Irish cricket witnessed a landmark chapter being written on the international stage as a familiar face once again led the team out under lights in Dubai. A long-serving stalwart of the side, Ireland’s captain Paul Stirling scripted a major record in the shortest format, underlining his longevity and importance to the national setup. The occasion not only carried personal significance but also set the tone for Ireland in a key away assignment.

Paul Stirling overtakes Rohit Sharma to script a record

Notably, in the recently-concluded first T20I between UAE and Ireland, Stirling officially became the most-capped player in men’s Twenty20 International history when he made his 160th appearance in the format. In doing so, the Irish opener went past former India captain Rohit Sharma, who previously held the record with 159 T20I matches.

Stirling’s journey to the top of this elite list reflects remarkable durability and consistency. Since making his T20I debut back in 2009, the hard-hitting opener has been a constant presence in Ireland’s white-ball plans for nearly two decades. Across World Cups, bilateral series, and qualification tournaments, Stirling has remained central to Ireland’s progress, evolving from an explosive young batter into a seasoned leader. His record is not just about numbers but about sustained commitment to Irish cricket through its transitional years on the global stage.

Ireland dominate UAE in series opener

Speaking about the game, after being asked to set the tone, Ireland posted a competitive total of 178 runs. While Stirling’s own contribution with the bat was brief — an entertaining 8 off just 3 deliveries — the batting unit collectively ensured the visitors had a strong platform to defend.

Ireland’s bowlers, particularly Gareth Delany and Matthew Humphreys then delivered a disciplined performance, keeping the UAE batters under consistent pressure. Regular wickets and tight spells meant the hosts were never truly in the chase. The UAE were eventually restricted well short of the target, allowing Ireland to seal a convincing 57-run victory. The result gave the Irish side a 1–0 lead in the series and added a team triumph to what was already a memorable day for their captain.

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Elite company in T20I history

With this appearance, Stirling now sits atop an illustrious list of T20I veterans, which includes names such as George Dockrell, Mohammad Nabi and Jos Buttler. His record serves as a reminder of Ireland’s growing footprint in international cricket and the players who have carried that journey forward with consistency and pride.

Most matches in Men’s T20I Internationals

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