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

Ireland’s Men’s squad will face the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of their preparation for the 2021 T20 World Cup, according to Cricket Ireland. During the build-up to the ICC event, they will also play Scotland in a warm-up game.

The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) revealed the full schedule for the next nine days on Thursday morning. The tournament is part of the ‘Dafa News Summer T20 Blast,’ which includes matches between the UAE, Ireland, Scotland, Papua New Guinea, and Namibia.

Ireland is scheduled to fly to the United Arab Emirates on September 24 and will be subjected to a six-day hotel quarantine upon arrival before being free to train and practice. Following the conclusion of the T20Is against the UAE, Ireland will play official T20 World Cup warm-up matches against Papua New Guinea and Bangladesh, followed by the qualifying leg of the multi-team competition.

For the event, Cricket Ireland has chosen an 18-man provisional team, which includes uncapped spinner Graham Kennedy. Gareth Delany will return to the Ireland team after 2020, and off-spinner Andy McBrine will be Simi Singh’s backup. Ireland, who are in Round 1 with the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, and Namibia, will begin their campaign on October 18 against the Netherlands.

Ireland coach Graham Ford noted, “The Netherlands are a highly competitive team. They beat us in the 50-over series not long ago, and they had six players engaged in the Hundred. We’re well aware that it’ll be a big game, which makes things more difficult for us.”

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