Umran Malik Defends 8 Off 3 In Last-Ball Thriller Against Ireland. Umran Malik bowled the final over and did well to keep his nerve as Ireland came within an inch of a famous victory in the second T20I.
Despite posting a daunting total of 225/7 in the second T20I at the Malahide Cricket Club in Dublin, Ireland gave India a run for their money. The Andy Balbirnie-led side batted bravely and pushed the match to the final delivery, but fell four runs short. With both George Dockrell and Mark Adair on fire, India captain Hardik Pandya turned to young pacer Umran Malik, who was playing only his second game for the country, for the final over, with Ireland needing 17 off it.
Umran got off to a good start, outpacing Adair and hitting a dot ball on his first delivery. He defeat Adair once more with his next delivery, but penalized for overstepping.
The free hit was smashed through cover for a boundary. Adair follow it up with another from a thick outside edge.
With the momentum on Ireland’s side, the equation was suddenly reduced to eight runs needed off three deliveries.
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Umran held his nerve to allow only three runs off the next three deliveries, sealing India’s 4-run victory.
Hardik Pandya explained why he chose Umran for the final over after the match.
“I was attempting to keep all of the stress out of my equation. I wanted to be in the present, so I supported Umran. He has speed, and it will always be difficult for him to get 18 runs “He stated.
Earlier, Deepak Hooda’s maiden international century and Sanju Samson’s 42-ball 77 propelled India to a total of 225/7.
The two put on a 176-run stand, India’s highest ever T20I partnership and the highest ever second-wicket partnership in men’s T20Is.
However, Ireland’s comeback was launched by Paul Stirling’s 18-ball 40. Balbirnie went on to hit 60 off 37 balls.
Harry Tector continued his good form from the first T20I, hitting 39 off 28 balls, before Dockrell (34* off 16 balls) and Adair (23* off 12 balls) almost got Ireland over the line for a famous win.
India has now won the series 2-0.
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