flick it away but misses. The ball rolls off the pads behind square leg and they get a leg bye. Half an appeal for LBW but nothing doing.

Bowls this one a bit fuller and a bit wider of the off stump and gets it to angle away, Harry Tector gets across the off stump and makes a leave.

On a good length and around off stump, Paul Stirling presses forward and eases it to covers for a quick single and he gets off the mark right away.

Mohammad Amir to share the new ball with Shaheen Afridi.

Excellent onfield decision! Shaheen Afridi steams in and pitches the ball up again around off stump and forces the batter to play at it. Harry Tector looks to drive but seems to have been beaten past the inside edge. The ball takes a bit of pad and goes to the keeper. There is a huge appeal for LBW but it is turned down. Shaheen Afridi is certain that this is out and eventually, Babar Azam takes the review. Nothing on UltraEdge and Ball Tracking shows the wickets as missing. NOT OUT!

Harry Tector is the new man in.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! A double whammy for Shaheen Afridi inside the first over and Ireland are 2 for 2 with only five balls played. Shaheen pitches this one right up on the off stump line and gets the ball to go on with the angle rather shape back in. Lorcan Tucker looks to drive on the up but gets a thick outside edge that goes straight into the gloves of Mohammad Rizwan behind the stumps.

Streaky first up from Lorcan Tucker but he is off the mark and so are Ireland. Just short of a good length and around off stump, Tucker walks down the track to avoid the movement and gets an inside edge past the stumps down to fine leg for a couple of runs.

Lorcan Tucker walks in a number 3.

OUT! TIMBER! Shaheen Afridi with a wicket in the first over and Andy Balbirnie departs for a duck. Shaheen bowls this one on a good length around off and middle stump, Balbirnie looks to drive it through covers but it isn't full and the ball just slides back on after pitching. Balbirnie is beaten through the gate and the ball smashes into the stumps. Shaheen is delighted and rightfully so.

A half-hearted shout for LBW but probably missing leg stump. A tad full and on middle and leg, this one hits the deck and nips back in a bit. Andy Balbirnie looks to flick but misses and gets hit high on the pads.

Nice and full to begin with but no signs of any swing. This is pitched up right on the off stump, trying to shape it back in, Andy Balbirnie watchfully pushes it out towards cover.

Done with the pre-match proceedings and it is now time to get the match underway! The two umpires are out in the middle and the players of Pakistan are seen taking their places on the field. It will be the usual duo of Andy Balbirnie and skipper Paul Stirling that will open the innings for Pakistan. Shaheen Afridi has been handed the new ball and is raring to go. Let's play...

We are just a few minutes away from the start of the game but first, the match officials walk out to the middle and they are followed by the two sets of players who will line up for their respective national anthems. It will be the national anthem of Ireland first followed by that of Pakistan.

The Irish skipper, Paul Stirling says that they would have bowled first as well and now will look to put runs on the board. Adds that they did manage to beat Pakistan leading up to the World Cup and didn't go on to win the series but this is a World Cup game and the feeling is different. Informs that they have one change in the side as Ben White comes in for Craig Young.

Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan says that they will bowl first as the pitch has been under covers for three days. He adds that as a professional you need to prepare for each game and look to win it. Ends by informing that unfortunately Naseem Shah is out and Abbas Afridi comes in to replace him.

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

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam (C), Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Abbas Afridi (In for Naseem Shah), Haris Rauf, Mohammad Amir.

TOSS - The flip of the coin lands in favour of Pakistan. Babar Azam decides to BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Ramiz Raja is pitchside. He starts by saying that there is no rain but the outfield is still wet. Waqar Younis joins him and says that it has been under covers and reckons that the groundstaff have done well to prepare the pitch and a few grassy spots on the pitch will also aid the pacers. They add that the pitch is a bit damp and soft which will make things tricky for the batters and the captain who will win the toss should look to bowl first.

