At last, the rain stayed away and the West Indies triumphed against Ireland in the third and final T20I at Bready to clinch the series 1-0. The weather stayed clear and, much to the visitors' delight, their in-form batters went berserk, punishing the Irish bowlers mercilessly. In what turned out to be a high-voltage thriller, the West Indies, while batting first, mounted an astronomical score of 256 for the loss of five wickets, making it their second-highest T20I score. Evin Lewis (91 off 44) and Shai Hope (51 off 27) were the top performers with the bat for the Men in Maroon, while Akeal Hosein emerged as the pick of the bowlers, returning economical figures of 3-27. 

There was not much to cherish from the Irish point of view. Apart from Humphreys, who went at just 4 RPO while picking up two wickets, the rest of the Irish bowlers went for plenty, with every bowler going at more than  12 RPO. Ireland, in response, tried to stage a counter-attack in the second half, but the target proved way beyond their reach and they comfortably fell short by 62 runs. 

See also: West Indies vs Australia: Jamaica’s Sabina Park Eyes Pink-Ball Test

West Indies Innings

The West Indies started off their innings in a dominating fashion. The WI openers Lewis and Hope got the visitors off to a flyer, piling on 122 runs within the first 11 overs. The Irish bowlers, especially Liam McCarthy, were taken aback early doors by the incredible hitting and simply had no answers to the onslaught. Hope played a composed knock of 51, while Lewis was the aggressor, hammering 91 and narrowly missing out on a well-deserved century. The duo hit a combined 12 sixes and 11 fours which completly crippled the Irish bowling attack by the halfway stage. 

Ireland, on the other hand, didn’t have the ideal start, conceding a few loose deliveries that the Men in Maroon were quick to capitalize on. But during the middle overs, they did try to exert some control with the ball, chipping in with a few quick wickets. But that did not seem to have a great deal of impact on the WI innings as Keacy Carty had an impressive T20I debut, finishing unbeaten on 49 in just 22 balls. Romario Shepherd added the finishing touches with a flurry of boundaries, which helped the Windies surge past the 250-run mark in blazing style.

Ireland Innings

In pursuit of their humongous target of 257, Ireland suffered an early blow, losing their captain, Paul Stirling, in only the second over of the run chase. But following that dismissal, a steady 101-run partnership between Ross Adair (48) and Harry Tector (38) followed, which somewhat revived the faint hopes of a potential Irish win. But they were still way behind in the run chase, with the asking rate nearly touching 16 RPO at the halfway stage. After that brief fightback, both Ross and Tector were removed in quick succession in the space of just four balls.

Their quick departures meant a disastrous middle-order collapse, and Ireland never quite recovered. Despite some late resistance from George Dockrell (15 off 8), Mark Adair (31 off 14), and Liam McCarthy (16 off 15) in the lower order, the task proved too tall. The Windies bowlers were able to get themselves back into business after overcoming a resilient stand between Ross and Tector. Once that partnership was broken, the West Indies never offered any realistic opportunity for Ireland to make a comeback. Akeal Hosein led the bowling effort for the visitors and starred with an impressive three-wicket haul, while Jason Holder, Roston Chase, and Romario Shepherd chipped in with key breakthroughs at crucial moments.

Ireland vs West Indies: Match Scorecard

West Indies – 256/5 (20 Overs)

Ireland – 194/7 (20 Overs)

The third and final T20I match of the three-match series between Ireland and West Indies will commence on June 15 at the Bready Cricket Club in Magheramason. The series has been negatively impacted by the weather, with the first two games being washed out completely without a single ball being bowled. Although the forecast for the third T20I does not look bright either, both teams would be hoping to get some time out in the middle. There are high chances of the third game being abandoned as well, but we remain hopeful that this is not the case. Previously, the two sides met in the ODI series last month, which ended in a 1-1 stalemate. 

The home team boasts a commendable track record against the Windies in this format. Their historic victory over the West Indies in the 2022 T20 World Cup was clearly a win for the ages, as that win led to the humiliating exit of the 2016 champions. Although they hold an impressive 3-3 win record against a quality T20 side, Ireland has yet to secure a series win against the West Indies. On the other hand, the visiting team is currently experiencing a challenging tour. The Men in Maroon competed against Ireland in a three-match ODI series but struggled significantly, resulting in a 1-1 draw. Furthermore, the team suffered a severe setback in their England series previously, losing both the T20I and ODI series without registering a single win.

