Veteran cricketer Paul Stirling has decided to step down as Ireland’s T20I captain in preparation for the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup in 2028. Despite this move, the 35-year-old will continue to lead the team in the ODIs. Stirling took on the roles of ODI and T20I captain back in October 2023 and recently led Ireland in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The recent T20 World Cup saw Ireland placed in Group B, where they finished fourth out of five teams with just three points. The team secured one victory, faced two defeats in the group stage, and had one match abandoned due to weather conditions. Following Stirling’s decision, Ireland Men’s team will now have separate captains for each of the three formats: Test, ODIs led by Stirling, and a new T20I captain to be named later.
In an official statement, Stirling expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead Ireland in T20 cricket, emphasizing the honor and responsibility that comes with captaining one’s country. He thanked his teammates, coaching staff, support personnel, and Cricket Ireland for their unwavering support. Stirling also acknowledged the fans for their continuous backing of the team in all matches.
Although relinquishing the T20 captaincy, Stirling affirmed his unwavering commitment to the Ireland team and his role as the ODI captain. During the T20 World Cup 2026, Stirling’s campaign was cut short after sustaining ligament damage in his knee during a match against Australia. Wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker took over the captaincy in Stirling’s absence for the remainder of the tournament.
