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Italy secured their first win over a full ICC member as they inflicted a four-wicket defeat on Ireland in the third of the T20 World Cup warm-up matches between the sides in Dubai on Monday.<\/b><\/p>\n
Ireland had already tied up the three-match series 2-0 after winning the first two games the sides contested on Friday and Sunday.<\/p>\n
Opener Paul Stirling laid the foundations for Ireland’s total of 154 all out off 19.4 overs with a contribution of 45 which included three sixes and two fours. <\/p>\n
He was ably assisted by middle order contributions of 25 and 22 from Mark Adair and Ben Calitz respectively.<\/p>\n
Ireland’s final four wickets fell for just 16 runs in the space of two overs as their innings ended with two balls still to be bowled.<\/p>\n
Crishan Kalugamage was the pick of the Italy bowlers with 3-28, while Grant Stewart and JJ Smuts took two wickets apiece.<\/p>\n
Italy’s response was a stuttering one, Wayne Madsen contributing best of the top order batters with 39, before his dismissal left his side on 108-5. <\/p>\n
Gian-Piero Meade followed soon after with the score on 111, leaving his side requiring 44 from 23 balls to win.<\/p>\n
A seventh-wicket partnership of 46 between Stewart (33 off 19 balls) and Marcus Campopiano (8) however was enough to see the Italians over the line with three deliveries to spare.<\/p>\n
Matthew Humphreys and Mark Adair ended with identical bowling returns of 2-23 from four overs each.<\/p>\n
The series in the United Arab Emirates formed part of both teams’ preparations for the T20 World Cup in February.<\/p>\n
Ireland will face co-hosts Sri Lanka in their World Cup opener on 8 February and will also meet Australia, Oman and Zimbabwe in Group B.<\/p>\n
First-time qualifiers Italy will open their campaign against Scotland on 9 February, with England, West Indies and Nepal the other teams in Group C.<\/p>\n
Before the start of the tournament, Ireland remain in Dubai for a two-match series against the UAE, the first match taking place on Thursday and the second on Saturday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n