With the 2026 T20 World Cup just around the corner, cricket action returns to Dubai as the UAE hosts Ireland for a high-stakes two-match series. Led by captain Muhammad Waseem, the UAE squad is looking to fine-tune their strategy before heading to the subcontinent for the premier global tournament in India and Sri Lanka.
The series kicks off at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday, January 29, at 6:30 pm local time. The teams will have a quick turnaround for the second clash, which is scheduled for a morning start at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 31. This short series serves as a critical dress rehearsal for both nations as they prepare to face the world’s best on the big stage.
Tournament Groups and Match Schedules for UAE and Ireland
The road ahead looks challenging for both sides. The UAE is placed in Group D and will begin their World Cup campaign in Chennai against New Zealand on February 10. Their journey continues in Delhi, where they will face Canada on February 13 and Afghanistan on February 16. Interestingly, the UAE and the USA remain the only two teams in the 20-team competition that have yet to finalize their official World Cup rosters.
Ireland, positioned in Group B, will play their entire opening round in Colombo. Their schedule is packed with heavy hitters, starting against Sri Lanka on February 8 at the Premadasa Stadium. They follow this with a clash against Australia on February 11, before concluding their group stage against Oman on February 14 at the Sinhalese Sports Club.
The 2026 tournament features a structured path to the trophy. The 20 teams are split into four groups of five. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Eight stage. From there, the survivors will be split into two groups of four, with the top two finishers in those groups moving on to the semi-finals.
UAE Squad Selection for the Ireland Series
The UAE selection committee has named a balanced 15-man squad for this series, blending experienced leadership with rising talent. While the World Cup squad is still under wraps, this roster gives a clear indication of the core players expected to lead the charge in India.
Muhammad Waseem continues his tenure as captain, supported by a mix of power-hitters and clinical bowlers. The squad features two wicketkeeping options in Aryansh Sharma and Rahul Chopra, while the bowling attack will be spearheaded by the likes of Junaid Siddique and Muhammad Jawadullah.
Full UAE Squad: Muhammad Waseem (capt), Alishan Sharafu, Aryansh Sharma (wk), Basil Hameed, Haider Ali, Harshit Kaushik, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Arfan, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Zohaib, Rahul Chopra (wk), Rohid Khan, Sohaib Khan, and Simranjeet Singh.
