Ireland plays New Zealand in the first T20 International on Monday, July 18 at the Stormont Cricket Ground in Belfastfrom 9:00 PM IST (Indian Standard Time).
Ireland lost its previous T20 series against India by a margin of 2-0. The hosts nearly pulled off a win in the second T20I against the Men in Blue but fell four runs short towards the end. Andy Balbirnie scored a 37-ball 60 with the bat while Mark Adair finished with figures of 3/42 with the ball.
New Zealand’s last T20 match was abandoned against the Netherlands. The Kiwis lost a T20 series to India 3-0 in November 2021. The visitors lost the third T20 against India by a margin of 73 runs. Martin Guptill scored 56 of 31 balls. Mitchell Santner picked three wickets with the ball for the Kiwis.
Ireland vs New Zealand T20I odds
Bet365 odds: Ireland: 3.50, New Zealand: 1.30
10CRIC odds:Ireland: 3.51, New Zealand: 1.31
Betway odds: Ireland: 3.25, New Zealand: 1.28
1xBet odds: Ireland:3.5, New Zealand: 1.305
Note: Odds are subject to change. Please visit betting sites to check and confirm the latest odds.
Ireland vs New Zealand head-to-head in T20Is
Ireland and New Zealand have faced each other once in T20 internationals where the visitors beat the host by 83 runs. New Zealand’s Aaron Redmond was the player of the match for his 30-ball 63 with the bat.
Ireland has won two out of their last five T20 matches. New Zealand has lost four of their last five T20s. New Zealand’s last T20 match against the Netherlands was abandoned.
Ireland vs New Zealand 1st T20I probable playing XI
Ireland: Paul Stirling, Andy Balbirnie (captain), Gareth Delany, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wicket-keeper), G.Dockrell, Conor Olphert, Andy McBrine, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Josh Little.
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Fin Allen ( wicket-keeper), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner (captain), Jimmy Neesham, Blair Tickner, Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson
Ireland vs New Zealand 1stT20I top picks
Ireland: Paul Stirling will be the top pick from the Irish side. The 31-year-old batter has scored 2820 runs in 104 T20 internationals at an average of 29.7. Stirling has also scored 20 half-centuries and one century in the shortest format. Paul Stirling scored 120 0f 103 balls in the third ODI against New Zealand.
New Zealand: Glenn Phillips will be the player to watch for from the visiting side. The wicket-keeper batter has scored 645 runs in 35 matches at an average of 25.8. The 25-year-old has scored two half-centuries and one century in T20 internationals.
Ireland vs New Zealand 1st T20I prediction
New Zealand is clear favourites to win the game against Ireland. The visitors are a much stronger team as compared to the visitors.
Ireland in the recent few matches has come close to upsetting their opposition. Ireland would look to carry their good form into the first T20 match against New Zealand.