Ireland ed𒉰ged out world champions West Indies by four runs in a dramatic first T20I between the sides in Grenada.
The Irish posted 208𒀰-7 on the board after winning the toss and electing to bat, setting a T20I world record for the highest score in a powerplay with 93-0 in the first six overs.
Opener Paul Stirling smashed a 47-ball 95, including eight sixes, while Kevin O’Brien scored 48 off 32 before being bowled by Dwayne Bravo.
Kevin’s dismissal sparked a mini-collapse of four wickets for 10 runs, with the tourists recovering from 164-4 to post a competitive total.
The West Indies chase got off to a quick start with Evin Lewis helping the side to 93 when he was dismissed for 53 off 29 balls at the end of the ninth ov💞er but with three overs left, the home side still needed 43.
Well, a horror over from Bar🐠ryღ McCarthy that went for 27 made it 16 off 12.
While it was a nervous finish, ꦡIreland held on, taking three wickets and keeping the Windies to just 11 runs to claim the thrilling victory.
Th🍌e remaining two matches in the se𒅌ries will take place in St Kitts and Nevis on Saturday and Sunday.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
What a game !
— Azhar Mahmood (@AzharMahmood11)
What a win for the lads!! ☘️☘️☘️
— William Porterfield (@purdy34)
Safe to say that is a huge day out for and their players. Beating the world champs in their back yard. Special mention to Josh Little , Craig Young and George Dockrell (3catches an🌠d his last over swung it). Series up and running well done Captain
— Niall John O Brien (@niallnobiobrien)
Top win that for 🙌
— Ian Pont Official (@Ponty100mph)
Wel♏l done to on ♛defeating the West Indies, one of the traditional strongholds of the game.
— Daniel Mulhall (@DanMulhall)
Three months after losing to Canada (the world no 23), Ireland beat the world champions West Indies ꦚin a T20 away.
— Tim Wigmore (@timwig)
//twitter.com/cobby24/status/1217508320061403141
20-year-old Joshuꦑa Little defended 13 runs in the final over with Bravo and Rutherford in the middle:
W, 6,2,0,W, 0
During 19th over, Craig Y🤡oung just went for three singles aಌnd taking the wicket of Pooran.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
Congratulations 👏to Ireland Men’s cricket team on an outsta♑nding performance beating current T20 World Champions the ꦜWest Indies in a record-breaking💥 4-run win🏆🌴 v ☘️ ☘️🏏
— Cricket World (@Cricket_World)
Ireland's 2nd IT20 victory v West Indies in 5 matches since 30 April 2010 – previously a victory by 6 wickets (116-8 v 117-4) at Sabina Park on 19 February 2014 – Stirling, Wilson, O'Brien & Dockrell all survive in the Ireland side in the Grenada victory today,
— Arthur_S (@allanholloway)
IRELAND WIN BY 4️⃣ RUNS!
Josh Little holds his nerve in the final over despite a Dwayne Bravo six, taking two wickets and conceding e♏ight – what a win, what a game!
— Doordarshan Sports (@ddsportschannel)
Bravo couldn't pick the pace and got out when 5 off 2 deliveries. Usually he is the one who does the same with opposition. *cries*
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer)
