United Arab Emirates vs Ireland (UAE vs IRE), 1st ODI: Match Preview And Prediction - Ireland’s Tour Of United Arab Emirates 2021

On Friday (8th January), the hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) will take on Ireland in the opening game of the four-match ODI series at Sheikh Zayed Stadium (Abu Dhabi).

In the latest men’s ODI team rankings, Ireland are in the 11th position while the UAE are in the 17th spot. Last time, they faced each other in the ODI format in March 2018 during the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, where Ireland claimed a big victory.

United Arab Emirates vs Ireland (UAE vs IRE) – Match Prediction

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

UAE are getting ready to restart their international cricket journey, who last played in February 2020 during the ACC Western Region T20, where they won that trophy. Meanwhile, they played the last ODI in early January 2020 during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2.

Ahmed Raza will lead this ODI side. Apart from the uncapped 37-year-old Muhammad Boota, four youngsters have also been added in this ODI squad. These four new young names are Aryan Lakra, Alishan Sharafu, Kashif Daud and Adithya Shetty.

Some of their crucial names in batting are Muhammad Usman, Rohan Mustafa, Chirag Suri etc. Meanwhile, captain Ahmed Raza, Rohan Mustafa and Junaid Siddique will play crucial roles in the bowling department.

Full Squad

Ahmed Raza (C), Chirag Suri (VC), Rohan Mustafa, Muhammad Usman, Muhammad Boota, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmad, Zawar Farid, CP Rizwaan, Aryan Lakra, Karthik Meiyappan, Alishan Sharafu, Basil Hameed, Kashif Daud, Adithya Shetty, Vriitya Aravind

Ireland

Ireland played their last international match in August 2020 during the ODI series against the hosts England, where the Irish team lost that series by the 2-1 margin.

After this four-match ODI series against the hosts UAE, Ireland will play a crucial ODI series against Afghanistan in this same tour, which will be also a part of the inaugural  ICC Cricket World Cup Super League. So, the Irish team will obviously take seriously this ODI series against UAE.

Though they played very lesser matches in 2020, Ireland team played much positive cricket as they beat T20 World champions West Indies and latest ODI World Cup winners England, and that too in their respective home venues. Andrew Balbirnie-led Irish side is very positive ahead of their international cricket restart on Friday.

Full Squad

Andrew Balbirnie (C), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, Kevin O’Brien, Neil Rock, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.

United Arab Emirates vs Ireland (UAE vs IRE) – Match Prediction

Till the date, Ireland and UAE have met in six ODIs, and Ireland won all those ODI matches. Their last ODI meeting was at Harare on 12th March 2018 during the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, where Ireland thrashed the Asian side by 226 runs (DLS method).

So, Ireland are favourite for this upcoming match. However, hosts UAE are ready to put a strong challenge over the European side.