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Match Details

Weather Report

The weather will once again play its part in the third and final T20I fixture of the series. It has been raining nonstop in Bready for the past few days, and it is highly likely that the rain will persist on Sunday as well. Gloomy overhead conditions and moderate to low precipitation of 20% are predicted by Google Weather. However, the forecast can worsen as time rolls by. During the day, the temperature can reach a maximum of 16 °C and can go down to as low as 9 °C at dusk or beyond.  Humidity rate is on the higher side, around 81%, while wind speed is expected to clock speeds of 21 km/hr.

Pitch Report

The pitch at Bready Cricket Club provides equitable support to both bowlers and batsmen. The batters are able to take advantage of the consistent bounce, allowing them to execute their shots with confidence once they have acclimatized. Additionally, the presence of a rapid outfield enhances their opportunities. Fast bowlers gain from additional bounce and movement, particularly during the early overs. Similarly, spinners achieve success owing to the reliable bounce. We anticipate a high-scoring match when the two teams face off today, provided the weather gods show some mercy.

Head-to-Head record

Predicted Playing XIs

Ireland
Paul Stirling (c), Stephen Doheny, Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Liam McCarthy, Barry McCarthy, Ben White, Josh Little

West Indies
Johnson Charles, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope (c & wk), Keacy Carty, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph

Ireland and the West Indies are gearing up to face each other in the second T20I match of the three-match T20I series on June 14, 2924. The showdown will be staged at the Bready Cricket Club in Magheramason. Previously, at this venue, the weather played a massive spoilsport, forcing the abandonment of the first T20I without a ball being bowled. The weather forecast for the second game does not look very bright either, as there are chances of light to moderate rainfall on match day. Good Weather predicts a precipitation rate of 40% between 2 PM to 5 PM local time. At this stage, the series currently stands at 0-0, and both teams would be hoping to get some time in the middle. 

The home side has a very promising track record against the Windies. Their historic win against the West Indies in their last T20I game in the 2022 T20 World Cup is a feat, the young Irish team would be mighty proud of. Despite having an impressive 3-3 win record against a quality T20 side, Ireland are yet to register a series victory over the West Indies. Meanwhile, the tourists are in the midst of a very rough tour. The Men in Maroon faced Ireland in a three-match ODI series and did not have a lot of success, with the series ending in a 1-1 stalemate. Moving on, the team was brutally humiliated by the Harry Brook-led English side in the ODI and T20I series, ending that tour without achieving a single win.

See also: IRE vs WI Dream11 Prediction Today: Fantasy Cricket Tips Playing11 and Pitch Report 

Match Details

Pitch Report

The pitch at Bready Cricket Club provides equitable support to both bowlers and batsmen. The batters are able to take advantage of the consistent bounce, allowing them to execute their shots with confidence once they have acclimatized. Additionally, the presence of a rapid outfield enhances their opportunities. Fast bowlers gain from additional bounce and movement, particularly during the early overs. Similarly, spinners achieve success owing to the reliable bounce. We anticipate a high-scoring match when the two teams face off today, provided the weather gods show some mercy.

Head-to-Head record

Predicted Playing XIs

Ireland
Paul Stirling (c), Stephen Doheny, Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Liam McCarthy, Barry McCarthy, Ben White, Josh Little

West Indies
Johnson Charles, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope (c & wk), Keacy Carty, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph

Ireland take on Zimbabwe for the final ODI (One Day International) match in 2025 on Feb 18, 2025. The match will be held at the Harare Sports Club and will kick-off 1:00 PM IST (Indian Standard Time)

Details of the Match 

• Match: Ireland vs Zimbabwe, 3rd ODI

• Date: February 18, 2025

• Venue: Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe

• Time: 1:00 PM IST

Details about live streaming and TV
They will be able to watch the match live all around the globe from various platforms as per cricket fans worldwide. Access to various streaming and broadcasting details in general regions is as follows:

India
The Ireland vs Zimbabwe match will be telecast live on the FanCode app/ website for Indian cricket fans. FanCode is the host–streaming partner of this series in India.

Zimbabwe
The match will be watched live in Zimbabwe on ZTN Prime(Channel 294)  live; Furthermore live streaming will also be there on the ZTN Zimbabwe site.

ALSO READ: Another Injury Concern Circulating Around Team India

United Kingdom & Ireland
Alas, this match will not be shown on TV in the UK or Ireland with an official telecast Sadly fans may have to follow Cricket Ireland on their social media for live scores and updates.

Pakistan
The match will be live on Geo Super, PTV Sports, Tamasha, and Myco along with other platforms like Pakistan Cricket Authority.

Other Regions
Major sports websites such as ESPN, Cricbuzz and international cricket's ICC's have the live updates and scoreboards for cricket lovers keen on other parts of world.

