New Delhi, Feb. 13 -- Ireland have faced a significant blow as their skipper Paul Stirling has suffered ligament damage to his knee and will miss the remainder of the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

Stirling will be replaced by 20-year-old batter Sam Topping in Ireland's T20 World Cup squad.

Stirling hurt his right knee when completing a catch during Ireland's 67-run loss to Australia on Wednesday, and the experienced captain aggravated it once again when he went for a quick single when returning to the crease to bat in the same match, as per the ICC website.

Ireland's Director of High Performance, Graeme West, said it was a bitter blow to lose Stirling's experience, though he has high hopes for Topping as a replacement.

"Paul Stirli...