Pakistan fought back from a series deficit to tie the three-match T20I series against Ireland 1-1. Their victory was spearheaded by a brilliant knock from Mohammad Rizwan, who was named Player of the Match. However, it was Rizwan’s post-match comments that truly stole the show, earning him respect from fans across the border.
Rizwan, who anchored the chase with an unbeaten 75 off 46 balls, acknowledged the influence of Indian batting legend Virat Kohli on Pakistani batsmen. This came after a question highlighted that both Rizwan and Kohli are the only batsmen to average above 50 in T20I cricket. “We have learnt a lot of things from Virat Kohli; I respect him,” Rizwan stated.
The chase itself wasn’t straightforward. After a shaky start that saw Pakistan lose their openers cheaply, Rizwan found a crucial partnership with Fakhar Zaman (78 off 40 balls). Together, they stitched up a 140-run stand for the third wicket, putting Pakistan firmly in control. Azam Khan later provided a late flourish with a quickfire 30 not out off just 10 balls, securing a comfortable seven-wicket win.
Reflecting on the match, Rizwan acknowledged the difficulty of the chase, especially against bowlers familiar with the conditions. He emphasized the importance of attacking from the outset, especially with the T20 World Cup approaching. The marquee tournament is scheduled for June 2-29 in the US and West Indies, with India and Pakistan placed in the same group and set to face each other in New York on June 9th.
Pakistan will play one final T20I against Ireland on May 14th before embarking on a four-match T20I series in England. This will serve as their final preparation before the T20 World Cup kicks off.
1️⃣2️⃣th Player of the Match award for @iMRizwanPak in T20Is - most for a Pakistan player in this format 🌟#IREvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/HSl694gFMg
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 12, 2024
Kohli averages 51.75 in T20Is, having scored 4037 runs in 109 innings at a strike rate of 138.15. Rizwan, on the other hand, averages 50.38 in T20Is for his 3124 runs in 82 innings, which have come at a strike rate of 127.92.
About the match and his partnership with Zaman, Rizwan said: “It was not an easy chase because the Ireland bowlers knew their conditions better. They gave us a difficult time early on, but we decided that chasing 194, we have to attack. You’re always under pressure when you lose, especially with the (T20) World Cup around the corner.”
The T20 World Cup is scheduled for June 2–29 in the US and West Indies. India and Pakistan are in the same group and will face off in New York on June 9.
The decisive third T20I between Pakistan and Ireland will be played on May 14, after which the Babar Azam-led squad will leave for England, where they will play four T20Is before flying off to the US for the T20 World Cup.
