India on Tuesday won the 2nd T20 match against Ireland to win the 2 match series 2-0. The tour saw of the best performers in the domestic and IPL T20 circuit play under Hardik Pandya. It was first taste at captaincy for the 28 year old from Baroda who had captained Gujarat to a title win just a month ago in the IPL. One of the names that the fans were excited to watch was that of Umran Malik. The 22 year old pacer was in devastating form in the IPL picking over 20 wickets.
The story as it happened –
Ireland were chasing 226 to win the game after the Indian batters, Deepak Hooda with 104 and Sanju Samson with 77 ran riot. India posted a massive 225 for 7 on the board as sixes and fours flowed off the willow. Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie gave Ireland a flying start with 72 runs coming in the first 6 overs. Stirling scored 18 ball 40, while captain Balbirnie scored 60 off 37 balls with seven maximums. The Indian bowlers were under the pump and also shoddy fielding helped the match get closer. Ireland needed 31 off 12 as Harshal Patel was given the 19th over and he conceded 14 runs to keep Ireland in the hunt.
Umran Malik’s chance to shine as drama takes shape in the final over–
Umran Malik was given the last over of the game after it seemed that Hardik Pandya may bowl it himself. Ireland needed 17 off the last over as the match caught steam. The first ball off the over was bowled at 142 K as Adair had a swing and a miss to make it 17 from 5. Mark Adair faced the 2nd ball of the over which was again bowled at 142 KPH and yet another swing and miss. There was drama though, as the ball was deemed a no-ball and it was 16 from 5 balls. The free hit ball saw Adair crunch the ball through the covers for a four. It was now 12 runs from 4 balls as the ball which was clocked at 144 KPH made its way to the boundary at over 200 KPH.
Umran Malik redeems himself –
Ireland needing 12 from 4, saw the 3rd ball fly over the third man for a four as it made it 8 from 3. The 90 MPH ball just flew as the ball got the edge of Adair’s bat and the tension was palpable in the Indian camp. The 4th ball of the over saw Umran Malik bowl a brilliant yorker as Adair could get only a single. 5th ball was again a yorker to George Dockrell and the equation was six runs from the last ball of the game. Umran Malik bowled one short and all Adair could do was take a single. India won the game by 4 runs and the bowler let out a roar of delight.
Hardik Pandya lauds Umran Malik
Umran Malik bowled 4 fours and gave away 42 runs and picked the wicket of Lorcan Tucker for 5. Umran shot to the headlines during the IPL by bowling at 157 KPH in a game against Delhi Capitals. Speaking at the end of the game captain Hardik Pandya said “I was trying to keep all the pressure out of my equation. I wanted to be in the present and I backed Umran. He has pace, with his pace it’s always going to be tough to get 18 runs”. Umran malik helped India get out of a tight spot in a tense situation, hopefully gets a chance during the India tour of England in weeks time.