Babar Azam & Co. suffer shock defeat as Ireland beat Pakistan by 5 wickets in 1st T20I

For the first time in fifteen years, Ireland and Pakistan faced off in a Twenty20 international match, and the hosts got over the line with five wickets remaining thanks to 77 runs from Andy Balbirnie. The only previous meeting between the teams occurred at the 2009 World T20. It was Ireland's first victory over Pakistan in the format.

This defeat coincides with the Pakistan cricket team's decision to settle for a 2-2 draw against the understrength New Zealand. The Men in Green lost the series even with 15 of New Zealand' best players were out of the field, and now they are down to a team that isn't even in the top 10 of the ICC's team rankings.

The home team produced two runouts earlier in the first inning, and Campher and Barry McCarthy took two outstanding long catches.

Pakistan was severely hindered in the middle overs by fast bowler Craig Young, who gave up just 27 runs while getting out Babar Azam and Azam Khan in the same over.

Iftikhar Ahmed provided them a boost at the end with an unbeaten 37, including 17 in the final over, to take Pakistan's score to a respectable total of 182.

Harry Tector laid the groundwork for the 183-run chase with a 77-run partnership with Balbirnie for the third wicket, while cameos from George Dockrell and Curtis Campher took Ireland over the line with 1 delivery remaining.

(With inputs from AP)

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