Ireland concluded their ODI series against South Africa on a high note, claiming a well-deserved 69-run victory in the third game in Abu Dhabi.

Despite losing the series, Ireland’s spirited performance secured a consolation win. The triumph was built on a commanding batting display led by Paul Stirling’s 88 and Harry Tector’s 60.

South Africa, in response, was bowled out for 215, with Jason Smith’s valiant 91 being the only significant resistance in their batting order.

Opting to bat first, Ireland’s start was cautious, as they managed just 37 runs during the first powerplay.

Stirling got off to a steady start, scoring 25 off his first 27 balls, while his opening partner, Andrew Balbirnie, was exceptionally watchful, scoring only 12 off 33 balls during the same period.

However, both batters began to shift gears as they settled in, with Balbirnie finding the boundary regularly and Stirling continuing to build momentum.

Their partnership flourished, reaching over 100 runs before Lizaad Williams managed to break through, dismissing Balbirnie for a solid 45.

Curtis Campher joined Stirling at the crease and showed aggressive intent, adding valuable quick runs during their half-century partnership.

Stirling, looking in fine form and inching towards a century, struck eight boundaries and three sixes but was ultimately bowled for 88 by Ottneil Baartman, falling just 12 runs short of his century.

Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector created a 54-run partnership, setting Ireland up for a competitive total.

Tucker fell to Andile Phehlukwayo, while George Dockrell was dismissed soon after, as South Africa tightened their grip during the death overs. 

Despite the late wickets, Tector continued to bat confidently, striking a six and a four in the 48th over to bring up his half-century off 42 balls.

However, Ireland’s hopes of reaching the 300-run mark were thwarted as Williams picked up three wickets in the 49th over, and Phehlukwayo bowled a tight final over to restrict Ireland to 284/9.

South Africa’s chase got off to a disastrous start, with their top-order crumbling early. Ireland’s bowlers, Mark Adair and Graham Hume, struck crucial blows, reducing South Africa to 10/3 within the first five overs.

Ryan Rickelton was the first to depart, caught at first slip off Adair’s bowling, followed by Reeza Hendricks, who edged one to second slip off Hume.

Stand-in skipper Rassie van der Dussen was trapped lbw by Adair, leaving South Africa in disarray.

Kyle Verreynne offered some resistance with a fluent 38, but he was trapped lbw by Craig Young in the 13th over.

As the in-form Tristan Stubbs struggled to accelerate, Young also claimed his wicket, reducing South Africa to 79/5 in 20 overs.

Jason Smith, however, put up a commendable fight, receiving support from Andile Phehlukwayo in a 47-run stand for the sixth wicket.

Phehlukwayo eventually fell to Fionn Hand, but Smith continued to battle, reaching a well-deserved half-century.

With 76 runs required off the last 36 balls, Smith tried to keep South Africa’s hopes alive.

He played a defiant knock, hitting nine boundaries and four sixes to keep his team in the game. 

However, Ireland kept chipping away at the wickets, and with the pressure mounting, Smith sliced a catch to deep backward point, falling for 91.

Hume then picked up Ngidi’s wicket to wrap up the innings, as South Africa were bowled out for 215 in the 47th over, giving Ireland a 69-run victory.

This win marked Ireland’s second-ever ODI victory over South Africa, a memorable moment for the Irish side as they ended the series on a high note.