Phil Salt’s explosive 89 off 46 balls was the standout performance as the visitors chased down Ireland’s 196/3 with 14 balls to spare.
Put in to bat, Ireland posted a challenging 196/3 from their 20 overs. Captain Paul Stirling provided the early impetus with 34 off 22 deliveries, supported by Ross Adair’s 26.
The real fireworks came from the middle order, Harry Tector’s unbeaten 61 off 36 balls (6 fours, 2 sixes) and Lorcan Tucker’s 55 off 36 (3 fours, 4 sixes) powered the hosts to a healthy total. England’s bowlers struggled to contain the flow of runs, with only Adil Rashid (1/36) and Liam Dawson (1/39) striking in the middle overs.
In reply, England’s openers came out firing. Jos Buttler smashed 28 off just 10 balls, including five boundaries and a six, to give his side a flying start.
But it was Salt who stole the show, hammering 10 fours and four sixes in his 46-ball stay, maintaining a strike rate close to 200. Skipper Jacob Bethell chipped in with 24, while Sam Curran added a brisk 27 off 15.
Despite losing a cluster of wickets late including Salt just 11 runs short of a century, England had already done the hard work. They reached the target in 17.4 overs, finishing at 197/6.
England secured their first T20 win over Ireland, going 1-0 up in the three-match series. Phil Salt was named Player of the Match for his match-winning 89.
The two teams meet again at Malahide on Friday before the series concludes on Sunday.
