Spoda Blogs

Tag: Josh Little

  • Inside Josh Little Career Stats: World Cup Records, IPL Feats & 2026 Form

    Josh Little career stats highlight the remarkable rise of Ireland’s premier left-arm fast bowler into a globally sought-after T20 specialist.

    From making his international debut at just 16 to taking a historic World Cup hat-trick and earning lucrative contracts in the IPL, Little has established himself as a match-winner across conditions. Whether swinging the new ball or executing pinpoint yorkers at the death, his impact on modern white-ball cricket is undeniable.

    Josh Little sent back Mohammad Nadeem, Ireland vs Oman, T20 World Cup, Colombo, February 14, 2026

    Who is Joshua Brian Little

    • Full Name: Joshua Brian Little
    • Born: 1 November 1999 (Dublin, Ireland)
    • Role: Left-arm Fast-Medium Bowler
    • Batting Style: Right-handed
    • Major Teams: Ireland, Leinster Lightning, Gujarat Titans (IPL), Manchester Originals (The Hundred), Pretoria Capitals (SA20), Welsh Fire, Middlesex

    Comprehensive Josh Little Career Stats

    Josh Little Bowling Stats

    FormatMatchesInningsWicketsBest Bowling (BBI)Bowling AvgEconomy RateStrike Rate
    T20Is7775854/2325.157.6519.7
    ODIs4240616/3634.345.8235.3
    First-Class6963/9553.334.1078.0

    Domestic & Global T20 Franchise Stats

    League / LevelMatchesWicketsBest BowlingEconomy RateAverage
    Overall T20s140+165+5/137.7223.80
    Indian Premier League (IPL)11112/258.8531.45
    The Hundred (Men’s)14185/137.4018.20
    List A (50-over)65856/365.5033.14

    Josh Little Career Stats: Key Records & Milestone Achievements

    • T20 World Cup Hat-Trick (2022): Became only the sixth bowler in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history to take a hat-trick, removing Kane Williamson, Jimmy Neesham, and Mitchell Santner against New Zealand.
    • Record Calendar Year (2022): Claimed 39 T20I wickets in a single calendar year—the highest ever by a bowler from a Full Member nation in T20I history.
    • IPL History for Ireland: Became the first active Irish cricketer to earn an IPL auction contract and play in the IPL (representing Gujarat Titans in 2023).
    • The Hundred Record Figures: Recorded tournament-best figures of 5/13 for Manchester Originals against Welsh Fire in 2022.
    • ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year: Selected in the official ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year (2022).

    Role & Importance in European T20 Premier League 2026

    The inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL 2026) marks a major step forward for European cricket, and Josh Little enters the tournament as a marquee local icon.

    • Lead Strike Bowler: Operating as the frontline pace spearhead, tasked with taking early powerplay wickets and locking down difficult death overs.
    • Marquee European Representation: Under ETPL squad composition rules requiring a strong domestic core from Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands, Little provides world-class franchise pedigree alongside global superstars.
    • Home Advantage: With key tournament legs and playoff fixtures staged at Malahide Cricket Club in Dublin, Little’s experience with local wind factors and pitch conditions provides his side an edge.

    Conclusion 

    Analyzing Josh Little career stats demonstrates how tactical discipline, high-pace swing, and death-bowling variety make him a top-tier asset in modern cricket. As franchise leagues expand across Europe and India, Little remains at the forefront of Ireland’s international bowling attack.

    Frequently Asked Questions 

    What are Josh Little’s career stats in T20 Internationals? 

    Josh Little has taken 85 wickets in 77 T20I matches for Ireland at an average of 25.15 and an economy rate of 7.65, with best figures of 4/23.

    Which team did Josh Little play for in the IPL? 

    Josh Little played for Gujarat Titans in the IPL, making history as the first Irish player to play and take a wicket in the tournament.

    What is Josh Little’s best bowling performance in T20 cricket? 

    His career-best T20 performance is 5/13, bowled for Manchester Originals in The Hundred in 2022. In international T20s, his best figures are 4/23.

  • UAE vs Ireland  – T20I 2026 Match Analysis | T20I Cricket Analysis & Prediction Jan 29 | Win Prediction | Score Prediction | Top Batter | Top Bowler | AI Cricket Prediction

    This preview blends probability modelling, form indicators, and situational analysis to deliver a clear T20I 2026 match prediction.

    • Match: UAE vs Ireland 
    • Tournament: T20I 2026
    • Format: Men’s T20I

    Win Probability – Scenario-Based Outlook

    Scenario UAE Ireland 
    UAE bat first64%36%
    Ireland bat first63%37%

    In both the scenarios, the United Arab Emirates are favourites to win.

    Expected First Innings Score

    Metric Projection 
    Par score range 155-162 runs 

    The pitch looks good for batting, especially under lights. Teams batting first should aim for at least 160+ to feel safe. Anything below that could be risky.

