ISLAMABAD: More than 3,400 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims have arrived in Madinah via 15 flights during the first two days of the country’s pre-Hajj flight operation, Pakistani state media reported on Friday.

Out of these, seven flights were operated from Islamabad and Karachi under the Makkah Route project, an initiative of the Saudi government to streamline the immigration process for pilgrims.

Currently, only Islamabad and Karachi airports in Pakistan are functioning under the initiative to facilitate pilgrims during the Hajj days.

“Filled with excitement and devotion, the pilgrims, who have been preparing for this moment for years, stepped foot in the Prophet’s (SAW) city, marking the beginning of the Hajj season,” the state-run APP news agency reported.

“Approximately three million pilgrims from around the world, including 179,210 Pakistanis, will converge on the holy cities to perform the sacred Hajj.”

From the airport, the passengers were transported to residential buildings located in Markazia, some 20-minute away from the Prophet’s Mosque.

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and requires every adult Muslim to undertake the journey to the holy Islamic sites in Makkah at least once in their lifetime, if they are financially and physically able.

Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims this year, according to the Pakistani religious affairs ministry. Of them, 63,805 pilgrims will be performing the pilgrimage under the government scheme, while the rest would be accommodated by private tour operators.

Pakistan began its pre-Hajj flight operation on May 9, which will continue till June 9. This year’s pilgrimage is expected to run from June 14 till June 19.

DUBLIN: Andrew Balbirnie’s 77 helped guide Ireland to their first victory over Pakistan in 17 years as they won the opening Twenty20 international by five wickets in Dublin on Friday.

The opener’s innings was pivotal as Ireland reached a target of 183 with a ball to spare.

Victory gave Ireland a 1-0 lead in a three-match series against a Pakistan side they will also face in the group stage of next month’s T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies.

It was just Ireland’s second win against Pakistan following their shock triumph at the 2007 50-over World Cup.

Pakistan skipper and star batsman Babar Azam top-scored for the tourists on Friday with 57 in a total of 182-6 that also featured Saim Ayub’s 45.

“I didn’t watch the last over. (I) went to the tent and put a towel over my head,” said Balbirnie, who shared a third-wicket stand of 77 with Harry Tector, at the presentation ceremony.

“I felt it was my job to get the team over the line... Harry said if we could bat normally till the 13th over, we could get the runs. That was a partnership which set it up.”

Azam, meanwhile, absolved his bowlers of blame for the defeat.

“I think 190 would have been a par score,” he said.

“We lost in the fielding and batting. (I) don’t think we executed the plans. Few fielding lapses cost us.

“We attacked in the first six overs but didn’t finish well.”

Ireland needed 40 to win from the last four overs, with Abbas Afridi dismissing George Dockrell for 24.

Next over, with Ireland requiring another 28 from 17 balls, Shadab Khan gave Balbirnie a reprieve by failing to hold a tough chance.

Come the penultimate over, Ireland’s target was down to 19.

But Pakistan quick Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled Balbirnie with a low full toss to end the opener’s impressive 55-ball innings, which featured 10 fours and two sixes.

With Ireland needing 11 off the last over, Curtis Campher under-edged a boundary off Abbas and eventually sealed victory with a leg bye.

The teams meet again in Dublin on Sunday and Tuesday.