Dublin: Paul Stirling has announced that he will step down as Ireland Men’s T20 International captain as the team embarks on a new planning cycle ahead of the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
However, he will be a key member of the T20I team and will continue to captain the One Day International team.
Stirling was named Ireland’s white-ball captain in 2023 and led the team to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Sri Lanka last month.
He captained Ireland in the shortest format from 2019 to 2026, overseeing 48 matches in which Ireland won 20 and lost 26, with two matches ending in a draw, giving him a win percentage of 41.66.
Reflecting on his future, Stirling has revealed that he has taken a personal decision to relinquish leadership responsibilities in T20 cricket.
He emphasized the pride and honor he felt as captain of his country and thanked him for the trust and support he received throughout his tenure.
“After careful thought and consideration, I have decided to step down as captain of Ireland’s T20 team,” Stirling said.
“It’s a huge honor to lead Ireland in this format and I’m incredibly proud. It’s a privilege to captain your country with a huge responsibility and I’m very grateful for the trust and support I’ve received during my time in the role,” he added.
The 35-year-old highlighted the vital role played by his teammates, coaching staff, support staff and fans.
“I would like to thank my teammates, coaches, wider support staff and everyone involved in Cricket Ireland for the support they have shown me. I also greatly appreciate the support of the fans who follow this team wherever we play and win,” he said.
Stirling also assured that his commitment to Irish cricket remains strong and insisted that he will continue as ODI captain and focus on his individual performance.
“While I will be stepping down as T20 captain, I will remain fully committed to the Ireland team and continue as ODI captain. I still have huge ambitions as a player and this decision will allow me to fully focus on being the best version of myself and making a strong contribution on the field,” he said.
During the transition, Stirling noted the importance of ensuring continuity for the team.
“It feels like the right time for the team to move into a new chapter and I wish every success to whoever takes over as T20 captain. They will have my full support and I look forward to working with them to continue to create success on the international stage,” he said.
He ended up reiterating his pride in representing Ireland.
“Representing Ireland has been the greatest privilege of my career and I am as motivated as ever to help the team continue to grow and achieve success in the coming years,” he concluded.
Cricket Ireland’s director of high performance Graeme West has reflected on Paul Stirling’s decision to step down as T20 captain, while highlighting his continued role in the ODI squad.
He praised Stirling’s leadership and experience, stressing the impact he had on the team both on and off the field.
“Paul has been a great leader who combines playing experience with great personality. He will continue to captain the ODI team, successfully lead the qualification and lead the team to the ICC Men’s World Cup next October-November,” West said.
“With qualification for the T20 World Cup in 2028, Paul’s decision to step down as T20 captain gives the new captain an opportunity to start implementing their style and methods for the India series starting in June,” he added.