Pakistan made history in their third T20I clash against Ireland, with captain Babar Azam surpassing India’s Virat Kohli in setting new records. Despite an initial setback in the first T20I, Pakistan bounced back with consecutive wins to seal the series, securing a decisive 6-wicket victory in Dublin on Tuesday.
Babar demonstrated his batting prowess with a commanding 75 off 42 deliveries, including five sixes and six boundaries, solidifying his status as the top scorer with the most 50-plus scores in T20Is, achieving this feat for the 39th time. Notably, he became the first Pakistani batsman to score 25 runs in a single over against Ireland, smashing four sixes off Benjamin White’s bowling.
Teaming up with Mohammad Rizwan (56), Babar crafted a formidable 139-run partnership for the second wicket, laying a strong foundation for Pakistan’s triumph. Their collaboration marked their 10th century partnership in T20Is, a milestone unmatched by any other duo, and also saw them surpass the landmark of accumulating 3,000 partnership runs in the format.
Looking ahead, Pakistan is set to face England in a four-match T20I series, providing a crucial opportunity to refine their strategy ahead of the upcoming World Cup. The series is scheduled to kick off on May 22 at Headingley Carnegie, with the final match slated for May 30 at The Oval, London.