Ireland vs South Africa Match Preview, 1st T20I

The first T20I in the two-match series between Ireland and South Africa takes place at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday, September 27.

The Proteas will look to regroup after suffering an embarrassing ODI series defeat by a 1-2 margin to an ever-improving Afghanistan side last week. However, the only thing that could come in South Africa's defence was the absence of most of their senior statesmen. The trend will continue in the Ireland series as a new-look South African side looks to write their redemption story.

South Africa had a terrific run in the T20 World Cup 2024 final as they progressed to the finals before being beaten by India by seven runs in Barbados. However, only six players from the 15-member World Cup squad - Aiden Markram, Reeza Hendricks, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Ottniel Baartman, and Bjorn Fortuin - are set to feature against the Irish side.

Meanwhile, Paul Stirling-led Ireland will search for consistency in the shortest format of the game after blowing hot and cold for most parts of 2024. They squandered a 1-0 lead in a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in March, eventually going down by a 1-2 margin. Ireland also beat Pakistan in the first T20I of a three-match series in May but lost the next two games.

After winning a T20I tri-series involving Scotland and Netherlands, Ireland entered the T20 World Cup 2024 hoping to reach beyond the first round. However, they suffered defeats to India and Pakistan but their biggest setback was a defeat to Canada by 12 runs. This was Canada's first win in T20 World Cup history. Ireland have only played a one-off Test against Zimbabwe after their first-round exit in the World Cup. They won the clash in Belfast by four wickets. The European side will look to give the rattled South African team a good run for their money.

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