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