\n<\/p>\n
Matthew Humphreys took 4-16 as Ireland defeated Italy in the first of three T20 internationals between the sides.<\/b><\/p>\n
Chasing Italy’s 118, Ireland reached their target with three balls and three wickets remaining.<\/p>\n
This match in Dubai marked the first time Italy’s men have played against an ICC full member nation in a T20 series, and they were put in to bat after Ireland won the toss.<\/p>\n
Italy made an impressively strong start, reaching 55-1 in 5.3 overs before losing captain JJ Smuts, who was bowled by Barry McCarthy.<\/p>\n
Anthony Mosca was Italy’s top scorer, with his 22-ball knock of 35 ended by Humphreys in the seventh over.<\/p>\n
The left-arm spinner also dismissed Grant Stewart, Marcus Campopiano and Jaspreet Singh – the latter two from consecutive balls in the 15th over – while Mark Adair claimed the final wicket of Crishan Kalugamage as Italy were bowled out in 18.1 overs.<\/p>\n
Despite losing opener Paul Stirling to a second-ball duck and Ross Adair for 12, Harry Tector’s 41 and 34 from Lorcan Tucker put Ireland in a strong position in their reply.<\/p>\n
George Dockrell, Gareth Delany and Mark Adair fell cheaply late on, but Ben Calitz and McCarthy helped Ireland over the line.<\/p>\n
The three-match series in the United Arab Emirates, which forms part of both teams’ preparation for the T20 Cricket World Cup in February, continues on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Ireland will face co-hosts Sri Lanka in their World Cup opener on 8 February and will also face Australia, Oman and Zimbabwe in Group B.<\/p>\n
First-time qualifiers Italy have Group C matches against Bangladesh, Nepal, England and West Indies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n