United Arab Emirates and Ireland will go head to head in the second and final T20I of the series at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, 31 January UAE will be looking to level the series after losing the first match, while Ireland will be aiming to win the series with another good show.

Ireland won the first T20I comprehensively by 57 runs. Batting first, Ireland scored a competitive total of 178 for 6, with many players contributing important runs to the total. Ross Adair, Lorcan Tucker, Curtis Campher, Benjamin Calitz, and George Dockrell all contributed well and post a good total. UAE, on the other hand, struggled in the chase and were bowled out for 121. The batting lineup let the team down despite the good show by captain Muhammad Waseem, who scored 40. Matthew Humphreys and Gareth Delany starred with the ball for Ireland, picking up three wickets each.

UAE will be hoping to improve their batting and not have a collapse like the previous match. Ireland, on the other hand, will be taking confidence from their all-round performance and hoping to end the series on a positive note.

UAE vs IRE: Pitch Report 

The pitch in Dubai is expected to be similar to the one used in the first match. It offers a fair contest between bat and ball. Batters who spend some time at the crease can score freely, while spinners are likely to be effective during the middle overs as the pitch slows down.

UAE vs IRE: Head-to-Head (T20Is)

• Matches Played: 12
• UAE Won: 7
• Ireland Won: 5
• No Result: 0

See Also: IND vs NZ, 5th T20I: Head-to-head, pitch report & predicted playing XIs

UAE vs IRE: Predicted Playing XIs

United Arab Emirates (UAE):

Muhammad Waseem (C), Sohaib Khan, Rahul Chopra, Aryansh Sharma (WK), Alishan Sharafu, Harshit Kaushik, Basil Hameed, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Arfan, Muhammad Jawadullah

Ireland (IRE):

Paul Stirling (C), Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (WK), Ross Adair, George Dockrell, Barry McCarthy, Mark Adair, Benjamin Calitz, Matthew Humphreys, Gareth Delany

The United Arab Emirates and Ireland are set to face each other in the second T20I of the two-match series at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, January 31. With Ireland already taking an unassailable lead, the hosts will be eager to bounce back and level the series on home soil. UAE will look to address their shortcomings from the opening game and put up a stronger all-round performance to challenge the visitors in the series finale.

Ireland delivered a dominant display in the opening T20I, securing a convincing 57-run victory at the same venue. Solid batting contributions from Ross Adair, Lorcan Tucker, Curtis Campher, Benjamin Calitz, and George Dockrell powered Ireland to a competitive 178/6. In response, UAE struggled and were dismissed for 121, despite captain Muhammad Waseem’s 40. Matthew Humphreys and Gareth Delany starred with the ball, claiming three wickets each.

See Also: Watch: Shivam Dube faces unfortunate run-out dismissal for 65 during IND vs NZ 4th T20I

UAE vs IRE, 2nd T20I: Live Streaming Details

UAE vs IRE, 2nd T20I: Probable Playing XI

United Arab Emirates (UAE):

Aryansh Sharma (WK), Muhammad Waseem (C), Sohaib Khan, Rahul Chopra, Alishan Sharafu, Harshit Kaushik, Basil Hameed, Muhammad Arfan, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah.

Ireland (IRE):

Paul Stirling (C), Ross Adair, Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (WK), George Dockrell, Benjamin Calitz, Barry McCarthy, Mark Adair, Gareth Delany, Matthew Humphreys.

Before the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, Ireland are playing a two-match T20I series against the hosts UAE, where the Irish legend Paul Stirling created a new record by surpassing former Indian captain Rohit Sharma's world record in T20I cricket. 

Most T20I matches: Paul Striling surpassed Rohit Sharma's record

On Thursday night (January 29), when Ireland faced the hosts UAE at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, it was the 160th T20I match for Paul Stirling, who also led the team. With this game, Stirling set a new record for playing the most T20I matches, by surpassing the previous record of 159 T20I matches by the T20 World Cup-winning Indian captain Rohit Sharma. 

As the former Indian captain Rohit Sharma has already retired from T20I cricket, as well as Test cricket, he can't better his T20I appearances record, unless he makes a surprise T20I comeback.

Another Ireland cricketer George Dockrell is chasing the top two T20I appearances positions, as he played his 153rd T20I during the UAE vs Ireland 1st T20I on Thursday night. Afghanistan cricketer Mohammad Nabi is in the fourth position with 148 T20Is.

