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.

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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.

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