England sealed their first T20I win over Ireland, as Phil Salt inspired the Three Lions to a four-wicket win over their hosts in Dublin. 

Jacob Bethell led England, making history as their youngest ever captain, with his side drawing first blood in the first of a three-match T20I series, as Salt racked up 89 runs.

Ireland set the tourists a target of 197, having lost just three wickets en route, with fine displays coming from Harry Tector (61 not out) and Lorcan Tucker (55).

That partnership of 123 was the highest for a third-wicket pair in a T20I for Ireland, breaking the record previously set by Tector and Gareth Delany (82).

However, England began their chase in ferocious fashion, knocking Ireland for 84 in the powerplay, with Salt leading the charge as he reached a half-century off 20 balls.

While Jos Buttler and Bethell were bowled out for 28 and 24, respectively, Salt kept England ticking during the middle overs. 

Salt's stand finally came to an end when he failed to connect firmly with Graham Hume's delivery.

Hume (2-36) struck again to send Sam Curran (27) packing soon after, with the dismissal of Tom Banton (11) swiftly following, but the damage was done, with Will Jacks and Jamie Overton seeing England, who would seal a series win by triumphing in the second match on Friday, over the line.

A winning start!

Victory by four wickets in our series opener!

Match Centre: https://t.co/HJvt1MkksO pic.twitter.com/HnSl9vaPgq

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 17, 2025

Data Debrief: A record-breaking day for England

This was England's first T20I victory over Ireland, though they had faced them in the format only twice before. 

Their first clash, at the 2010 T20 World Cup, was abandoned due to rain, with Ireland 14-1 in pursuit of 120.

The weather also impacted a 2022 World Cup clash in Melbourne, which Ireland won by five runs via DLS. England, though, did go on to win both of those tournaments.

Ireland's total was a respectable one, albeit they would have been helped by a faster start. This encounter produced the highest match aggregate (393) in a T20I between these nations.

At just 21, meanwhile, skipper Bethell surpassed a record that had stood since 1889, when Monty Bowden led England in a Test against South Africa at the age of 23.