COLOMBO, 11 February 2026 – Ireland captain Paul Stirling is currently leading his side in a high-stakes Group B encounter against Australia at the R. Premadasa Stadium. As the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup intensifies, Stirling remains the focal point of Ireland’s ambitions, balancing his role as the nation’s premier opening batsman with the tactical demands of international captaincy.
Latest Updates: T20 World Cup 2026
As of today, 11 February 2026, Stirling is in the thick of the action in Colombo. Following a 20-run defeat to co-hosts Sri Lanka in their opening match on 8 February, Ireland is under pressure to secure a result against an injury-hit Australian side.
- Fielding Excellence: In today’s match against Australia, Stirling has already made an impact in the field, pulling off a brilliant effort to dismiss Josh Inglis shortly after the powerplay.
- Recent Form: Stirling’s personal batting returns have been lean in the lead-up to this fixture. His last nine T20I innings include scores of 21, 29, 38, 0, 23, 45, 8, 14, and 6, with a strike rate of 125.17.
- Captaincy: Despite the opening loss to Sri Lanka, where Stirling was clean-bowled by Maheesh Theekshana, he earned praise for his sharp catching at cover to dismiss Pathum Nissanka.
Career Statistics and Profile
Paul Stirling is widely regarded as Ireland’s greatest-ever white-ball batter. With a career spanning nearly two decades, he is one of the few players globally to have surpassed 6,000 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and nearly 4,000 runs in T20 Internationals.
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | Highest Score | 100s / 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test Matches | 10 | 19 | 521 | 26.05 | 103 | 1 / 3 |
| ODI | 170 | 162 | 6,005 | 37.76 | 177 | 14 / 32 |
| T20I | 162 | 159 | 3,894 | 26.31 | 115* | 1 / 24 |
| First-Class | 80 | 134 | 3,578 | 28.17 | 111 | 3 / 22 |
The Road Ahead
Ireland’s campaign in Group B remains precarious. After today’s clash with Australia, Stirling’s men will need to find consistency to navigate a group that includes Oman and Zimbabwe. The veteran opener’s ability to “set the tone” at the top of the order is cited by analysts as the deciding factor for Ireland’s progression into the later stages of the tournament.
While his recent scoring rate has dipped slightly below his career average, Stirling’s experience in global franchise leagues and his leadership in the dressing room remain indispensable for the Irish squad as they hunt for an upset against the higher-ranked nations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many centuries has Paul Stirling scored in international cricket?
Paul Stirling has scored a total of 16 international centuries: 14 in ODIs, 1 in T20Is, and 1 in Test matches.
Is Paul Stirling still the captain of Ireland?
Yes, as of February 2026, Paul Stirling is the captain of the Ireland national team across all formats, currently leading them in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
What is Paul Stirling’s highest score in ODIs?
His highest ODI score is 177, which remains one of the highest individual scores by an Irish batsman in the format.
Which team is Ireland playing today?
Ireland is playing against Australia today, 11 February 2026, at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka.