IRE vs PAK: Fakhar, Rizwan help Pakistan level series 1-1

• Pakistan won the 2nd T20I against Ireland.
• Ireland gave a massive target of 194.
• Pakistan registered the highest 3rd-wicket partnership.

In the second T20I, Pakistan triumphed over Ireland by seven wickets, bringing the three-match series to a 1-1 tie.

The Pakistani team successfully reached the target in the 17th over, thanks to the efforts of Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, and Azam Khan.

Pakistan had a rocky start in their chase, with Saim Ayub scoring only 6 runs and team captain Babar Azam getting out without scoring.

However, a significant partnership was formed between Rizwan and Fakhar. Their 140-run stand set a new record for Pakistan’s highest 3rd wicket partnership in T20Is, surpassing the previous record of 105 runs set by Rizwan and Haider Ali.

Rizwan scored an unbeaten 75 off 46 balls, including four sixes and six fours, while Fakhar contributed 78 runs off 40 balls, hitting six fours and six sixes.

Azam, the wicketkeeper-batsman, aggressively faced the Irish bowlers, scoring an unbeaten 30 off just 10 balls, which included one four and four sixes.

Earlier, Ireland set a record for their highest total at the Clontarf Cricket Club, scoring 193/7 after Pakistan chose to bowl first.

Pakistan’s bowling started strong with Shaheen Afridi taking the first two wickets, dismissing Paul Stirling (16) and Andy Balbirnie (11).

However, Ireland recovered thanks to a 62-run partnership between Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker. Tector was the top scorer for Ireland with 51 runs off 34 balls, while Tucker added 32 runs off 28 balls.

Curtis Campher and Gareth Delany also made valuable contributions, scoring 22 off 13 balls and an unbeaten 28 off 10 balls respectively, helping Ireland to post their highest total at the Clontarf Cricket Club.

Shaheen took three wickets but gave away 49 runs, while Mohammad Amir, playing his first match of the series, ended with figures of 1/44.

Abbas Afridi claimed two wickets for 33 runs, and Naseem Shah took one wicket for 36 runs.

The deciding match of the series will take place at the same venue on April 14.

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