Preview: The second match of the three-game T20I series between Ireland and Pakistan is set to take place at Clontarf Cricket Club Ground in Dublin| Reddy Anna. The match is scheduled for May 12 at 7:30 PM IST. In the first encounter, Ireland displayed a clinical performance, securing a convincing five-wicket victory. They showcased prowess with both bat and ball, notably restricting Pakistan to 182-6 before comfortably chasing down the target, with Andrew Balbirnie leading the charge with a score of 77.
Pakistan's recent losses, including one against a depleted New Zealand side, raise questions about their approach. Despite claiming to experiment for the upcoming World Cup, their performance in the first T20I suggests room for improvement. Pakistan's traditional strategy of a slow start and banking on late runs is becoming outdated, given the current par score of 200-210. This shift in scoring trends should prompt Pakistan to rethink their game plan and aim for higher totals from the outset.
Pitch Report: The pitch at Clontarf Cricket Club Ground generally favors batsmen. The recent match where Ireland successfully chased down a score of over 180 set by Pakistan underscores this point. While there might be early swing for bowlers, the wicket settles as the game progresses, providing a good batting surface. Teams batting first should target a score of around 200 to stay competitive.
IRE vs PAK Head-to-Head Record:
Matches Played: 02 Ireland won: 01 Pakistan won: 01 NR: 00
Probable Playing XIs:
Ireland: Paul Stirling (c), Andrew Balbirnie, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Craig Young, Benjamin White
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Azam Khan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abbas Afridi
Probable Best Batter of the Match: Babar Azam will be eager to bounce back after a disappointing performance in the first game. His talent is undeniable, and against a relatively weaker side like Ireland, Azam will aim to return to form and make a significant impact in this match to help Pakistan level the series.
Probable Best Bowler of the Match: Shaheen Afridi will look to stage a strong comeback after an underwhelming performance in the previous game. He will target delivering a stellar spell to support Pakistan in leveling the series, especially after the one-sided loss in the first match.
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