Ireland cricketer Paul Stirling has expressed disappointment over the International Cricket Council’s decision to change the format of the upcoming ODI World Cup. Stirling said Ireland had spent several years preparing for a 14-team tournament and that the revised qualification pathway creates another challenge for associate nations. He acknowledged that teams must now adjust their plans and focus on the qualification stages rather than looking too far ahead.

Stirling, one of Ireland’s most experienced players, is currently representing Belfast Wolves in the inaugural European T20 Premier League. The six-team competition features teams from Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands and aims to strengthen cricket across Europe. Stirling has scored 108 runs in four matches and said the tournament had exceeded his expectations, praising its organisation, venues, production and overall reception from supporters.

The Irish batter believes the ETPL could play an important role in developing young cricketers across Europe. He said the opportunity to play alongside experienced international players could help emerging talent improve much faster than through domestic cricket alone. Stirling also backed the growth of T20 cricket globally, saying franchise competitions and regular T20 World Cups could help increase participation and take the sport to more countries.

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Stirling also spoke positively about playing under Glenn Maxwell, who is a co-owner of Belfast Wolves. He described Maxwell as an outstanding leader who has been involved both on and off the field. Stirling also welcomed the presence of Indian cricket personalities in the ETPL, including Ravichandran Ashwin and Ajinkya Rahane, while Rahul Dravid is associated with one of the teams. He believes Indian involvement could attract more viewers and supporters to the tournament.

Reflecting on Ireland’s victory over India earlier this year, Stirling described the result as one of the country's biggest achievements. Ireland benefited from playing in familiar conditions at Stormont, while India struggled to adapt after arriving from overseas. Injuries also created opportunities for several Irish players, some of whom have since featured in the ETPL. Stirling said the series win helped Ireland identify players who could contribute to the national setup.

On the revised ODI World Cup qualification system, Stirling said Ireland would have to approach the process one stage at a time. He noted that the qualifying teams would face strong competition and that there would be no easy matches. Despite his disappointment over the change, he said Ireland must adapt quickly, concentrate on the upcoming qualifier and attempt to progress through the new pathway to reach the main World Cup tournament.

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