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• Afridi lauds 'world class' Babar and Rizwan as Pakistan win Ireland series

  Shaheen Afridi lauded Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan as "world class" after the pair guided Pakistan to a T20I series victory over Ireland on Tuesday.

  Babar's side were defeated in the first meeting with Ireland last week but responded with two convincing chases to secure a 2-1 triumph.

  Ireland captain Lorcan Tucker's 73 helped his side to set a target of 179 in the winner-takes-all-decider, but Pakistan had little trouble in easing to a six-wicket victory with 18 balls to spare.

  Rizwan, who managed an unbeaten 75 in the second meeting, crafted a well-made 56, while Babar carried Pakistan to within touching distance after his 42-ball 75.

  Big-hitter Azam Khan blasted 18 off just six deliveries to see the visitors over the line, though Afridi was quick to credit the work of the two experienced Pakistan campaigners.

  "For us, before the World Cup, it's important to have these games to ready ourselves and there are a few areas to improve," said Afridi, who impressed with 3-14 in the first innings. 

  "They're both world-class players [Babar and Rizwan]; they know how to play their role and they have done really well on this pitch."

  Babar bludgeoned four of his five sixes off Ben White's bowling in the 14th over, while sharing 139 runs with the in-form Rizwan for the second wicket.

  "We had good communication in the middle because we have played a lot of cricket together; we were trying to play on our strengths and the aim was to match with the run rate," Babar added.

  "Lots of positives for us to take and we were able to execute our plans.

  "We have a big tournament coming up and this is good practice; we are now looking forward to the England series."

  Mark Adair was the only Ireland bowler to impress with his economical 3-28, though Tucker was still satisfied with his side's efforts.

  "It was brilliant and a great privilege to captain," Tucker said at the post-match presentation. "It would have been nice to start with a win.

  "We set up a platform nicely but unfortunately, we couldn't finish well. We gave everyone a go with the ball. Credit to the lads, they bowled well in tough conditions.

  "Maybe it was a bit disappointing with the result but we had positives from the series."

• Southgate: Man United speculation 'a complete irrelevance'

  Gareth Southgate says speculation linking him with the Manchester United job is "a complete irrelevance" as his entire focus is on England's Euro 2024 campaign.

  The England manager has been tipped as a contender to succeed Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford should United part ways with the Dutchman at the end of the season.

  Southgate is due to be out of contract later this year, with suggestions that the upcoming European Championship finals will be his last tournament as Three Lions chief.

  However, amid the talk over where he could end up later this year, the 53-year-old is not looking beyond the Euros.

  "I've got one thing to focus on, and that's having as successful a tournament with England as possible," he told ITV News.

  "Everything else outside of that is a complete irrelevance to me."

  Asked specifically about the United links in a separate interview with BBC Sport, Southgate said: "There will always be speculation about managers.

  "If you lose a couple of games, you're in trouble - you win a couple of games and it is a different agenda.

  "But for me, [Euro 2024] is a brilliant opportunity. We're looking forward to the tournament. My focus is on how do we go a step further than we went in the last Euros."

  Southgate has been England boss since 2016 and previously hinted he contemplated stepping down after the World Cup quarter-final loss to France in December 2022.

  Despite the fact his deal expires in the next six months, Southgate insists that is not a concern ahead of the Euros in Germany.

  "It's not an issue and never has been," Southgate said. "I have to deliver a successful tournament for England and there's enough work involved in that.

  "I think everybody would expect that's where my focus should be."

• Babar relieved after Fakhar and Rizwan guide Pakistan past Ireland

  Babar Azam was left relieved after Pakistan made light work of chasing 194 to keep their T20I series with Ireland alive and take it to a winner-takes-all-decider.

  Andy Balbirnie's 77 helped Ireland to their first victory over Pakistan in this format on Friday, but Babar's side responded in style on Sunday with their own seven-wicket triumph.

  Lorcan Tucker's 51 powered Ireland to an impressive 193-7 in Dublin as Shaheen Shah Afridi registered figures of 3-49 and Abbas Afridi managed 2-33.

  Yet that total was far from imposing as Pakistan chased the target down with 19 balls to spare thanks to a remarkable partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman.

  The pair combined for a 140-run stand off only 78 balls for the third wicket as Fakhar smashed 78 from 40, while Rizwan was unbeaten on 75 after facing just 46.

  "I'm relieved, credit to all batters," Babar said after the win. "We lost a few wickets early on but we kept the momentum going.

  "Fakhar is very experienced and played according to situation which demanded positive intent. It's a good side, we got positives in this match and will look to give 100 per cent in the next match."

  Rizwan added: "They played really well against us. It was not an easy chase because the Ireland bowlers knew their conditions better.

  "They gave us a difficult time early on, but we decided that chasing 194, we have to attack. You're always under pressure when you lose especially with World Cup around the corner."

  The two sides will meet again in Dublin on Tuesday to settle the three-match T20I series.