In what turned out to be the only completed match of the T20I series between West Indies and Ireland, the visitors produced a dominant all-round performance to seal a 1–0 series win. Batting fireworks, record-breaking totals, and a clinical bowling display saw the Windies overwhelm the hosts by 62 runs.
West Indies Batting: Carnage at the Top
After being put into bat, West Indies raced to 256/5 in 20 overs, their second-highest T20I total ever.
Key Batting Performances:
Romario Shepherd: 26* off just 9 balls
Ended the innings with a flurry, taking 20+ off the last over.
Evin Lewis: 91 (44 balls, 7 fours, 8 sixes, SR: 206.8)
Dominated the powerplay and dismantled both pace and spin.
Shai Hope (C): 51 (27 balls, 4 fours, 4 sixes)
Played the anchor-aggressor role to perfection, rotating strike and clearing the ropes at will.
Keacy Carty (debut): 49* (22 balls)
A sensational late cameo from the debutant pushed the total well past 250.
🔹 Standout Performances:
Evin Lewis (91 off 44) – Tore apart the bowling attack in the powerplay, smashing 7 fours and 8 sixes at a blistering strike rate of 206.8.
Shai Hope (51 off 27) – Balanced aggression with control, anchoring the innings while effortlessly hitting boundaries (4 fours, 4 sixes).
Keacy Carty (49* off 22) – Made a dream debut with a fiery late cameo, propelling the team past 250.
Romario Shepherd (26* off 9) – Finished in style, plundering 20+ runs in the final over to cap off a dominant innings.
Team Milestones:
- 50 in 4.1 overs
- 100 in 8.3 overs
- 150 in 12.0 overs
- 200 in 17.3 overs
- Final: 256/5 in 20 overs
Ireland’s Struggle: Chasing a Mountain
Ireland responded with 194/7 in 20 overs, which was competitive but far from enough.
🔹 Top Scorers:
- Ross Adair: 48 (36 balls)
Tried to provide some momentum but lacked partnerships. - Harry Tector: 38 (25 balls)
Looked good in patches but couldn’t accelerate under pressure. - Curtis Campher: 30 (18 balls)
Hit a few powerful shots in the middle overs.
🏏 Windies Bowling Highlights:
- Akeal Hosein: 4-0-27-3
Brilliant in the middle overs, taking key wickets including Tector and Delany. - Jason Holder: 4-0-49-2
Expensive but picked up important wickets. - Gudakesh Motie & Shepherd: Economical in patches, ensured Ireland never built a real threat.
Match Impact & Analysis
| Element | West Indies | Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| Batting | Ruthless hitting, 20 sixes total | Inconsistent, few power plays |
| Bowling | Controlled spin in middle overs | No real threat; 16 extras conceded |
| Fielding | Sharp and alert | Sloppy in parts, poor outfielding |
West Indies’ powerplay approach and depth down to No. 8 made the difference. Ireland’s 16 wides (plus additional byes) only made matters worse while defending such a mammoth total.
Series Wrap-up
- Series Result: West Indies won 1–0 (First 2 matches abandoned)
- Player of the Match: Evin Lewis (91 off 44)
- Player of the Series: Not officially announced, but Lewis was the standout
Post-Match Reactions
Shai Hope (WI Captain):
“Proud of the boys. We were clinical. Great to see Lewis and the debutant Carty deliver. We’re building strong depth.”
Paul Stirling (IRE Captain):
“Disappointing to end the series this way, but some positives like Adair’s knock and Humphreys’ spells. Need to clean up the extras.”
What’s Next?
- West Indies prepare for their Test and ODI tours in England and Australia.
- Ireland heads into preparations for ICC qualifiers and an ODI series against Zimbabwe.