How to Watch Online?
Online Option: For viewers Unable to View the match on TV, FanCode and ZTN Zimbabwe are the streaming services. You just have to check their website online or download their mobile application for live match streaming.

ALSO READ: Ranji Trophy 2024-25, Group Stage Last Round: Availability status reveals of Kohli, Rohit, Gill, Jaiswal

Key Players to Watch
Strong opponents in this series from both teams. Keep a close eye on these players:
Ireland Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Mark Adair
Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Blessing Muzarabani

Final Thoughts
The final ODI between Ireland and Zimbabwe will certainly be an exciting match to watch as both teams want the win. For fans from any like plugging in their preferred platforms, the game will be live.

The 2024 ICC T20 World Cup will be a watershed moment in the cricketing community. This will be the first time the competition has 20 teams competing. Ireland, which has been on the cricketing circuit for a long time but is still working to establish itself as one of the stronger cricket-playing teams, will be present at this assembly.

Ireland has improved much as a team over the years in the shortest game format, so, unsurprisingly, they will compete fiercely with their opponents. So, here are three Irish players to look out for in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.

1. Mark Adair

Mark Adair, the Irish fast-bowling all-rounder, has significantly contributed to the squad with both bat and ball. Mark Adair might be an excellent pick, especially in matches against India and Pakistan when he could make a significant impact with both of his trades.

While his ability to take critical wickets is well established, Adair’s ability to score runs in the lower order makes him an even more valuable option. Adair had an impressive cameo appearance in one of the previous matches, demonstrating his hitting abilities. In 83 T20I matches, he scored 2301 runs and took 119 wickets.  

2. Paul Stirling

Paul Stirling will lead the Irish side for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The veteran Irish hitter will be one of the leading players to watch in Ireland’s matchup. The opening stalwart is now Ireland’s top run scorer in T20 World Cup history.

He has a tendency for delivering a game-changing knock in Ireland’s advantage against their group stage opponents. In 142 T20I appearances, he has scored 3589 runs with a strike rate of 135.43 and an average of 27.60. As the stats show, the Ireland cricket squad will highly seek the experience factor.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024: 3 key players to watch out for from India

3. Josh Little

Regarding Ireland’s pivotal pillars for the 2024 T20 World Cup, young pacer Josh Little leads the way, having taken the most wickets for his team in the tournament’s history. Little has been Ireland’s most consistent ball-player.

A young and growing player took use of the IPL’s enormous platform, demonstrating his speed for the Gujarat Titans. He has the ability to make a significant contribution during his powerplay stay. In 124 T20I appearances, he has taken 149 wickets at a respectable economy rate of 7.65, which makes it no surprise for him to be one of the players to check out from the Irish side. 

Ireland’s cricket sensation, Paul Stirling, etched his name in the annals of cricket history with a remarkable achievement in the T20 International arena. On a breezy day at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Stirling became the first-ever batter to notch up 400 fours in the shortest format of the game, an accolade that eluded stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Babar Azam.

Stirling’s feat unfolded during the first T20I of the series against Afghanistan. Despite a modest innings of 25 runs off 27 balls, Stirling’s legacy was embellished with two boundaries, catapulting his tally to an unprecedented 400 fours in T20Is.

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The Match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium

The battleground for this historic feat was none other than the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Set against the backdrop of towering floodlights and enthusiastic spectators, the stage was set for Stirling to etch his name in the record books.

Stirling’s Performance

While Stirling’s innings might not have been a fireworks display, his composure and precision were evident. Batting with a strike rate of around 100, his innings featured two fours and a well-timed six, culminating in the milestone of 400 fours in T20Is.

Following Stirling’s departure, the responsibility of steering Ireland towards a competitive total fell upon the shoulders of Harry Tector. The dynamic batter showcased his mettle with a scintillating half-century, amassing 56 runs off just 34 balls. Ireland concluded their innings with a respectable total of 149 runs.

Afghanistan’s Bowling Performance

Afghanistan’s bowling unit, spearheaded by skipper Rashid Khan, posed a formidable challenge for the Irish batters. Khan’s figures of 4/19 showcased his prowess, supported ably by Nangeyalia Kharote and Azmatullah Omarzai, who chipped in with crucial breakthroughs.

Stirling’s Standing in T20 Internationals

Stirling’s monumental achievement not only solidifies his stature as a batting maestro but also underscores his dominance in T20 Internationals. With 401 boundaries to his name, he surpasses illustrious names like Babar Azam, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma in the record books.

Here’s the the full list: