T20 World Cup 2024
Pakistan end their disappointing T20 World Cup with a win
|| CF DESK ||
Shaheen Shah Afridi took three wickets and then hit two sixes to win the game as Pakistan ended a disappointing T20 World Cup with a three-wicket win over Ireland on Sunday at Lauderhill.
Ireland recovered from a poor start to make 106-9 with Gareth Delany making 31 off 19 balls and although Pakistan wobbled, captain Babar Azam's 32 off 34 balls steadied the ship and avoided another defeat.
Pakistan's shock defeat to the USA and loss to India meant they were already eliminated from second round contention before Sunday's final Group A game in Florida.
After the first three games at the venue were all abandoned because heavy rains caused a waterlogged outfield, the overwhelmingly pro-Pakistan crowd were rewarded with some top class opening bowling.
Left-arm seamer Shaheen Shah Afridi did the bulk of the damage picking up three early wickets as Ireland's top order was ripped apart.
The Irish, who have not been able to practice for the past week due to wet facilities, were in deep trouble at 32-6 with seamer Mohammad Amir also picking up two wickets on a surface that was offering plenty for the quick bowlers.
But Gareth Delany provided some much needed resistance for the Irish, blasting three sixes as he made 31 from 19 balls.
Delany's entertaining knock -- and a 44 run partnership with Mark Adair -- came to an end when Imad Wasim's slow left-arm spin found the edge and Shabad Khan ran in from point to make the catch.
Adair tried to keep the momentum going but he departed for 15 when he slogged Imad to long on and Afridi held on to the catch despite Usman Khan colliding with him.
All-rounder Imad picked up his third wicket bowling Barry McCarthy but Josh Little provided some valuable lower order runs with his unbeaten 22 taking Ireland to three figures.