See Also: Rajasthan Royals set to become first billion-dollar franchise ahead of IPL 2026

Most T20I appearances (updated as of January 29, 2026)

• Paul Stirling (Ireland): 160 matches*
• Rohit Sharma (India): 159 matches
• George Dockrell (Ireland): 153 matches*
• Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan): 148 matches*
• Jos Buttler (England): 144 matches*

*active players

Ireland won 1st T20I vs UAE by 57 runs

In the first UAE vs Ireland T20I, Ireland won by 57 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series. After Ireland chose to bat first, they scored 178/6 in 20 overs, where the opener Ross Adair (39) and Lorcan Tucker (38) scored crucial 30s. Also, Curtis Campher (25), Ben Calitz (26*), and George Dockrell (22*) managed crucial 20s to set a challenging target for the hosts.

In reply, although the UAE openers Aryansh Sharma and captain Muhammad Waseem provided a good start, once that 54-run opening partnership was broken in the next over after the powerplay, the visiting bowlers comfortably took the game away. Only both the UAE openers managed to score 20-run marks, as Waseem scored 40 runs and Aryansh scored 23 runs. 

Among the Irish bowlers, Matthew Humphreys (3/26) and Gareth Delany (3/26) got three wickets each, while Barry McCarthy (2/26) had two wickets. 

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

The United Arab Emirates will face Ireland in the first T20I of the Ireland tour of the United Arab Emirates 2026, which will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Ground, Dubai. The United Arab Emirates is going to return to the T20 format after almost four months. The captain, Muhammad Waseem, is confident that the team can start their season well. Nonetheless, Ireland is coming into the series with a lot of confidence having defeated Italy in a three-match T20I series played in the UAE. 

Captain Muhammad Waseem, Alishan Sharafu, Rohan Chopra, Mayank Kumar, and Asif Khan are the key players for the Irish side to perform well in this match, while the home side will be relying on the likes of Paul Stirling, Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, and Benjamin Calitz to score the runs. 

Also Read: Ireland tour of United Arab Emirates, 1st T20I: UAE vs IRE, Probable Playing 11, Where To Watch, Live Streaming Details

UAE vs IRE Match Details

• Match: United Arab Emirates vs Ireland, 1st T20I

• Date: 29th January 2026

• Time: 8.00 PM IST

• Venue: Dubai International Cricket Ground, Dubai

• Live Streaming: FanCode

UAE vs IRE Weather Report

Pitch Report - Dubai International Cricket Ground

• Balanced wicket

• Large boundaries 

• Chasing team advantage due to the dew

Top Batters to Watch – UAE vs IRE

• Paul Stirling (IRE): 3866 runs in T20I 

• Lorcan Tucker (IRE): 1541 runs in T20I 

• Muhammad Waseem (UAE): 3184 runs in T20I 

Top Bowlers to Watch – UAE vs IRE

• Joshua Little (IRE): 82 wickets in T20I 

• Junaid Siddique (UAE): 113 wickets in T20I 

• Craig Young (IRE): 87 wickets in T20I

UAE vs IRE Recent Form

UAE vs IRE Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1: If UAE Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 40–45

• Predicted Total: 140-145

• Match Result: IRE to win

Scenario 2: If IRE Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 45–50

• Predicted Total: 155–165

• Match Result: IRE to win

Who Will Hit the Most Sixes?

Who Will Hit the Most Fours?

UAE vs IRE Predicted Playing XIs

United Arab Emirates 

Muhammad Waseem (captain), Alishan Sharafu, Harshit Kaushik, Rohan Chopra, Mayank Kumar, Asif Khan, Dhruv Parashar, Muhammad Rohid, Junaid Siddique, Haider Ali and Saghir Khan.

Ireland 

Paul Stirling (c), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker(wk), Benjamin Calitz, Matthew Humphreys, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Craig Young, Gareth Delaney and George Dockrell.

UAE vs IRE Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win Today?

According to our UAE vs IRE today match prediction, Ireland are the favourites to win the 1st T20I. The likes of Paul Stirling, Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector will be key players to watch out for.

UAE vs IRE Match FAQs

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ireland (IRE) are all set to kick off their two-match T20I series, with the first game scheduled at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday, January 29. The two teams last faced each other in a T20I back in February 2022. The UAE will aim to make the most of their time in the middle ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. Captain Muhammad Waseem is expected to play a crucial role with the bat while leading the team tactically.

Ireland comes into the series with confidence after winning a three-match T20I series against Italy in Dubai, taking the contest 2-1. The side has used the preparation period effectively, giving players valuable match practice ahead of the World Cup. Ireland will aim to build on that momentum, experimenting with strategies and combinations to fine-tune their team. Both encounters will serve as a key opportunity for the Irish squad to assess conditions and sharpen skills ahead of the mega tournament starting February 7.

See Also: 'Batting first to challenge...' - Former India player criticizes team selection after India's defeat in IND vs NZ 4th T20I

Ireland tour of United Arab Emirates, 1st T20I, UAE vs IRE: Live Streaming Details

Ireland tour of United Arab Emirates, 1st T20I, UAE vs IRE: Probable Playing XI

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

Chattogram Royals are facing some problems ahead of the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). A few overseas players have pulled out of the tournament. Team mentor and batting coach Tushar Imran spoke about the issue. He said that the absence of foreign players is a concern, but the team is confident of putting out a strong playing XI from the first match.

