Abu Dhabi: Ross Adair was the hero as Ireland created history on Sunday night by registering their first victory over South Africa in a men's T20I when they defeated the Proteas by 10 runs here.
Adair hit a brilliant century as Ireland posted a decent total of 195/6 at Zayed Cricket Stadium and that proved too much for South Africa as they failed to chase down the target as the two-match T20I series ended tied at 1-1.
Adair hit five fours and nine massive sixes during his 58-ball score of 100, combining with skipper Paul Stirling (52) to put on 137 for the opening wicket and becoming just the third Ireland player to reach triple figures in a men's T20I.
Former captain Kevin O'Brien achieved the feat when he scored 124 against Hong Kong in 2019, while Stirling was the second player from Ireland to hit a T20I century when he smashed an unbeaten 115 against Zimbabwe in 2021.
When Adair and Stirling were together at the crease against South Africa it looked like Ireland were going to score in excess of 200, but some tidy bowling in the backend from Lungi Ngidi (1/23), Lizaad Williams (1/35) and Patrick Kruger (1/31) halted their progress and left the Proteas in with a good chance of clinching a series sweep, an ICC report said.
But Mark Adair (4/31) and Graham Hume (3/25) overcame half-centuries from Reeza Hendricks and Matthew Breetzke (51 runs apiece) to ensure Ireland picked up their first-ever victory over South Africa in a men's T20I.
Stirling was thrilled with the performance of his side, with the experienced captain saving special praise for Adair following his performance with the bat.
“At half-way, we wanted an extra 15-20 runs," Stirling said.
“They squeezed us and we felt under-par but there was less dew out there tonight and we managed to get over the line. Ross was excellent and we are absolutely delighted with the win. It could have gone either way. We’re over the moon with that result and hopefully we carry our form into the ODI series,” he added.
The teams will now meet in a three-match ODI series, with the first contest in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.