Tag: Ireland

DUBLIN: The trophy for the T20I tri-series involving Pakistan, Ireland, and West Indies was unveiled on Thursday.

The series, part of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 build-up, is set to run from 28 May to 4 June, with all matches scheduled at Castle Avenue.

All three team captains — Hayley Matthews, Orla Prendergast, and Fatima Sana posed — with the silverware.

The pictures of the trophy unveiling were shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in a social media caption.

“Captains with the trophy. The Ireland T20I tri-series gets underway tomorrow, with Pakistan set to face West Indies in their opening fixture on 29 May,” read the caption.

 

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The opening match of the tri-series will be played between Ireland and West Indies today, while Pakistan will begin their campaign against the Caribbean side on Friday.

Squads

Pakistan: Fatima Sana (c), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Natalia Pervaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Tasmia Rubab and Tuba Hassan.

Ireland: Orla Prendergast (c), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul and Rebecca Stokell.

West Indies: Hayley Matthews (c), Aaliyah Alleyne, Eboni Brathwaite, Shermaine Campbelle, Jahzara Claxton, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Jannillea Glasgow, Shawnisha Hector, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Mandy Mangru, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack and Stafanie Taylor.

Tri-series schedule

28 May – Ireland v West Indies
29 May – Pakistan v West Indies
31 May – Ireland v Pakistan
1 June – Ireland v West Indies
3 June – Pakistan v West Indies
4 June – Ireland v Pakistan

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DUBLIN: Cricket Ireland have named the squad for the Test match against New Zealand, set to begin on 27 May. 

Andrew Balbirnie will captain the side that will be without several senior players — Paul Stirling, Barry McCarthy, and Josh Little —  as well as P Gavin Hoey and Jordan Neill due to injury.

The solitary Test match will mark Ireland’s 13th and will be played at Stormont, Belfast.

The squad also includes four members — Jake Egan, Tom Mayes,  Liam McCarthy and Reuben Wilson who could make their debut.

DUBLIN: Cricket Ireland have named the squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to begin on June 12 across England and Wales. 

Gaby Lewis will captain the side for the first time in the mega event, which also includes four players making their World Cup debut. Among those are  Ava Canning, Christina Colter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Aimee Maguire, and Lara McBride.

The batting order will be comprised of Leah Paul, Amy Hunter, and Orla Prendergast, alongside Rebecca Stokell.

The most senior member in the squad is former captain and all-rounder Laura Delany. The 33-year-old is set to become the first Ireland Women’s player to take 100 T20I wickets.

Ireland are added to Group 2 alongside hosts England, Sri Lanka, Scotland, West Indies and the defending champions New Zealand.

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They will play their opening game against Scotland on 13 June at Old Trafford before locking horns against England on 16 June.

For the unversed, the 10th edition of the tournament will feature 12 teams and 33 matches spread across seven venues, culminating in the final at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 5.

Hosts England will kick off proceedings against Sri Lanka on June 12 at Edgbaston, which will also stage the high-voltage India-Pakistan encounter two days later.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, scheduled for June 30 and July 2 at The Oval.

Ireland squad

Gaby Lewis (c), Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Ava Canning, Cara Murray, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Georgina Dempsey, Laura Delany, Leah Paul, Louise Little, Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride

Ireland’s Women’s T20 World Cup fixtures

v Scotland: June 13, Old Trafford, 10:30 AM
v England: June 16, Hampshire Bowl, 6:30 PM
v New Zealand: June 19, Hampshire Bowl, 6:30 PM
v Sri Lanka: June 23, Bristol County Ground, 2:30 PM
v West Indies: June 27, Bristol County Ground, 2:30 PM

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Kane Williamson will continue his pursuit of 10,000 Test runs after being named Thursday in New Zealand’s squad to play Ireland and England in May and June.

The squad features a shock omission from the England leg of the tour, Will Young left out in favour of Henry Nicholls.

The 19-man squad will play a one-off Test against Ireland starting May 27 in Belfast before a three-Test series against England starting June 4.

Williamson has 9,461 runs at an average of 54.7 in 108 Test matches, and said in December he was considering retirement.

