Ireland players, from left, Andrew Balbirnie, Barry McCarthy and Harry Tector celebrate after their side’s victory in match one of the Floki Men’s T20 International Series against Pakistan at Castle Avenue Cricket Ground in Dublin. Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Andy Balbirnie scored a superb 77 from 55 balls to set up a stunning five-wicket victory over Pakistan at Clontarf that gives Ireland a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three T20 international series.
The Boys in Green bowled and fielded tenaciously to restrict the tourists to 182-6 on the fast-scoring Castle Avenue ground, and after a couple of early losses Balbirnie paced the chase masterfully as he found 10 fours and two maximums.