Ireland on the other hand have been pretty sub-par with their overall play and the batting just hasn't clicked at all, especially their experienced opening pair of skipper Paul Stirling and former skipper Andy Balbirnie. They looked in fine form coming into the World Cup with a few wins on the trot and that included inflicting defeat upon Pakistan as well. The Irish will look to use those wins against Pakistan to find some motivation and put on a much better all-round display than they have thus far. But will they be able to do so? Or will Pakistan get the win and send Ireland back home without a single win to their name? We shall find out in due course. Toss and team news in a bit.

Pakistan had their fate sealed when the game between Ireland and USA was washed out and USA got the one point they needed to qualify alongside India from this group. Things could have been completely different for Pakistan and they have only themselves to blame for those two losses against USA and India early on. They did manage to beat Canada but the team seems to be lacking cohesiveness and the batting has been all over the place. Skipper, Babar Azam and his deputy Mohammad Rizwan have mustered up runs but have been guilty of being a bit too passive with their approach and will be itching to go out and put on a much better showing to round off their campaign.

Hello and welcome back to Lauderhill in Florida for Match number 36 of the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup where Pakistan will go up against Ireland in the final game in Group A. We have had three washouts in Florida so far but thankfully, the weather forecast for this game looks very good with almost no chance of rain. On the cricketing front though, these two sides have had an underwhelming campaign and are out of competition but both teams will be eager to finish the campaign on a high.

... MATCH DAY ...

The Super 8s of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 are just a stone's throw away, and the excitement is through the roof as some teams have punched their tickets to the next round. However, this tournament has been a real roller coaster ride, with some major upsets along the way. Powerhouse nations like New Zealand and Pakistan have been shown the door much earlier than expected, while underdogs like the co-hosts USA have defied all odds and advanced to the next level in their maiden outing, turning the cricketing world on its head. Match 36 is a mere formality as Pakistan locks horns with Ireland in Group A. Both teams have had a World Cup campaign to forget, being knocked out of contention early after dropping their first two games. With nothing but pride to play for, this dead rubber clash is just going through the motions for the dejected outfits. Although Pakistan is coming off a victory against Canada, their campaign went horribly off-track as they lost to the USA in the Super Over, a heartbreaking defeat that will sting them for a long, long time. They then faced a demoralizing loss against India where they failed to chase down a modest total that derailed their campaign. The batters failed to bring their A-game to the party, leaving the bowlers high and dry time and again. And true to form, their shoddy fielding came back to haunt them and prove their undoing yet again this year. While Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam raked in the runs, their sluggish strike rates were a thorn in their side that invited criticism time and again. The batting duo's inability to break free from their shackles and cut loose had a domino effect on the batters to follow. Fakhar Zaman and Usman Khan too had a disappointing campaign. It's fair to say that Pakistan's batting lineup is overly dependent on the Rizwan-Babar duo, carrying the weight of the batting. If this pair fails to break the shackles, the middle order struggles to find its footing. However, Pakistan has historically been a force to be reckoned with when it comes to their bowling attack. The spearheads like Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Mohammad Amir didn't disappoint, leading the charge and delivering the goods. Although Haris Rauf struggled to keep a lid on the run flow, overall, they were decent, and had they received some responsible support from the batters, things might've been different for them. Ireland's campaign was also a non-starter as they failed to get any momentum going, tripping at the first hurdle with losses against India and surprisingly against Canada. Much like their rivals, they seemed like a fish out of the water, struggling to come to terms with the difficult conditions and failing to adapt their game accordingly. Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie, both seniors would be eager to break the shackles and get amongst the runs after an arid spell. Lorcan Tucker, Harry Tector, and Curtis Campher have all been off-color lately, failing to find their mojo and get into the groove. The all-rounders George Dockrell and Gareth Delany did put up a gritty fight against Canada, but couldn't quite get Ireland over the line as the top order went haywire. The pacers, on the other hand, ensured the wickets column kept ticking. Craig Young and Barry McCarthy, in particular, have been the pick of the bowlers, leading from the front while Delany too has pulled their weight as an all-arounder. Will Ireland end their campaign with a win or will Pakistan dominate? Or will rain play a spoilsport as the probability of an uninterrupted play looks bleak at the moment at Lauderhill, Florida? With nothing to gain from here in this competition, both teams might provide an opportunity and test the bench strength as well. Which team do you think will dominate?