Ireland set for UAE detour before T20 World Cup

Ireland tour of UAE, 2026

Ireland will make a pit-stop in the UAE before arriving for the T20 World Cup, Cricket Ireland and the Emirates Cricket Board confirmed on Friday (November 28). The two teams will be involved in a short series in which they will play two T20Is as part of their preparations for the mega event co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Arriving in late January next year in the UAE, Ireland will take on the hosts in the first T20I on January 29 before facing them again two days later in the second and final fixture. Both these matches will be played at the Dubai International Stadium.

Following the completion of the series, Ireland will fly to Sri Lanka where they will play all four group matches. They have been placed in a group with Sri Lanka, Australia, Zimbabwe and Oman. UAE, on the other hand, will fly to India where they play their opening game against New Zealand in Chennai before facing Canada, Afghanistan and South Africa in Delhi.

Richard Holdsworth, Director of Cricket at Cricket Ireland, said: "We are delighted that the Emirates Cricket Board has agreed to host and play two T20Is against Ireland at Dubai International Stadium. This series against the UAE will provide part of an exceptional warm-up programme for our players – we hope to announce more fixtures shortly. Our thanks to the ECB and we look forward to playing some competitive cricket in such a prestigious stadium."