The commentary is not available for this match. Please check the scorecard for latest updates.
Pakistan fans would be relieved and joyous in the same breath today. This win of theirs has set up the series decider beautifully. Ireland would be miffed about not being able to close down a historic series win after putting on a good performance for the more than half of this game. But they would have another shot at history on Tuesday. The visitors would want to try a few more things but sealing the series will be their number one priority. We will be there to call the action. For now, Darpan Tikiya and Bala wave you goodbye with their tired fingers. Stay tuned to Sportskeeda for more sporting action.
Mohammad Rizwan (75* off 46 balls, Player of the Match): The whole match they played very well against us. So I have to give them credit. Chasing 194 is not an easy task especially against the Ireland bowlers because they know the conditions well. You always feel pressure when you lose. But when you look at the other side of the page, Ireland know how to use the conditions well. (On becoming the second player to have 300+ T20I runs with a 50+ average) I don't really look at my average. If you look at averages, you are an average player. If you look at conditions, you win matches. I have huge respect for Virat Kohli so it is good company.
Babar Azam (Pakistan Captain): It is a relief. Credit to the two batters (Fakhar and Rizwan). After the bowling innings we decided that we are going to look to chase this in 18 overs. We capitalised in the powerplay today. Before the start there was a bit of a rain. But we were not worried about that. I think we bowled well in the second half of our innings but in the last 3 overs they took the game away. We wanted to restrict them to 170-180. Rizwan is experienced and he was positive with his intent. That is not easy in Ireland because the ball keeps on moving a bit throughout. We are going to give 100% in the last game. It is a very good Irish side. I am looking forward to the next match and hopefully, the crowd will come to support us.
Paul Stirling (Ireland Captain): We were pretty much in the game. We thought it's a 180-plus game. But 180 wasn't enough on the other day, you never know. At the halfway point, we definitely gave ourselves a chance. But brilliant batting in the end. Those dropped chances cost us a little bit. It's important to take early opportunities. We were well beaten in end. Pretty happy with the energy around the team. Fielding has been good for the last year. So just give the lads a tap and see how it goes on Tuesday. There are options with the ball, but today it didn't feel those were the options to go to. Certainly think it's a fair result, 1-1. All to play for, big game on Tuesday.
Post match presentation is coming up. Meanwhile, you can go through the summary of the match posted below.
Pakistan win by 7 wickets and with 19 balls to spare. The series is levelled 1-1. Ireland 193/7 (20 overs) Lorcan Tucker 51 (34) | Shaheen Afridi 3/49
Pakistan 195/3 (16.5 overs) Fakhar Zaman 78 (39) | Graham Hume 1/32
That performance would put smiles back on the faces of the Pakistan fans who were disappointed after what transpired in the first T20I of the series. Pakistan looked hungrier today. They were better in the field and were bolder with their intent with the bat in the powerplay. However, this victory wasn't achieved without encountering any speed bumps on the way.
Their bowlers were not able to contain the Irish batters and at the half way stage of this match, the consensus was that Ireland had got a challenging score on the board. That target of 194 started seeming even more imposing when Pakistan lost two wickets pretty early in the chase.
But then, Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Rizwan got together. They had a partnership of 140 runs in just 77 balls. That game changing partnership could have, in fact, been nipped in the bud. Ireland had two opportunities. But they spilled both. The culprit was Graham Hume. He unfortunately, could not hold the two catches that came his way and Ireland never quite recovered.
Azam Khan came out to bat towards the end and had a bit of a fun. His 10-ball-30 would have been enjoyed by the fans. He hit 3 consecutive sixes off Ireland's best bowler to take his team home.
17.0
16.6 Mark Adair to Azam Khan, SIX! That's a brutal finish! Slower ball in the slot. Azam Khan picks the change in pace, makes some room and smacks it straight back over the bowler
Pakistan are now one hit away.
16.5 Mark Adair to Azam Khan, too short this time, flies over the batter