Harry Tector’s career-best 96 not out guided Ireland to a 24-run win over Italy and gave them an unassailable 2-0 lead in their three-game T20 series in Dubai.

With Ireland having lost the toss and been put into bat, Tector began the final over of his side’s innings on 88 as he sought to become the fourth men’s player to hit a century for Ireland in the format.

After a pair of boundaries brought him four runs shy, he ran a leg bye from the third delivery of the over and did not get back on strike.

The 26-year-old, who also led the way with 41 in Friday’s win, had come to the crease when Ireland were 13-1 after opener Ross Adair was out for one when caught by Grant Stewart off the bowling of Thomas Draca.

Tector and opener Paul Stirling injected some life into the Irish innings by smashing a quick 28 off the next 19 deliveries before a 62-run stand for the third wicket with Lorcan Tucker helped them into a comfortable position.

While no Irish player other than Tector faced more than 22 balls, their final tally of 190 felt a challenging one for Italy.

Despite an 125-run partnership between Anthony Musca (69) and Wayne Madsen (61) for the third wicket, they struggled to score at the required rate and their chase ultimately finished 24 runs shy.

The three-match series in the United Arab Emirates, which forms part of both teams’ preparation for the T20 Cricket World Cup in February, concludes on Monday (14:00 GMT).

Ireland will face co-hosts Sri Lanka in their World Cup opener on 8 February and will also meet Australia, Oman and Zimbabwe in Group B.

First-time qualifiers Italy will now open their campaign against Scotland on 9 February after it was confirmed on Saturday that the 14th-ranked side in the world will replace Bangladesh at the tournament.

England, West Indies and Nepal are the other teams in Group C.