Italy delivered a cricketing jolt in Dubai when they toppled Ireland by four wickets in the third T20I on Monday, chasing 155 with three balls to spare at The Sevens Stadium. Italy’s Grant Stewart took centre stage, smashing three successive sixes off Ireland’s Barry McCarthy to take his side home, a landmark moment for a team ranked outside the traditional powerhouses. This result came as part of the sides’ build-up to the T20 World Cup next month in India and Sri Lanka.
Ireland set a competitive 154 total with Paul Stirling scoring 45 and the bowlers pegging back Italy at intervals. Crishan Kalugamage struck three key wickets to keep Ireland in the hunt early on, but Italy’s lower order stood up when it mattered. The chase rarely felt straightforward until Stewart grabbed the momentum with brutal efficiency.
Italy found themselves needing 16 runs in the final over, a poor equation on paper. They rewrote it in practice. Stewart already in good touch greeted McCarthy with three big hits, flipping the narrative and silencing the Dublin-born Irish crowd.
Wayne Madsen and Gian-Piero Meade laid a platform with useful knocks during the middle overs, keeping Italy in the hunt after early setbacks. They anchored partnerships that kept the scoreboard ticking and brought the target within reach.
Ireland’s bowling unit had moments of control, but couldn’t constrict Italy when it counted. Mark Adair and Matthew Humphreys chipped in with two wickets apiece, yet the pressure evaporated at the death.
This win carries historic weight. Italy have never beaten a full ICC member in men’s T20I competition before, and captain Wayne Madsen and his squad will reflect on a day when belief became results.
Ireland had already clinched the series by winning the first two games, but the final match loss signals that their preparation isn’t without loose ends. They still head into February’s World Cup as one of the more experienced squads, facing Australia, Sri Lanka, Oman and Zimbabwe in Group B.
For Italy, this victory is a roaring statement of intent. They now gear up for their own World Cup opener against Scotland on 9 February in a group that also includes England, West Indies and Nepal.