Chattogram were already informed that Sri Lankan batter Angelo Perera would not be available for the BPL. Now, more players have pulled out. These include wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella, Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed, and Ireland captain Paul Stirling. On Tuesday, Tushar Imran spoke to the media and explained the reasons behind these withdrawals.

Talking about Dickwella, Tushar said, “We know about Dickwella’s situation. He has been selected in Sri Lanka’s T20 squad, and because of this, the board is not giving him a No Objection Certificate (NOC).”

Also Read -England face another massive setback ahead of 4th Ashes 2025/26 Boxing Day Test

🚨 BREAKING 🚨
Abrar Ahmed has pulled himself out of the BPL, despite receiving an official NOC.

❗ No reason has been disclosed for his withdrawal so far.#BPL #Pakistan #CricketNews pic.twitter.com/UmyP0l4Qwm

— Shadman Sakib Arnob (@arnuX05) December 23, 2025

Overseas Players Pull Out

Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed was unsure until the last moment. Tushar Imran said they were in talks with him, but Pakistan did not release him in time.

Talking about Paul Stirling, Tushar said the decision came from the player himself. Stirling chose to withdraw from the tournament on his own.

Even after these setbacks, Tushar Imran is positive that Chattogram Royals will not face major problems in team selection. He confirmed that South African all-rounder Cameron Delport and Pakistan batter Kamran Ghulam are still part of the squad and will join the team soon.

Read More -Watch: Fans chanting 'Mumbai Cha Raja' as Rohit Sharma on field for Vijay Hazare Trophy match

Focus on Team Balance

As per BPL rules, teams can play up to four overseas players in the playing XI. Tushar said Chattogram plans to use all four overseas players. He added that team balance will not be a big issue, as seven local players will also play.

However, the main challenge is the batting order. Most of the available overseas players are openers. Chattogram are now looking for a strong middle-order batter.

Tushar explained that Dickwella and Stirling are top-order players. The team already has several local openers like Joy, Naim Sheikh, and young batter Robin. Even the backup players are mostly openers.

He added that the team is in talks with Kamran Ghulam, who is a strong middle-order batter. The management is also speaking to other players who can bat in the middle order.

Ireland (IRE) will take on England (ENG) in the opening T20I of the three-match series at The Village in Dublin on Wednesday, September 17. The hosts come into the contest after a tough home series against the West Indies, where they faced a 0-1 defeat. Determined to bounce back, Ireland will aim to put in a stronger performance this time. With the home advantage in their favor, the team will rely on its players’ skills and resilience to challenge England in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.

On the other hand, England enter the series in positive spirits after drawing their recent T20I battle against South Africa. Under Jacob Bethell’s leadership, the side has shown consistency and balance, which will be vital in this contest. Despite being aware of the tricky conditions in Dublin, the visitors possess enough depth and talent to adapt effectively. England will be eager to start the series on a strong note and set the tone for the remaining games.

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England vs Ireland, 1st T20I: Live Streaming Details

England vs Ireland, 1st T20I: Probable Playing XI

Ireland (Probable Playing XI):

Paul Stirling(c), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker(w), Ben Calitz, George Dockrell, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys, Benjamin White, Jordan Neil, Craig Young

England (Probable Playing XI):

Phil Salt, Jos Buttler(w), Jacob Bethell (C), Tom Banton, Jamie Overton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood, Saqib Mahmood

At last, the rain stayed away and the West Indies triumphed against Ireland in the third and final T20I at Bready to clinch the series 1-0. The weather stayed clear and, much to the visitors' delight, their in-form batters went berserk, punishing the Irish bowlers mercilessly. In what turned out to be a high-voltage thriller, the West Indies, while batting first, mounted an astronomical score of 256 for the loss of five wickets, making it their second-highest T20I score. Evin Lewis (91 off 44) and Shai Hope (51 off 27) were the top performers with the bat for the Men in Maroon, while Akeal Hosein emerged as the pick of the bowlers, returning economical figures of 3-27. 

There was not much to cherish from the Irish point of view. Apart from Humphreys, who went at just 4 RPO while picking up two wickets, the rest of the Irish bowlers went for plenty, with every bowler going at more than  12 RPO. Ireland, in response, tried to stage a counter-attack in the second half, but the target proved way beyond their reach and they comfortably fell short by 62 runs. 

