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Pakistan suffered an embarrassing loss against Ireland in the first T20I of the three-match series on Friday, May 10 at Clontarf Cricket Club Ground, Dublin. The loss hasn’t gone down well with the fans and former cricketers who are bashing the players left right and centre for their dismal performances just on the brink of the T20 World Cup 2024.
Shoaib Akhtar gets angry
Expressing their displeasure on their social media handles former Pakistan fast bowlers Junaid Khan and Shoaib Akhtar were left aghast with Babar Azam and his men who recorded Pakistan’s first loss against Ireland in their T20I history. Akhtar was left speechless by Pakistan’s performance and posted a couple of angry emojis on his X handle.
😤😠
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) May 10, 2024
Junaid Khan stresses for introspection
On the other hand, Junaid stated that it was time for some serious discussions regarding the team’s performance after a drawn series against an inexperienced New Zealand side and now a shocking loss against Ireland.
“We need to seriously check out what mistakes are being made. With such a big event coming up, the team is struggling. First, we only managed to level the series with a weaker New Zealand side and now we have lost our first t20 against Ireland. Some serious discussion needed,” wrote Junaid on his X handle.
Also WATCH: IRE vs PAK – Harry Tector hits the bullseye to run out Mohammad Rizwan in the first T20I
We need to seriously check out what mistakes are being made. With such a big event coming up, the team is struggling. First we only managed to level the series with a weaker New Zealand side and now we have lost our first t20 against Ireland. Some serious discussion needed.
— Junaid khan (@JunaidkhanREAL) May 10, 2024
Andrew Balbirnie shines in Ireland’s win
Coming back to the game, after being put in to bat first, Pakistan posted a good score of 182/6 in their allotted 20 overs. The visitors were jolted by an early loss in the form of their opener Mohammed Rizwan who departed for 1 (4).
However, contributions from Saim Ayub (45 off 29), Babar Azam (57 off 43), and Iftikhar Ahmed (37* off 15) helped Pakistan cross the 180-run mark. In reply, Ireland chased down the score on the penultimate delivery of the match with former captain Andrew Balbirnie top-scoring with 77 (55).
