Ireland registered their first-ever victory over South Africa in a men’s T20I. This significant achievement took place in Abu Dhabi, where a spectacular century from Ross Adair paved the way for a 10-run victory, tying the two-match series 1-1.
Setting the stage for a memorable clash
South Africa, known for their formidable cricketing prowess, were expected to comfortably handle Ireland. However, the second T20I in Abu Dhabi had different plans. After a tight first match, both teams were eager to claim victory, but it was Ireland that made the headlines.
Ross Adair’s historic century
Ross Adair etched his name into the history books with his knock of 100 runs from 58 balls. His innings included five fours and nine towering sixes, which thrilled the crowd at Zayed Cricket Stadium. This was only the third T20I century ever scored by an Irish player, joining the likes of Kevin O’Brien and Paul Stirling.
Kevin O’Brien had previously set the benchmark for Ireland when he smashed 124 against Hong Kong in 2019. Paul Stirling added another milestone for Irish cricket with his unbeaten 115 against Zimbabwe in 2021. Adair’s contribution was vital in ensuring Ireland posted a formidable total.
Paul Stirling played a steady and important role both as a batsman and as captain. His half-century (52) came at a perfect time, offering Ross Adair the necessary support to build a strong foundation for Ireland’s innings.
Men’s T20I Centuries for Ireland
| PLAYER | SCORE | OPPOSITION |
|---|---|---|
| Kevin O’Brien | 124 (62) | Hong Kong (2019) |
| Paul Stirling | 115* (75) | Zimbabwe (2021) |
| Ross Adair | 100 (58) | South Africa (2024) |
South Africa’s response with bat
Despite facing a tough target, South Africa’s response was impressive, especially from Reeza Hendricks and Matthew Breetzke, who both scored 51 runs each. They gave the Proteas a fighting chance, but consistent wickets from Ireland’s bowlers kept the chase in check.
Ireland’s bowlers held their nerve in the critical moments of the match. Mark Adair’s 4/31 and Graham Hume’s 3/25 were instrumental in dismantling South Africa’s middle order. Their disciplined bowling prevented South Africa from building momentum during the chase, leading to Ireland’s narrow victory.
Though Ireland was cruising towards a huge total, South Africa’s bowlers managed to pull things back in the death overs. Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams, and Patrick Kruger delivered crucial spells that restricted Ireland to 195/6. However, the damage had been done early in the innings, leaving South Africa with an uphill battle.
The closing overs of the match were tense as Ireland defended their total. With South Africa needing just 11 runs per over, Ireland’s bowlers delivered under pressure, securing a historic win.
Ireland has had notable performances in T20 cricket, but this victory against South Africa stands out. Kevin O’Brien’s century against Hong Kong and Paul Stirling’s unbeaten 115 against Zimbabwe were special moments in Irish T20I history, but this win against a top-tier side like South Africa takes Ireland to new heights.
Post-Match reactions
After the match, Paul Stirling praised his team, particularly Ross Adair for his century, stating, “Ross was excellent, and we are absolutely delighted with the win.” Stirling acknowledged that they were slightly below par but credited the team’s resilience for holding off South Africa.
With the T20I series wrapped up, both teams now turn their focus to the upcoming three-match ODI series. Ireland will be brimming with confidence after their historic win, while South Africa will be eager to regroup and bounce back.