See also: West Indies vs Australia: Jamaica’s Sabina Park Eyes Pink-Ball Test

West Indies Innings

The West Indies started off their innings in a dominating fashion. The WI openers Lewis and Hope got the visitors off to a flyer, piling on 122 runs within the first 11 overs. The Irish bowlers, especially Liam McCarthy, were taken aback early doors by the incredible hitting and simply had no answers to the onslaught. Hope played a composed knock of 51, while Lewis was the aggressor, hammering 91 and narrowly missing out on a well-deserved century. The duo hit a combined 12 sixes and 11 fours which completly crippled the Irish bowling attack by the halfway stage. 

Ireland, on the other hand, didn’t have the ideal start, conceding a few loose deliveries that the Men in Maroon were quick to capitalize on. But during the middle overs, they did try to exert some control with the ball, chipping in with a few quick wickets. But that did not seem to have a great deal of impact on the WI innings as Keacy Carty had an impressive T20I debut, finishing unbeaten on 49 in just 22 balls. Romario Shepherd added the finishing touches with a flurry of boundaries, which helped the Windies surge past the 250-run mark in blazing style.

Ireland Innings

In pursuit of their humongous target of 257, Ireland suffered an early blow, losing their captain, Paul Stirling, in only the second over of the run chase. But following that dismissal, a steady 101-run partnership between Ross Adair (48) and Harry Tector (38) followed, which somewhat revived the faint hopes of a potential Irish win. But they were still way behind in the run chase, with the asking rate nearly touching 16 RPO at the halfway stage. After that brief fightback, both Ross and Tector were removed in quick succession in the space of just four balls.

Their quick departures meant a disastrous middle-order collapse, and Ireland never quite recovered. Despite some late resistance from George Dockrell (15 off 8), Mark Adair (31 off 14), and Liam McCarthy (16 off 15) in the lower order, the task proved too tall. The Windies bowlers were able to get themselves back into business after overcoming a resilient stand between Ross and Tector. Once that partnership was broken, the West Indies never offered any realistic opportunity for Ireland to make a comeback. Akeal Hosein led the bowling effort for the visitors and starred with an impressive three-wicket haul, while Jason Holder, Roston Chase, and Romario Shepherd chipped in with key breakthroughs at crucial moments.

Ireland vs West Indies: Match Scorecard

West Indies – 256/5 (20 Overs)

Ireland – 194/7 (20 Overs)

The third and final T20I match of the three-match series between Ireland and West Indies will commence on June 15 at the Bready Cricket Club in Magheramason. The series has been negatively impacted by the weather, with the first two games being washed out completely without a single ball being bowled. Although the forecast for the third T20I does not look bright either, both teams would be hoping to get some time out in the middle. There are high chances of the third game being abandoned as well, but we remain hopeful that this is not the case. Previously, the two sides met in the ODI series last month, which ended in a 1-1 stalemate. 

The home team boasts a commendable track record against the Windies in this format. Their historic victory over the West Indies in the 2022 T20 World Cup was clearly a win for the ages, as that win led to the humiliating exit of the 2016 champions. Although they hold an impressive 3-3 win record against a quality T20 side, Ireland has yet to secure a series win against the West Indies. On the other hand, the visiting team is currently experiencing a challenging tour. The Men in Maroon competed against Ireland in a three-match ODI series but struggled significantly, resulting in a 1-1 draw. Furthermore, the team suffered a severe setback in their England series previously, losing both the T20I and ODI series without registering a single win.

See also: [WATCH] WTC Final SA vs AUS: Relive History in making as South Africa win ICC title after 27 years

Match Details

Weather Report

The weather will once again play its part in the third and final T20I fixture of the series. It has been raining nonstop in Bready for the past few days, and it is highly likely that the rain will persist on Sunday as well. Gloomy overhead conditions and moderate to low precipitation of 20% are predicted by Google Weather. However, the forecast can worsen as time rolls by. During the day, the temperature can reach a maximum of 16 °C and can go down to as low as 9 °C at dusk or beyond.  Humidity rate is on the higher side, around 81%, while wind speed is expected to clock speeds of 21 km/hr.

Pitch Report

The pitch at Bready Cricket Club provides equitable support to both bowlers and batsmen. The batters are able to take advantage of the consistent bounce, allowing them to execute their shots with confidence once they have acclimatized. Additionally, the presence of a rapid outfield enhances their opportunities. Fast bowlers gain from additional bounce and movement, particularly during the early overs. Similarly, spinners achieve success owing to the reliable bounce. We anticipate a high-scoring match when the two teams face off today, provided the weather gods show some mercy.

Head-to-Head record

Predicted Playing XIs

Ireland
Paul Stirling (c), Stephen Doheny, Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Liam McCarthy, Barry McCarthy, Ben White, Josh Little

West Indies
Johnson Charles, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope (c & wk), Keacy Carty, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph