Ireland vs Pakistan – 1st T20 International Preview & Prediction
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THE FACTS
When is Ireland vs Pakistan on and what time does it start? Ireland vs Pakistan will take place on Friday 10th May, 2024 – 15:00 (UK)
Where is Ireland vs Pakistan taking place? Ireland vs Pakistan will take place at Castle Avenue, Dublin
TV AND STREAMING
Viewers in the UK and Ireland can watch this match live on TNT Sports and stream it via the discovery+ App.
Viewers in Pakistan can watch this match live on Ten Sports and Tapmad
Viewers in Bangladesh can watch this match live on Nagorik TV
Viewers in India can stream this match live on Fancode
IRELAND PREP FOR T20 WORLD CUP
For the first time since 2009, Ireland are set to face Pakistan in a competitive T20i fixture as they build towards the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. This is the first game of a three-match series before Ireland’s tri-series which includes them, Scotland and hosts Netherlands.
Paul Stirling captains the Irish T20 side, which includes key batters Harry Tector and Andrew Balbirnie. Ross Adair, brother of Mark has been called up to the squad, whilst the likes of Curtis Campher and George Dockrell will also be important players.
VISA DELAY RENDERS PAKISTAN’S AMIR UNAVAILABLE
Pakistan are set to be without fast bowler Mohammad Amir for this first T20i of the series after a delay in him receiving his visa led to the squad travelling to Ireland without him. Amir is set to link-up with the tourists on Friday in time for both the second and third matches.
Aside from him, Pakistan are at full-strength with Babar Azam leading the team. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Rizwan are all pivotal parts of Pakistan’s T20 line-up and the bowling department especially is where their options are so stacked, with Zaman Khan, Naseem Shah and Hasan Ali all vying for a place in the XI.
THE PREDICTION
It’s hard to see these Irish batters, even on a flat pitch being able to fend off the sheer brute force of this Pakistan pace arsenal. Despite the likely small boundaries, Pakistan will be expected to lock-up the Ireland top order and keep them fairly restricted. With plenty of batting depth also at their disposal, back the tourists to strike first in this series.
TIP: PAKISTAN TO WIN
