In a nail-biting clash at Clontarf Cricket Club, Dublin, Ireland Women clinched an unassailable 2-0 lead in their three-match T20I series against Pakistan Women on August 8, 2025. Chasing a formidable 169, Ireland pulled off a dramatic four-wicket win on the final ball, thanks to a towering six from Jane Maguire and standout performances from Orla Prendergast, Laura Delany, and Rebecca Stokell. This victory, steeped in resilience and clutch heroics, underscores Ireland’s growing prowess in women’s cricket and sets the stage for an exciting series finale on August 10.
A Chase for the Ages at Clontarf
The second T20I was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Ireland overcoming early setbacks to chase down Pakistan’s imposing 168-6. Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Rameen Shamim’s fiery 3-36, struck early, reducing Ireland to a precarious 35-5 by the end of the powerplay. The dismissals of Amy Hunter (run out) and two quick wickets from Shamim in the sixth over seemed to tilt the game in Pakistan’s favor. However, Ireland’s middle order had other plans.
Orla Prendergast’s gritty 51 off 37 balls, laced with elegant strokeplay, anchored Ireland’s recovery. Her 76-run partnership with Laura Delany (42 off 33) over 9.2 overs wrested momentum back, providing a platform for the late drama. When Prendergast fell to Shamim in the 16th over, Ireland still needed 58 runs off 28 balls. Enter Rebecca Stokell, whose unbeaten 34 off 16 balls—packed with boundaries and fearless intent—earned her the Player of the Match award. Her 49-run stand with Delany off just 23 balls kept Ireland in the hunt.
The climax was pure theatre. With 22 runs needed off the final two overs, Delany and Stokell smashed 13 runs off Fatima Sana’s penultimate over, only for Delany to fall on the last ball. Nine runs were required off the final over, bowled by Pakistan’s ace spinner Sadia Iqbal. Iqbal’s tight bowling left Ireland needing four off the last ball, but Jane Maguire, in a moment of sheer audacity, launched a six over long-on to seal the victory, sending the Clontarf crowd into a frenzy.
Pakistan’s Batting Firepower Sets the Tone
Pakistan’s total of 168-6, their fourth-highest in T20I history, was built on a blend of aggression and depth. Openers Shawaal Zulfiqar (33) and Muneeba Ali (27) provided a solid 62-run start in eight overs, capitalizing on a batting-friendly Castle Avenue pitch. Their dismissals on consecutive balls sparked a brief wobble, but Eyman Fatima (23 off 16) and Natalia Parvaiz (31 off 17) unleashed a blistering 43-run stand, peppering the boundary with seven fours and a six. Captain Fatima Sana’s quickfire 23 off 16, including a six, and Tuba Hassan’s unbeaten 10 ensured Pakistan posted a challenging total.
Ireland’s bowlers, led by Cara Murray and Lara McBride (2 wickets each), fought back to curb Pakistan’s momentum. Murray’s variations and McBride’s disciplined lines prevented Pakistan from crossing the 180-mark, setting up a chase that tested Ireland’s mettle.
Key Performers: Ireland’s Resilience Shines
Orla Prendergast (51, 3-28 in the series opener): Her half-century was a masterclass in pacing a chase, blending caution with aggression. Her earlier all-round heroics in the first T20I (29 runs and 3-28) highlight her growing stature as Ireland’s linchpin.
Rebecca Stokell (34 off 16): The Player of the Match, Stokell’s late blitz turned the game. Her ability to find gaps and clear the ropes under pressure was pivotal.
Laura Delany (42 off 33): The veteran’s composure steadied Ireland after a top-order collapse, proving her worth in high-stakes scenarios.
Jane Maguire (6 off 1): Her last-ball six was the defining moment, marking her 50th T20I cap with a flourish.
For Pakistan, Rameen Shamim’s 3-36 and Fatima Sana’s 4-26 (from the first match) showcased their bowling depth, but their batting faltered under pressure in the clutch moments.
The Series Context: Ireland’s Ascendancy
Ireland’s victory in the second T20I follows their 11-run win in the series opener on August 6, where Prendergast’s all-round brilliance and Amy Hunter’s 37 set the tone. With a 2-0 lead, Ireland have already secured the series, a significant milestone under new head coach Lloyd Tennant. Their recent 3-0 T20I sweep over Zimbabwe Women in July 2025 boosted their confidence, and this series win against a higher-ranked Pakistan (8th vs. Ireland’s 9th in ICC T20I rankings) signals their readiness for the 2026 T20 World Cup in England.
Pakistan, despite their loss, showed flashes of brilliance. Their preparation, including a 17-day camp in Karachi, highlighted their intent, but inconsistent batting partnerships and fielding lapses cost them dearly. Captain Fatima Sana remains optimistic, noting on X (@TheRealPCB) that the team aims to “fight back” in the third T20I to avoid a whitewash.
Did Ireland’s Home Advantage Play a Role?
The Clontarf Cricket Club’s Castle Avenue pitch, known for its batting-friendly bounce, played to Ireland’s strengths. The average first-innings T20I score of 157 favored Ireland’s aggressive batters, though spinners like Sadia Iqbal found assistance in the middle overs. With partly cloudy skies and a 15% chance of rain, conditions remained ideal for a high-scoring thriller. Ireland’s familiarity with the venue, coupled with their sharp fielding, gave them an edge over Pakistan, who struggled to adapt to the slower middle overs.
What’s Next for the Series?
The third T20I, set for August 10 at Clontarf Cricket Club, offers Pakistan a chance to salvage pride. Ireland, buoyed by their series win, will aim for a clean sweep to cap a memorable home campaign. The match, starting at 4:00 PM local time (8:00 PM PST), will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website, with fantasy tips available on Cricket.com. Key players to watch include Ireland’s Prendergast and Hunter, and Pakistan’s Sana and Muneeba Ali, who could spark a comeback.
Why This Win Matters
Ireland’s triumph is more than a series victory; it’s a statement of intent. Beating a full-member nation like Pakistan, who lead the head-to-head 15-14, reinforces Ireland’s upward trajectory in women’s cricket. For Pakistan, the loss exposes areas for improvement, particularly in closing out tight chases. As both teams gear up for the 2026 T20 World Cup, this series offers valuable lessons in handling pressure and seizing key moments.
