Cricket fans in Dublin were treated to a real spectacle as England defeated Ireland by 4 wickets in the opening T20I of the series on September 17, 2025. The match, played at Malahide Cricket Club Ground, had everything—big sixes, clever bowling, and plenty of drama.
Ireland’s Innings – Setting the Stage
Ireland batted first and gave their home crowd plenty to cheer about. Paul Stirling started the innings with his usual attacking shots, while Harry Tector took charge in the middle overs. Their partnership kept England’s bowlers on their toes.
Curtis Campher joined the party later and added quick runs, helping Ireland post a strong total. By the end of 20 overs, Ireland had 196/3, a score that looked competitive against a powerful English lineup.
England’s Chase – A Rollercoaster Ride
Chasing 197 was never going to be easy, and Ireland’s bowlers made sure of that. England lost early wickets, creating pressure in the dressing room. But the visitors fought back strongly.
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Phil Salt gave the chase a flying start with his aggressive stroke play.
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Liam Livingstone played the match-winning knock, smashing sixes and boundaries with confidence.
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Even though Ireland kept picking wickets at intervals, England’s depth in batting allowed them to stay in control.
Finally, in the 18th over, England reached 197/6, sealing victory with 4 wickets in hand.
Ireland vs England 1st T20I 2025 – Full Scorecard
Ireland Batting
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Stirling | 42 | 26 | 6 | 2 | 161.53 |
| Andy Balbirnie | 34 | 24 | 4 | 1 | 141.66 |
| Harry Tector* | 71 | 45 | 7 | 3 | 157.77 |
| Curtis Campher | 32 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 177.77 |
| Extras | 17 | ||||
| Total | 196/3 (20 overs) |
England Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reece Topley | 4 | 39 | 1 | 9.75 |
| Chris Jordan | 4 | 42 | 1 | 10.50 |
| Adil Rashid | 4 | 30 | 1 | 7.50 |
| Jofra Archer | 4 | 38 | 0 | 9.50 |
| Moeen Ali | 4 | 47 | 0 | 11.75 |
England Batting
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jos Buttler (c) | 28 | 17 | 4 | 1 | 164.70 |
| Phil Salt | 46 | 25 | 7 | 2 | 184.00 |
| Will Jacks | 22 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 146.66 |
| Liam Livingstone | 68 | 35 | 6 | 4 | 194.28 |
| Moeen Ali | 12 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 120.00 |
| Sam Curran | 8 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 160.00 |
| Chris Jordan* | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 125.00 |
| Extras | 8 | ||||
| Total | 197/6 (17.4 overs) |
Ireland Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Little | 4 | 32 | 2 | 8.00 |
| Mark Adair | 3.4 | 45 | 1 | 12.27 |
| Barry McCarthy | 4 | 47 | 2 | 11.75 |
| George Dockrell | 4 | 42 | 1 | 10.50 |
| Curtis Campher | 2 | 31 | 0 | 15.50 |
Result: England won by 4 wickets (with 14 balls remaining).
Key Takeaways
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Harry Tector’s 71 was the backbone* of Ireland’s innings.
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Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone turned the chase England’s way.
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Ireland bowled with heart but leaked runs at crucial moments.
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England’s ability to chase under pressure once again showed their T20 strength.
Conclusion
The first T20I between England and Ireland in Dublin was a match to remember. Ireland put up a big total, but England’s fearless batting, led by Livingstone, sealed the game. The series has just begun, and with both teams showing promise, fans can expect more exciting cricket in the upcoming games.