“As you get to the latter stages (of your career) those thoughts certainly enter your mind,” said Williamson, who added his future commitment to the Black Caps would be “series by series”.

As it turns out the 35-year-old has committed to New Zealand’s next four Tests, while New Zealand will also play India at home and Australia away later in the year.

Young’s omission for the England Tests comes as a shock given he’d been the long-standing preferred back-up to New Zealand’s batting group.

With limited opportunities, Young had four 50-plus scores in his last nine Test innings, including 74 opening the batting against a fiery spell from fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani on a lively pitch against Zimbabwe.

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Nicholls, who had earned a recall after 18 months in the international wilderness, came in the next day on a then-placid pitch and scored 150 not out, but having barely faced Zimbabwe’s best bowler.

Young is part of the squad for the Ireland Test but will head home at its conclusion.

Black Caps coach Rob Walter named two potential debutants in seamer Kristian Clarke and spin-bowling all-rounder Dean Foxcroft.

“To be able to test ourselves against some of the very best Test teams in the world is an exciting challenge and with the added carrot of the fourth edition of the World Test Championship,” Walter said.

“I know it’s something the players and staff alike have been looking forward to for some time and we’re determined to meet the opportunity head on.”

New Zealand are bolstered by the return of Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke, while Jacob Duffy will sit out the tour as he awaits the birth of his child.

All-rounder Michael Bracewell said he will no longer play Test cricket, instead focusing on limited-overs formats.

New Zealand Squad

Tom Latham (capt), Tom Blundell, Kristian Clarke (IRE only), Devon Conway, Zak Foulkes, Dean Foxcroft, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae (IRE only), Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young (IRE only).

READ: PCB confirms schedule for Australia ODI tour of Pakistan

COLOMBO: Stand-in captain Lorcan Tucker scored a superb unbeaten 94 as Ireland hammered Oman by 96 runs to register their first win at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 on Saturday.

It propelled Ireland to the tournament’s highest score of 235-5, the second biggest total in the history of the men’s T20 World Cup.

Oman were never remotely in the chase at Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) and were bundled out for 139 in 18 overs.

“The pitch was good, and we tried to capitalise by rotating the strike and putting the bad balls away,” said Tucker, who took over after Paul Stirling was ruled out on Friday with knee ligament damage.

“My role in the batting unit has changed, and I am loving the challenge,” Tucker said after posting the highest individual innings of the tournament so far.

He rescued the Irish from a precarious 64-4 after 7.3 overs with a sensational 51-ball knock that included 10 fours and four sixes.

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“We had lost too many wickets, and we tried to keep the momentum,” he said.

He just missed out on a century when he lost the strike in the final over and was a spectator as George Dockrell hit the last three balls to the fence.

Tucker put on 101 runs for the fifth wicket with Gareth Delany, who made 56 off 30 balls.

The big-hitting Dockrell finished with 35 off just nine balls.

In reply, opener Aamir Kaleem scored exactly 50 and Hammad Mirza 46, but they were the only bright spots for Oman.

READ: Rain threat looms over Pakistan-India clash in Colombo

COLOMBO: Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa’s four-wicket hauls skittled Ireland for a mere score as Australia started their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a 67-run win over Ireland in the 14th match here at the RPS Stadium on Wednesday.

Opting to bat first, Australia racked up 182-6 in their 20 overs, despite the absence of their regular skipper, Mitchell Marsh, who was ruled out due to injury.

After losing Travis Head early in the piece, Cameron Green and Josh Inglis stabilized the innings with a brisk 49-run partnership off 23 balls.

The scorecard read 56 when Green was dismissed after managing 21 from 11 with the help of two sixes.

Ireland bowlers quickly maintained their composure to leave Australia in a mess with four down for 88 in 9.3 overs.

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George Dockrell and Harry Tector combined to dismiss Josh Inglis (37 from 17) and Glenn Maxwell (9).

After quick wickets, Matt Renshaw and Marcus Stoinis launched a recovery with a 61 run parntership.

