Ireland have caused an upset in Dublin, chasing down the 183-run target set by Pakistan in the first of their three-match T20I series. The visitors, who would have expected to beat the European minnows in the first T20I on Friday, were given a reality check, right before the T20I World Cup 2024.
Pakistan have travelled to Ireland for a three-match T20I series, followed by a visit to England for a round of four T20Is.
Ireland's five-wicket win over Pakistan on Friday is nothing less than an upset. Meanwhile, the spotlight has been shone on Pakistan's failure to breach the 200-run mark in T20Is in the recent past.
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Pakistan's failure to score 200 after batting first detailed
Pakistan are a full-member nation of the International Cricket Council. Out of all the 12 Full Member nations, Pakistan are the only team to have not set a target over 200, while batting first since 2022.
On Friday, against Ireland, the Green Shirts could only score 182/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Ireland chased down the 183-run target right at the end (19.5 overs). Pakistan in hindsight, would have hoped to have scored above 200 runs, to be able to win the game, quite comfortably.
It has only pointed out their timid approach to batting, with the likes of Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan facing a lot of flak for their approach.
Since 2022, Pakistan is the only Full Member team that has not set a target of 200 in men's T20Is. #IrevPak
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) May 10, 2024
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What next for Pakistan?
Pakistan are currently in Ireland, for a three-match T20I series. After losing the inaugural match in Dublin on Friday, the Green Shirts would shift their focus to Sunday. The second game of the three-match series will be played on May 12, at the Clontarf Cricket Club Ground, in Dublin.
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