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Pakistan cricket team's pace-bowling spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi struck twice in the first over of the innings, knocking over Andy Balbirnie and Lorcan Tucker in the T20 World Cup 2024 match against Ireland at Lauderhill, Florida, on Sunday. The left-arm seamer had left Balbirnie clueless and almost got a third wicket as well.
Balbirnie was able to get bat on ball in the first ball and got beaten on the second. However, the textbook inswinger got the better of the right-hander as he was beaten on the drive. Meanwhile, Tucker got a brace off the first delivery he faced, but nicked the second as he played a loose drive on the up.
While Balbirnie couldn't open his account, Tucker scored two runs before getting dismissed.
With Shaheen hitting almost a perfect length to trap Harry Tector lbw, Babar Azam went for the DRS, but the impact was the umpire's call and the wicket returned as 'missing'.
Babar Azam opts to bowl first as Shaheen Shah Afridi backs call
Meanwhile, the toss fell in favor of Babar, who opted to bowl first, citing the presence of moisture. The Men in Green made a solitary change for the dead-rubber game as Naseem Shah missed out, drafting in a like-for-like Abbas Afridi. Ireland also made one change, bringing in Ben White for Craig Young.
Pakistan have had a forgettable campaign this year, beating only Canada in three matches after demoralizing losses to co-hosts USA and Team India. The 2009 world T20 champions lost to the USA in the Super Over, while they fluffed a relatively straightforward chase of 120 against India at the Nassau International County Stadium in New York. Hence, they will be keen to sign off the tournament on a good note.
Meanwhile, Ireland are winless in the showpiece event thus far, facing defeats to Team India and Canada, followed by the fixture against the USA resulting in a washout.