The pair propelled the scorecard to 149 runs in 16.5 overs. The stand eventually culminated with Renshaw’s wicket, who made 37 from 33 balls.

Marcus Stoinis, meanwhile, with his blitz, ensured that Australia finished strong.

In reply, Ireland were bowled out for 115 in 16.5 overs.

Ireland suffered an early blow as their captain, Paul Stirling, went back to the pavilion after retiring hurt.

Australia pacer Nathan Ellis tore through the top and middle order, picking up four wickets for just 12 runs.

The early blows never allowed Ireland’s batters to settle as they were reduced to 43-5 in 6.5 overs.

George Dockrell and Lorcan Tucker tried to arrest the slide with a 46-run partnership. The pair brought the total to 89 in 13.4 overs.

The stand ended with Tucker’s wicket, who made 24 from 27 balls.

Following the wicket, Ireland’s innings quickly unraveled with Ellis taking the last wicket.

Besides Ellis, Zampa also shone with the ball, taking four wickets in his quota of four overs.

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COLOMBO: Kusal Mendis half-century backed by a clinical bowling effort helped Sri Lanka beat sloppy Ireland by 20 runs in the fifth fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Chasing 164, Ireland were bowled out for 143 in 19.5 overs.

Ireland openers added 24 in 3.2 overs as Sri Lanka struck to remove experienced Paul Stirling for six.

After the opening wicket, Harry Tector and Ross Adair put the chase back on track with a 32-run partnership.

The scorecard read 56 in eight overs when set batter Adair (34) departed as Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector combined to steady the innings with a 49-run partnership.

The pair did well to keep Sri Lanka’s bowlers at bay as the scorecard read 105 in 14.2 overs.

Just when Ireland were looking to turn things around, Sri Lanka made a strong comeback as the Irish batters holed out to the outfield at regular intervals.

Eventually, they were bowled out before completing their 20 overs.

Harry Tector remained the top-scorer with 40 from 34 balls, hitting only one boundary.

For Sri Lanka, Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga shared six wickets between them.

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Earlier, put into bat first, Sri Lanka managed to post 163-6 at the end of 20 overs.

Sri Lanka’s openers added 28 in 4 overs before Kamil Mishara (14) holed out to mid-off, resulting in a cheap dismissal.

Following the wicket, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis stitched a cautious 34-run stand to steady the innings.

Ireland’s bowlers kept it tight, not allowing the set batters to capitalize. The disciplined bowling reaped rewards as Sri Lanka lost two batters in quick succession.

Pathum Nissanka was the first to go after managing 24 from 23, whereas Pavan Rathnayake added only five before getting cleaned up.

As a result, Sri Lanka were reduced to 68-3 in 10.1 overs. The Irish bowlers continued to squeeze Sri Lanka despite a brief partnership of 18 between Dunith Wellalage and Kusal Mendis.

The scorecard read 86 in 13.5 overs when Wellalage, who made 10, was sent back to the pavilion.

Ireland managed well to control the first half of the innings, but a vital 67-run partnership between Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis and some dropped chances from them put the Islanders in a dominant position.

The pair took the total over 150 run mark with Kusal remaining unbeaten on 56 from 43 balls with the help of five fours. On the other hand, Kamindu played a brisk cameo, scoring 44 off just 19, striking two sixes and four boundaries.

For Ireland, George Dockrell and Barry McCarthy took two wickets each.

Playing XIs

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana.

Ireland: Paul Stirling (c), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker(w), Curtis Campher, Benjamin Calitz, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy and Matthew Humphreys.

READ: Paul Stirling joins Rohit Sharma in elite T20 World Cup list

COLOMBO: Pakistan’s solitary warm-up fixture against Ireland ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup was abandoned without a ball bowled here at the Sinhalese Sports Club on Wednesday.

The only warm-up match for Ireland and Pakistan before the T20 World Cup was called off due to persistent rain.

The T20 World Cup 2026 will begin on 7 February with the opening fixture scheduled between Pakistan and the Netherlands.

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Their opening fixture will be followed by a match against their 2024 World Cup nemesis USA at the same venue.

However, Pakistan’s World Cup campaign will remain overshadowed by the political situation surrounding the high-profile clash against India.

