Balbirnie guides Ireland to first T20 win over Pakistan

Andrew Balbirnie’s 77 helped guide Ireland to their first Twenty20 victory over Pakistan as the hosts won by five wickets with just a ball to spare in Dublin on Friday.
The dramatic encounter gave Ireland a 1-0 lead in a three-match series against a Pakistan side they will also face in the group stage of next month’s T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies.
The only time the teams had met previously in the format was during the 2009 World T20.
Harry Tector, who made 36 and added 77 with Balbirnie for the third wicket, laid the groundwork for Ireland’s pursuit of a target of 183 before Curtis Campher (15 not out) finished the job.
Ireland needed 40 to win from the last four overs, with Abbas Afridi dismissing George Dockrell for 24.
Next over, with Ireland requiring another 28 from 17 balls, Shadab Khan gave Balbirnie a reprieve by failing to hold a tough chance.
Come the penultimate over, Ireland’s target was down to 19.
But Pakistan quick Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled Balbirnie with a low full toss to end the opener’s impressive 55-ball innings, which featured 10 fours and two sixes.
With Ireland needing 11 off the last over, Campher under-edged a boundary off Abbas and eventually sealed victory with a leg bye.
Balbirnie, the Player of the Match, said: “I didn’t watch the last over; went to the tent and put a towel over my head. I felt it was my job to get the team over the line. I believe Curtis (Campher) played a ramp shot. To do that in a pressure situation was great. Harry said if we could bat normally till the 13th over, we could get the runs. That was a partnership which set it up. Yes, I was disappointed to get out on the full toss.”
Paul Stirling, the Ireland captain, said: “We are absolutely delighted. We wanted to start the summer well and it was almost a perfect day for us. When you come here, especially from Pakistan, the flattest pitches in the world, ask them to bat first and see what they can get. We were happy to chase 180. Brilliant knock from Balbirnie, he got through the powerplay and picked up the pace later. It was a fantastic knock. We have had great games here especially against Pakistan. Absolutely delighted to get over the line.”
Earlier, Pakistan skipper and star batsman Babar Azam top-scored for the tourists with a brisk 57 after losing the toss before falling to Craig Young.
Babar said: “The pitch was two-paced. I think 190 would have been a par score. We lost in the fielding and batting; don’t think we executed the plans. Few fielding lapses cost us. We attacked in the first six overs but didn’t finish well. I think we were ahead in the first 10 overs but not in the last 10 overs.”
The series continues in Dublin tomorrow.
BRIEF SCORESPakistan: 182-6, 20 overs (Babar Azam 57; C Young 2-27)
Ireland: 183-5, 19.5 overs (A Balbirnie 77; Abbas Afridi 2-36)
Result: Ireland won by five wickets Series: Ireland lead three-match series 1-0