IRE Vs PAK 1st T20I | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

Pakistan players during home series against NZ in April (AP)

Pakistan will commence their week-long tour of Ireland with the first T20I match against hosts on May 10. The three-match series between the two teams serves as a prelude to next month’s T20 World Cup 2024 for both sides.

IRE vs PAK 1st T20I: Team Previews

Ireland

The Ireland cricket team recently lost their three-match T20I series to Afghanistan in UAE by a 1-2 margin. Chasing 158 for a win in the series-decider, Paul Stirling and co. managed to tally just 98 to fall 59 runs short of their target.

Earlier this week, the Ireland Cricket Board unveiled their 15-player squad for the forthcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in West Indies. Several members lined up for the tournament are also included in Ireland’s T20I challenge for Pakistan as part of their pre-T20 World Cup preparations.

Andy Balbirnie and captain Paul Stirling will hold key to Ireland’s chances against Pakistan owing to their seniority. Both cricketers have played over 100 T20I matches each, and will start out as their most experienced batters. All-rounder Mark Adair and wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker also hold key experience, alongside in-form youngster Curtis Campher.

Pakistan

The Pakistan cricket team, under the leadership of Babar Azam, levelled their five-match home T20I series against New Zealand last month. Notably, Babar was re-appointed as team captain after Shaheen Afridi’s short tenure as leader coped a 1-4 hammering in New Zealand earlier this year.

Captain Babar Azam and star batter Fakhar Zaman plundered the most runs for their team against New Zealand. Fast bowler Shaheen Afridi, meanwhile, snared eight wickets from just four innings and delivered timely breakthroughs for Pakistan throughout the series.

Interestingly, pacer Hasan Ali was called back into the national setup for the series against Ireland and England, and his presence will be expected the bolster Pakistan’s bowling attack. Haris Rauf and Azam Khan, who missed the series against New Zealand, are also included in Pakistan’s squad for Ireland T20Is.

With a disappointing performance at the 2023 World Cup in India, coupled with disastrous tours of Australia and New Zealand, the ‘Men in Green’ will be aiming to string up a few wins in Ireland in a bid to gain momentum in their road towards next month’s T20 World Cup 2024.

IRE vs PAK 1st T20I: Match Details & Live Streaming

IRE vs PAK 1st T20I: Dublin Pitch Report

The Castle Avenue in Dublin, also known as the Clontarf Cricket Club Ground, generally provides considerable assistance to fast bowlers, especially with the new-ball. The average first innings total at the venue in T20Is lies in the range of early 130s. As per the overall track record of the stadium, captain winning the toss will likely opt to field first.

IRE vs PAK 1st T20I: Probable Playing 11

Ireland: Andy Balbirnie, Paul Stirling (c), Lorcan Tucker (wk), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Craig Young and Ben White.

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed.

IRE vs PAK 1st T20I: Fantoss Fantasy Tips

IRE vs PAK 1st T20I: Winner Prediction

Pakistan cricket team, under Babar Azam, will be considered as firm favourites to defeat Ireland in the opening T20I and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.