Pakistan were scheduled to play arch-rivals India on 15 February; however, they are set to forfeit the clash at the government of Pakistan’s instructions.

Pakistan squad

Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), and Usman Tariq.

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WINDHOEK: West Indies defeated South Africa by 55 runs while Ireland secured a four-run victory over Japan to book their place in the Super Stage of the ICC U19 World Cup 2026.

West Indies set South Africa 235 to chase in 50 overs, thanks to Zachary Carter sublime century.

After losing Tanez Francis in sixth over, Zachary Carter and Joshua Dorne added 82 runs for the second wicket partnership.

The pair brought the total to 115 in 22.3 overs before three quick wickets halted their progress.

Skipper Dorne scored 20 from 49 while Shamar Apple and Jewel Andrew  were sent back for ducks.

As a result, West Indies were reduced to 115-4 at the end of 23 overs.

Despite the wickets tumbling, Carter cruised along and went on to score 114 from 104 balls with the aid of eight sixes and same number of boundaries.

His wicket in the 36th over sparked another collapse as the whole team was bundled out for 234 in 47.5 overs.

For South Africa, JJ Basson starred with the ball as he picked up a five wicket haul.

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In reply, South Africa batting lineup faltered and the whole team was bowled for 179 in 37.4 overs.

Shaquan Belle started the proceeding as he tormented the Proteas top-order.

Adnaan Lagadien was the first one to go after scoring 10 followed by Muhammed Bulbulia’s and Jorich Van Schalkwyk wicket in the eight and ninth over respectively.

South Africa batting lineup could not got going with West Indies bowlers taking wickets at regular intervals.

Jason Rowles remained the top scorer with 46 from 40 balls, striking two sixes and four boundaries.

For West Indies, Shaquan Belle wreaked havoc with the ball, picking up six wickets in his quota of 10 overs while giving away 40.

In Group A fixture, Ireland defeated Japan by four wickets, advancing to the Super Six stage of the tournament.

Ireland chased down 248 run target in 48 overs, losing four wickets in the process.

Freddie Ogilby starred with the bat for Ireland, scoring 73 from 76 balls, hitting four boundaries and two sixes.

Sebastian Dijkstra was the other notable contributor, scoring an unbeaten 55 from 61 deliveries with the help of six and four boundaries to get his team over the line.

Earlier, after opting to bat first Japan put 247-9 in their 50 overs.

Charlie Hara-Hinze  top scored for them with, making 57 off 70 deliveries with the help of a six and four boundaries.

For Ireland, Adam Leckey and Oliver Riley shared six wickets between them.

READ: U19 World Cup: Here’s why Pakistan slowed their chase against Zimbabwe

DUBLIN: Ireland have named an experienced 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2026, set to be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India.

Paul Stirling will lead the side, with wicket-keeper Lorcan Tucker named as his deputy.

The squad’s 12 out of 15 members have featured in the 2024 edition, whereas Tim Tector, Ben Calitz, and Matthew Humphreys will play in the mega event for the first time.

Ireland’s highest run-getter, Stirling, will bolster the batting unit alongside the likes of George Dockrell, Curtis Campher, and Harry Tector.

The bowling attack will be spearheaded by Mark Adair and Josh Little.

The Irish side will be appearing in their ninth T20 World Cup, with their best coming in 2009 and 2022 when they advanced to the second round.

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Following the announcement, Ireland’s men’s selector, Andrew White, aims to deliver improved performances in a challenging event.

“To say we are very much looking forward to this T20 World Cup is an under-statement,” he said.

“After a memorable 2022 tournament, we probably weren’t at our best in 2024 – and have been waiting to rectify that ever since,” he added.

“There is no doubt we are in a highly competitive group, which includes playing the tournament hosts but we have played these sides recently enough in previous editions of this tournament, and will go into these matches with no fear,” White concluded.

Ireland is slotted against Sri Lanka, Australia, Oman, and Zimbabwe in Group B and will start their campaign against the hosts in Colombo on February 8.

Ireland Squad for T20 World Cup

⁠Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young

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