United Arab Emirates and Ireland will kick off their two-match T20I series with the first game at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday, January 29. The two teams are meeting in a T20I after a long gap, adding extra interest to the opening match.

UAE will use this series as important preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. Led by Muhammad Waseem, the hosts will look to make the most of familiar conditions. Waseem is likely to play an important role in the opening, while the remaining batting lineup will have to work towards providing support.

Ireland have had good recent results as they played a T20I series against Italy in Dubai recently and won it 2-1. That experience in similar conditions should help them settle quickly. With several experienced players in the squad, Ireland will be confident of starting the series on a positive note.

UAE vs IRE Head-to-Head in T20Is

• Matches Played: 11
  
• UAE Won: 7
  
• Ireland Won: 4
  
• Tied / No Result: 0

UAE vs IRE: Pitch Report

The Dubai pitch usually offers a fair contest between bat and ball. Batters can get runs freely in the initial stages, but the pitch may slow down as the match progresses. Chasing might be possible, but teams will have to adjust as the ball might not come on to the bat as easily in the second innings.

See Also: PAK vs AUS, 1st T20I: Head-to-head, pitch report & predicted playing XIs

UAE vs IRE: Predicted Playing XIs

United Arab Emirates (UAE):

Alishan Sharafu, Muhammad Waseem (c), Rahul Chopra (wk), Aryansh Sharma, Sohaib Khan, Muhammad Farooq, Harshit Kaushik, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, Simranjeet Singh, Muhammad Rohid

Ireland (IRE):

Paul Stirling (c), Ross Adair, Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), George Dockrell, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Gareth Delany, Craig Young, Mark Adair