Ireland continued their dominant form in the T20 format by securing a thrilling four-wicket victory against Pakistan in the second match of the series at Clontarf Cricket Club in Dublin. This win not only sealed the series for Ireland but also extended their winning streak to nine consecutive games in this format.

Match Highlights

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first. Despite a solid start from Shawaal Zulfiqar (27) and Muneeba Ali (33), they were bowled out in consecutive overs by Lara McBride and Cara Murray. McBride and Murray continued their impressive form, taking crucial wickets to restrict Pakistan to a total of 168.

Ireland faced early setbacks in their chase, with Amy Hunter run out for just six runs. Captain Gaby Lewis and Leah Paul were both dismissed in the fifth over, leaving Ireland in a precarious position. However, Orla Prendergast steadied the innings with a crucial 51 runs, including two sixes, before being dismissed by Rameen Shamim.

Laura Delany (42) and Rebecca Stokell (34) played pivotal roles in bringing Ireland closer to the target. The match reached its climax in the final over, with Jane Maguire hitting a six off the last ball to secure a dramatic victory for Ireland.

Series Outlook

With this win, Ireland has now clinched the series with one game to spare. They will look to continue their dominance in the final match against Pakistan on Sunday at 16:00 BST at the same venue. Ireland’s recent form, including a 3-0 series win against Zimbabwe, has established them as a formidable force in the T20 format.

Key Performers

• Orla Prendergast: Top scorer for Ireland with 51 runs.
• Lara McBride: Took crucial wickets to restrict Pakistan’s total.
• Jane Maguire: Delivered the match-winning six in the final over.

This victory not only highlights Ireland’s growing prowess in international cricket but also sets the stage for an exciting final match in the series.