Ireland beat India for first time in international cricket

Abhishek Sharma's 19-ball fifty went in vain as world champions India were ​surprisingly beaten by Ireland for ‌the first time in international cricket after slumping to a 34-run defeat in the first ​T20 in Belfast on Friday.

Chasing ​183, Abhishek gave India a tremendous start, ⁠smashing seven fours and two sixes ​before being dismissed by Irish fast ​bowler Liam McCarthy for 50 in the eighth over.

The left-hander's dismissal led to a flurry of ​wickets as India's middle-order collapsed with ​Ireland paceman Matt Hollard picking up three wickets -- ‌Ishan ⁠Kishan, skipper Shreyas Iyer and all-rounder Washington Sundar -- in his four overs.

India were bundled out for 148 in 18.5 ​overs to ​suffer their ⁠first defeat in the format since lifting the World Cup ​trophy in March.

Earlier, Ireland captain ​Lorcan ⁠Tucker scored a fifty, while Gareth Delany contributed with a well-made 49 runs ⁠as ​they set up a ​steep total for India to chase.