England wrapped up a dominant 3-0 series victory over Ireland with a commanding 6-wicket win in the 3rd T20I at Malahide Cricket Club in Dublin. The visitors chased down Ireland’s total of 154/8 with 17 balls to spare, finishing on 155/4 in 17.1 overs on Saturday, September 21, 2025.
Captain Jos Buttler led from the front with an unbeaten 67 off 42 balls, guiding England home in what turned out to be a comfortable chase despite some early jitters.
Match Details
The final match of England’s tour of Ireland took place at the picturesque Malahide venue in Dublin. With the series already sealed, both teams looked to end on a high note, but it was England who maintained their superiority throughout the contest.
Ireland won the toss and elected to bat first on a surface that looked good for batting in the afternoon sunshine.
Key Moments That Decided the Match
Ireland’s Steady Start Falls Short
Ireland got off to a decent start in the powerplay, reaching 43/1 after six overs. Paul Stirling looked in good touch early on, striking three boundaries before falling to Jofra Archer for 28.
The home side struggled to accelerate in the middle overs as England’s spinners tightened the screws. Adil Rashid was particularly effective, claiming 2/26 from his four overs and never allowing the Irish batters to settle.
Middle Order Collapse Hurts Ireland
From a promising position at 89/2 after 12 overs, Ireland lost wickets in clusters. Harry Tector and Curtis Campher both fell in quick succession, leaving the hosts at 118/6 with just four overs remaining.
A late cameo from Mark Adair (23* off 14 balls) helped Ireland post a competitive total, but 154 always looked below par on this ground.
England’s Clinical Chase
England’s reply got off to a shaky start when Jason Roy fell for just 8 in the third over. However, Buttler and Dawid Malan quickly steadied the ship with a crucial 68-run partnership.
Even when Malan departed for 34, Buttler found another willing partner in Liam Livingstone. The pair added 45 runs in just 4.2 overs to effectively end the contest as a spectacle.
Scoreboard Summary
| Team | Innings | Runs/Wickets | Overs | Run Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 1st | 154/8 | 20.0 | 7.70 |
| England | 1st | 155/4 | 17.1 | 9.03 |
Last 10 Overs Runboard
Ireland’s Last 10 Overs (11-20):
- Overs 11-15: 32 runs, 3 wickets
- Overs 16-20: 33 runs, 1 wicket
- Key moment: Adair’s late hitting added crucial runs
England’s Chase (Overs 8-17.1):
- Overs 8-12: 38 runs, 1 wicket
- Overs 13-17.1: 49 runs, 0 wickets
- Key moment: Buttler-Livingstone partnership sealed victory
Top Performers of the Match
Ireland:
- Mark Adair — 23* (14), 2×4, 1×6
- Paul Stirling — 28 (24), 3×4
- Curtis Campher — 22 (18), 2×4
England:
- Jos Buttler — 67* (42), 6×4, 2×6
- Dawid Malan — 34 (28), 4×4
- Liam Livingstone — 28* (18), 2×4, 1×6
- Adil Rashid — 2/26 (4 overs)
Post-Match Reactions
England captain Jos Buttler was pleased with his team’s performance across the series. “It’s been a really good tour for us. The way we’ve adapted to different conditions and maintained our intensity throughout shows the depth we have in this squad,” Buttler said after the match.
Irish skipper Paul Stirling remained positive despite the series defeat. “We’ve shown glimpses of what we’re capable of, but we need to be more consistent for longer periods. Credit to England – they’ve been the better team.”
Match Summary
| Team | Runs | Wickets | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 154 | 8 | 20.0 | Lost by 6 wickets |
| England | 155 | 4 | 17.1 | Won by 6 wickets |
Player of the Match: Jos Buttler (England)
Player of the Series: Jos Buttler (England)
What’s Next
England will now return home ahead of their upcoming ODI series against Australia starting next month. The comprehensive series win will give them confidence as they continue building toward next year’s T20 World Cup.
For Ireland, attention turns to their home ODI series against Scotland in early October. The hosts will look to bounce back and continue their development in the longer format.
Final Thoughts
The Ireland vs England 3rd T20I result may have been one-sided, but it capped off an entertaining series that showcased both teams’ strengths. While England’s quality ultimately told, Ireland showed enough promise to suggest brighter days lie ahead.
This clean sweep will serve as a confidence booster for England as they continue their preparation for major tournaments, while Ireland can take heart from competitive moments throughout the series.