Italy stun Ireland, claim historic win ahead of T20 World Cup

Italy defeated Ireland by four wickets in the third T20I match here at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai on Monday to register their first-ever victory over a Test-playing nation.

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Despite this historical win, they finished the three-match T201 series with 1-2 defeat. Italy is ranked 28th in the T201 team rankings and Ireland stand at the 11th place.In their first-ever win against a full-member nation, Grant Stewart's hat-trick of sixes in the last over helped the Italian side seal the game with three balls to spare. He made 19-ball 33 not out including five boundaries.

While chasing a modest target of 155 runs, Italy lost their first wicket in the opening over. Italian skipper Wayne Madsen was the top-scorer for his side with a fighting 30-ball-39.

Italy needed 44 runs in the last four overs when the set batter Gian-Piero Meade (22 off 19 balls) lost his wicket. Marcus Campipiano joined Stewart at the crease who was struggling to connect from the other end.