In a Group 1 encounter in the Super 12 stage on Wednesday at the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), a powerful Ireland pulled off a stunning five-wicket win over 2010 winners England by five runs via DLS technique.
Ireland's victory over England on Wednesday was both their first T20I triumph as well as their third victory over England in Men's International Cricket, following victories in ODIs in Southampton 2020 and Bengaluru 2011 (during the World Cup).
After exiting the T20 World Cup in the first round of last year's competition and then overcoming the West Indies in a pivotal first-round encounter in Hobart to advance to this year's Super 12 round, Ireland's remarkable ascent in T20Is is furthered by the five-run victory over England.
After Ireland's captain Andrew Balbirnie (62 off 47 balls) and captain Lorcan Tucker (34 off 27 balls) put together an 82-run partnership to help the team reach a respectable 157 all out in 19.2 overs, pacer Joshua Little removed England's Jos Buttler and Alex Hales to reduce England to 24/2 in four overs, laying the groundwork for a historic victory as England could manage 105/5 in 14.3 overs.
Rain then came, giving Ireland their first two Super 12 points, and it left Group 1 wide open. Additionally, it makes England's upcoming game against its bitter foe Australia a game that must be won if England is to have any chance of making it to the semifinals.
Little gave England a major blow in the opening over by having Buttler caught behind off a thin edge for a two-ball duck in defence of 158 on a difficult pitch in cloudy conditions. In Little's second over, Alex Hales was the next to go when short fine leg grabbed a wonderful catch of the top-edge that flew off the bat.
Ben Stokes was dismissed for just six runs by Fionn Hand, who entered the playing XI in place of off-spin all-rounder Simi Singh, as England ended the powerplay at 37/3. Harry Brook and Dawid Malan received lifelines after the power play, but they barely used them.
While Malan's struggle ended when extra bounce on his pull off Barry McCarthy was snatched by diving third man as England were in serious difficulty at 86/5 in 13.1 overs, Brook's struggle came to an end when he tried to pull off George Dockrell and was caught in the deep.
Moeen Ali hit two sixes and a four to give England a chance at an improbable victory. Rain interrupted England's plans just as they required 53 runs off 33 deliveries, leaving Ali stuck at 24 not out after 12 deliveries as they were discovered to be five runs shy of par using the DLS system, giving Ireland a victory they will never forget.
Rain delayed the start of the game earlier, but Ireland achieved 59/1 at the conclusion of the powerplay despite losing opener Paul Stirling when he slashed a 150 kph puck from Mark Wood to third man.
However, Balbirnie and Tucker played shrewdly against England's potent bowling lineup, effortlessly finding the boundaries and giving Ireland a chance to reach the 200-mark. A risky 82-run partnership for the second wicket off 57 balls was broken by Adil Rashid's run-out at the non-end striker's in the 12th over as England's bowlers rallied.
With four balls remaining in their innings, Ireland was 157 all out after losing their next nine wickets for just 34 runs. The best bowlers for England were Wood (3/34) and Liam Livingstone (3/17), while Sam Curran shone with 2/30.
But with Ireland being dominant with both bat and ball in the first half of their innings, England were consigned to their ninth T20I defeat in 12 matches this year and had to see their opponents celebrate a stunning victory with their family and friends in the stands of MCG.
Brief scores: Ireland 157 all out in 19.2 overs (Andrew Balbirnie 62, Lorcan Tucker 34; Liam Livingstone 3/17, Mark Wood 3/34) beat England 105/5 in 14.3 overs (Dawid Malan 35, Moeen Ali 24 not out; Joshua Little 2/16, George Dockrell 1/5) by five runs (via DLS method).