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Shoaib Akhtar, Junaid Khan slam Pakistan after Ireland beat Babar Azam-led side in the 1st T20I

League: IPL

Posted on: 11 May, 2024 at 12:59 PM

Pakistan suffered an embarrassing loss against Ireland in the first T20I of the three-match series on Friday, May 10 at Clontarf Cricket Club Ground, Dublin. The loss hasn’t gone down well with the fans and former cricketers who are bashing the players left right and centre for their dismal performances just on the brink of the T20 World Cup 2024.

Shoaib Akhtar gets angry

Expressing their displeasure on their social media handles former Pakistan fast bowlers Junaid Khan and Shoaib Akhtar were left aghast with Babar Azam and his men who recorded Pakistan’s first loss against Ireland in their T20I history. Akhtar was left speechless by Pakistan’s performance and posted a couple of angry emojis on his X handle.

Junaid Khan stresses for introspection

On the other hand, Junaid stated that it was time for some serious discussions regarding the team’s performance after a drawn series against an inexperienced New Zealand side and now a shocking loss against Ireland.

“We need to seriously check out what mistakes are being made. With such a big event coming up, the team is struggling. First, we only managed to level the series with a weaker New Zealand side and now we have lost our first t20 against Ireland. Some serious discussion needed,” wrote Junaid on his X handle.

Also WATCH: IRE vs PAK – Harry Tector hits the bullseye to run out Mohammad Rizwan in the first T20I

Andrew Balbirnie shines in Ireland’s win

Coming back to the game, after being put in to bat first, Pakistan posted a good score of 182/6 in their allotted 20 overs. The visitors were jolted by an early loss in the form of their opener Mohammed Rizwan who departed for 1 (4).

However, contributions from Saim Ayub (45 off 29), Babar Azam (57 off 43), and Iftikhar Ahmed (37* off 15) helped Pakistan cross the 180-run mark. In reply, Ireland chased down the score on the penultimate delivery of the match with former captain Andrew Balbirnie top-scoring with 77 (55).