Ireland tour of UAE (2026)

[Ball Blazer]

UAE to host Ireland for two-match T20I series in January 2026

UAE will host Ireland for a two-match T20I series in January 2026. The series will help both teams prepare for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup which will be played in India and Sri Lanka from 7 February 2026 to 8 March 2026. Both matches will be staged at the Dubai International Stadium. The first match of the series will be played on Thursday, 29 January with the first ball to be bowled at 6:00pm local time.

The second match of the series will be played on Saturday, 31 January with the first ball to bowled at 10:00am local time.

Chief Operating Officer Emirates Cricket Board Subhan Ahmad: “We are delighted to announce Ireland’s tour to the UAE. The tour will benefit both teams and help them in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 preparations.

“Here at the ECB, we have always endeavoured to provide the best exposure and opportunities to our players by hosting ICC Full Members on a regular basis. In 2025 we hosted Bangladesh followed by a tri-series in Sharjah [Afghanistan and Pakistan]. Our team also earned great experience by competing in the Asia Cup. The players will have a good build-up to the prestigious ICC T20 World Cup through the Ireland series.”

Director of Cricket at Cricket Ireland Richard Holdsworth: “We are delighted that the Emirates Cricket Board has agreed to host and play two T20Is against Ireland at Dubai International Stadium. This series against the UAE will provide part of an exceptional warm-up programme for our players. Our thanks to the ECB and we look forward to playing some competitive cricket in such a prestigious stadium.”

UAE-Ireland T20Is – Dubai International Stadium

First T20I: Thursday, 29 January – UAE vs Ireland – 6:00pm

Second T20I: Saturday, 31 January – UAE vs Ireland – 10:00am

https://emiratescricket.com/news-detail/nQpz4yJrb2WPdWLDX7wK

 

[sweep_shot]

Ireland are favorites.

 

[Ball Blazer]

Ireland are favorites.

both equally are

 

[sweep_shot]

both equally are

I think Ireland is better. Better batters and better bowlers. UAE mostly have sloggers.

UAE is not even among top 3 associates.

Ireland is a Test nation.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Ireland began their three-match Twenty20 international series against the United Arab Emirates with a 57-run win over the hosts in Dubai.

It was a return to winning ways for Ireland, who lost the final match of a 2-1 series win against Italy on Monday as they continue their preparations for their opening T20 World Cup match against Sri Lanka in Colombo on 8 February.

Winning the toss, Ireland opted to bat first and immediately went on the offensive but lost captain Paul Stirling for eight in the first over after he had hit two fours.

His opening partner Ross Adair fared better with 39 before being bowled by Muhammad Arfan and while Harry Tector was out for four, Adair's partnership with Lorcan Tucker proved fruitful with the wicketkeeper making 38 - which included two sixes - before being removed by Haider Ali.

Ireland remained steady with Ben Calitz (26 not out) and Curtis Campher (25) continuing to grow their tally, and while Gareth Delany managed just eight when falling to Junaid Siddique, 22 not out from George Dockrell helped Ireland to 178-6 at the end of their 20 overs.

The hosts began their chase brightly with captain Muhammad Waseem and Aryansh Sharma building a solid partnership before Delany made the first breakthrough when removing wicketkeeper Sharma for 23.

Sohaib Khan was next to go, while the fall of Waseem for 40 prompted the hosts' challenge to begin to fall apart.

Delany and Matthew Humphreys took three wickets apiece and Barry McCarthy two, removing Arfan with the hosts all out for 121.

The teams will meet in the second and final match of the series at the same venue on Saturday (14:00 GMT).


BBC