Ireland’s cricket team heads to the United Arab Emirates in January 2026 for a quick but essential T20I series. Cricket Ireland and the Emirates Cricket Board just confirmed two matches, set for January 29 and 31, both at the Dubai International Stadium.
This isn’t just any warm-up. Ireland, which joined the ICC’s Full Member club in 2017, continues to raise its game on the world stage. The UAE, meanwhile, is one of the top Associate teams. Both squads want the same thing: to get sharp before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup kicks off.
Ireland Tour of UAE 2026 T20I: Overview
So, two T20 Internationals. The UAE play at home, and they know every inch of the Dubai International Stadium. The pitch tends to help batters in the beginning, but as the innings go on, spinners usually get their chance to turn the game.
There’s a lot at stake. The World Cup starts on February 7, split between India and Sri Lanka. Ireland landed in Group B with Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and Oman, all their matches are in Sri Lanka. The UAE found themselves in Group D, facing South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and Canada.
History gives UAE the upper hand. They’ve beaten Ireland 7 out of 11 times in T20Is. Richard Holdsworth, Cricket Ireland’s Director, says this short tour is the perfect warm-up. Before they face UAE, Ireland also plays a three-match T20I series against Italy from January 23 to 26.
Ireland Tour of UAE 2026 T20I: Complete Schedule
Here is the complete schedule for the Ireland tour of UAE 2026 T20I series:
| Match | Date | Time (Local & GMT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | January 29, 2026 | 6:00 PM (2:00 PM GMT) | Dubai International Stadium |
| 2nd T20I | January 31, 2026 | 10:00 AM (6:00 AM GMT) | Dubai International Stadium |
Venues & Pitches Info
Here’s a quick look at the pitch and playing conditions.
Dubai International Stadium
Dubai International Stadium sits right in the heart of Dubai Sports City. It’s seen a ton of international cricket, holds 25,000 fans, and has that signature ‘Ring of Fire’ lighting, 350 floodlights lining the roof.
The pitch? It’s pretty balanced. Batters get value early, but things slow down later. Spinners usually come into play once the shine wears off the ball. Teams batting first tend to do well here. The square boundary is 80 meters, the straight one is 65.
Ireland Tour Of UAE Squads
The squads for Ireland’s tour of the UAE have not been announced yet. However, here is the probable squad for both teams based on recent announcements and preparations.
Ireland Probable Squad
Paul Stirling, Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.
UAE Probable Squad
Muhammad Waseem, Alishan Sharafu, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Jonathan Figy, Haider Ali, Harshit Kaushik, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Irfan, Rahul Chopra, Rohid Khan, Simranjeet Singh, Zahid Ali.
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Conclusion: Enjoy Nonstop Cricket Action In The Ireland Tour Of United Arab Emirates 2026
This Ireland tour should bring some real excitement right before the T20 World Cup. Both sides want to test their lineups and strategies. Ireland are hungry to break UAE’s edge in their head-to-heads, while the UAE will be tough to beat at home. Expect some tight contests. Ireland recently showed what they’re capable of with a 39-run win over Bangladesh on November 27, 2025. UAE, with its experienced lineup and home comfort, won’t give anything away. Cricket fans should circle these dates; it’s a sneak peek at what these teams might pull off on the World Cup stage.
