Ireland vs Italy: Italy recorded a historic four-wicket win over Ireland

Italy registered its first win over a full ICC member as they inflicted a four-wicket defeat on Ireland in the third match of the T20 World Cup warm-up matches between the two sides in Dubai on Monday.

Ireland had already tied the three-match series 2-0 after winning the first two matches the two teams played on Friday and Sunday.

Opener Paul Sterling laid the foundations for Ireland’s total of 154 in 19.4 overs with a contribution of 45 which included three sixes and two fours.

He was ably assisted by middle-order contributions of 25 and 22 from Mark Adair and Ben Calitz respectively.

Ireland’s last four wickets fell for just 16 runs in the space of two overs as their innings ended with two balls still to be bowled.

Crishan Kalugamage was the pick of the Italian bowlers with 3-28, while Grant Stewart and JJ Smuts took two wickets each.

Italy’s response was stuttering, with top-order batsman Wayne Madsen contributing with 39, before his dismissal left his side on 108-5.

Gian Piero Mede followed soon after with a score of 111, leaving his side needing 44 off 23 balls to win.

A seventh-wicket partnership of 46 between Stewart (33 off 19 balls) and Marcos Campopiano (8) was enough to see the Italians over the line with three deliveries remaining.

Matthew Humphries and Mark Adair finished with identical bowling returns of 2-23 from four overs each.

The series in the UAE formed part of both teams’ preparations for the T20 World Cup in February.

Co-hosts Ireland will face Sri Lanka in their World Cup opener on February 8 and will also meet Australia, Oman and Zimbabwe in Group B.

Italy, who qualify for the first time, will open their campaign against Scotland on February 9, while England, West Indies and Nepal comprise the other teams in Group C.

Before the start of the tournament, Ireland remains in Dubai to play a two-match series against the UAE, with the first match taking place on Thursday and the second on Saturday.