    Expected First Innings Wickets

    MetricPrediction 
    Likely wicket 5-6 wicket 

    The expected range of first innings wickets in the match is approximately 5 to 6 wickets. 

    Top Batters to Watch (30+ Runs Probability)

    Player Team Chance
    Waseem MuhammadUAE47.62%
    Alishan SharafuUAE42.59%
    Rahul ChopraUAE 34.38%

    Batting Insights 

    Waseem Muhammad is one of UAE’s most experienced and reliable batters. He opens the innings and looks to set a strong pace from the start. Waseem plays big shots when the ball is there to hit but also knows how to anchor the innings when early wickets fall. His ability to score quickly without losing his wicket makes him a key batter for UAE. 

    UAE’s Muhammad Waseem reacts during the second T20 cricket match between the United Arab Emirates and New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on August 19, 2023 © Getty Images

    Alishan Sharafu brings aggressive intent to the middle order for UAE. He has shown he can score at a brisk rate and build important partnerships. Sharafu has played several impactful innings for his team, including quick fifties in recent matches, and his confidence against both pace and spin makes him a dangerous batter in T20 cricket. 

    Rahul Chopra is a dependable middle-order batter and wicketkeeper for UAE. He combines a solid technique with the ability to accelerate when needed. Chopra has played key knocks in T20Is and provides stability if the top order fails to fire. His experience also helps him judge the innings well and rotate the strike effectively.

    Top Bowlers – Likely Impact (2+ Wickets)

    Player Team Chance
    Muhammad ArfanUAE 55.56%
    Haider AliUAE42.86%
    Matthew HumphreysIreland 39.73%

    Bowling Insights 

    Muhammad Arfan (UAE) bowls steady right-arm medium-fast and uses disciplined lines to build pressure. He gets good movement off the pitch and consistently challenges batters with accuracy, making it hard for them to free their arms early in the innings. Arfan’s ability to keep things tight often forces mistakes and creates chances for wickets. 

    Haider Ali (UAE) is a slow left-arm orthodox bowler who looks to control the middle overs. He bowls with a calm rhythm and subtle variations, which can frustrate batters trying to score quickly. His flight and turn help slow the game down and bring batters into false shots. 

    Dublin , Ireland – 21 September 2025; Ireland bowler Matthew Humphreys during match three of the T20 International Series between Ireland and England at Malahide Cricket Ground in Dublin © Getty Images

    Matthew Humphreys (Ireland) bowls slow left-arm orthodox and can be a real threat with spin. He uses flight, drift, and sharp changes of pace to tempt batters out of their comfort zone. Humphreys’ ability to bowl tight lines and draw mistakes makes him a key wicket-taking option in the middle overs. 

    Squad Strength –  UAE 

    The hosts are looking to maximize their “Desert Advantage,” relying on high-skill spin and top-order batters who are deeply familiar with the Dubai International Stadium’s unique dimensions.

    Top Order & Leadership: The batting is anchored by the prolific Muhammad Waseem, whose ability to dominate the Powerplay remains the UAE’s greatest asset. He is often supported by the technical brilliance of Vriitya Aravind, who provides the “Golden Core” in the top three.

    Finishing Power: The middle order features explosive hitters like Basil Hameed and Alishan Sharafu, who are tasked with providing the final flourish and navigating the difficult middle overs against Ireland’s experienced pacers.

    Bowling Strength: The bowling unit is built around the guile of Junaid Siddique with the new ball and the relentless accuracy of Zahoor Khan at the death. Their spin department, led by Aayan Khan, will be crucial in slowing down the Irish scoring rate on the large Dubai outfields.

    Squad Strength – Ireland 

    The Irish side has focused on continuity, retaining the core of their veteran leadership while integrating “Next-Gen” talent into the middle order to boost their scoring rate.

    Top Order & Leadership: Led by the legendary Paul Stirling, the batting relies on his explosive starts alongside Ross Adair. The top order is further solidified by Harry Tector, who has been in sublime form, recently smashing a 96* in the lead-up games.

    Finishing Power: Lorcan Tucker provides stability in the middle, while George Dockrell and Curtis Campher act as the primary engines at the death, capable of clearing the ropes and turning tight games around.

    Bowling Strength: The pace battery is spearheaded by the world-class Josh Little and the reliable Mark Adair, who recently crossed the 200-wicket milestone in T20s. For spin, they lean on the rising star Matthew Humphreys, who has been a standout performer this month.

    Final Conclusion

    From a data-led perspective, while Ireland enters the match with “match-ready” momentum, the UAE holds a significant psychological and statistical advantage.

    Historically, the UAE has dominated this fixture, winning 7 of their 11 encounters, including a clean sweep of the last five matches between the two sides.