Paul Stirling steps down as Ireland T20I captain

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New Delhi: Veteran Ireland batter Paul Stirling has stepped down from the role of national team’s skipper, it was confirmed on Thursday. The 35-year-old player was appointed the white-ball skipper back in 2023 and also led Ireland in the recently-concluded 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

Stirling, however, could not continue his journey in the T20 spectacle after it was cut short die to an injury. On March 19, he said that he took the decision after a careful thought and reflection, saying it felt like the right time to add a new chapter in the life. He further said that he was incredibly proud to have captained the Irish side in the format.

Stirling steps down as skipper

Stirling captained Ireland in 48 T20I matches, winning 20 out of them and losing 26 games. There are only two Irish captains, William Porterfield (56) and Andy Balbirnie (52) , who have led the side in more T20I games. Despite retiring as skipper from the format, Stirling said that he has assured a full commitment to the team.

He said he still had a ‘huge amount of ambition as a player’ and felt this decision would allow him to ‘fully focus on being the best version’ of himself. He will continue to lead Ireland in the ODI format with an initial goal to qualify for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

‘Captaining your country is a privilege that carries great responsibility,’ he said. He also thanked his teammates, coaching staff and Cricket Ireland for their support during his tenure as the skipper. Stirling also expressed gratitude toward fans for their unwavering support for the team wherever they play.

He recently became the first player from the country to score 3000-plus runs for Ireland in the shortest format after making his debut in 2009.