Ireland to play three T20Is against UAE ahead of T20 World Cup 2021

Ireland is set to play a warm-up fixture against Scotland followed by a three-match T20I series against UAE in the build-up to ICC T20 World Cup, which gets underway from October 17 in the UAE and Oman.

“The fixtures were officially announced by the Emirates Cricket Board this morning as part of the ‘DafaNews Summer T20 Blast’ – a series of fixtures between 5-10 October involving UAE, Ireland, Scotland, Namibia and Papua New Guinea. Emirates Cricket Board will confirm broadcast details of the series shortly,” a media release from September 23 read.

Ireland is set to depart for the UAE on September 24 and will have to undergo a mandatory six-day hotel quarantine upon their arrival before being able to train and practice. After the conclusion of the T20Is against UAE, Ireland will play Papua New Guinea and Bangladesh in the official T20 World Cup warm-up matches, which will be followed by the qualifying leg of the multi-team tournament.

Cricket Ireland named an 18-member provisional squad for the tournament, including uncapped spinner Graham Kennedy. The Ireland team also sees the comeback of Gareth Delany into the national team after 2020, while off-spinner Andy McBrine has been included as Simi Singh’s backup.

We are aware that every game is a major event for us: Ireland Coach

Ireland, who are grouped with Netherlands, Sri Lanka and Namibia in Round 1, will open their campaign against the Netherlands on 18 October.

“The Netherlands are very competitive,” Ireland coach Graham Ford said. “They beat us not long ago in the 50-over series, they had six players who were involved in the Hundred. We are well aware that’s going to be a huge game and makes things tougher for us.”

“Namibia – I’ve watched a lot and seen the improvements there. I know they are working damn hard there. They’ve got Albie Morkel helping out. They are in good shape and they are loading up a few South Africans as well. We are aware that every game is a major event for us and we are going to have to be at our best and hopefully the lads are up for all of that.”

Ireland vs UAE series itinerary:

October 5, 2021: Ireland v Scotland – warm-up match

October 7, 2021: Ireland v UAE – 1st T20I

October 8, 2021: Ireland v UAE – 2nd T20I

October 10, 2021: Ireland v UAE – 3rd T20I