United Arab Emirates vs Ireland (UAE vs IRE), 2nd ODI: Match Preview And Prediction – Ireland’s Tour Of United Arab Emirates 2021

On Tuesday (12th January) morning, the hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) will face Ireland in the second game of the four-match ODI series at Sheikh Zayed Stadium (Abu Dhabi).

Currently, the UAE team is leading this series by 1-0 with three matches to go. In the first match of this ODI series, UAE claimed a 6-wicket victory. While the second ODI was originally scheduled on last Sunday (10th January), it was rescheduled after Alishan Sharafu had a positive report of COVID-19 test, which was the third COVID-19 positive report in the UAE squad.

United Arab Emirates vs Ireland (UAE vs IRE), 2nd ODI – Match Preview

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Last Friday was a historic day for the UAE who claimed their first-ever ODI victory against Ireland. It was also their second ODI victory against a Full member side.

Except the last five overs, the UAE bowlers were very disciplined in the first innings. After restricting the visitors to 269/5, the hosts once struggling on 51/3. But then Chundangapoyil Rizwan (109) and Muhammad Usman (102*) hit their maiden ODI centuries and they guided the hosts to claim a six-wicket victory with one full over remaining.

Surely this victory has brought huge confidence in this UAE side. However, they will now expect more challenges from the Irish side in the remainder of this series.

While vice-captain Chirag Suri and uncapped Aryan Lakra have returned positive COVID-19 tests just a few hours before the beginning of the first ODI, they missed that game. Later, Alishan Sharafu joined this list. They are unlikely to be available in remainder of this ODI series.

Full Squad

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

Ireland

Ireland started this new year with a negative way as they suffered their first ODI defeat against the UAE.

While Paul Stirling (131 not out) scored his second consecutive ODI century in very familiar fashion, captain Andy Balbirnie scored 53 runs. But the other batsmen failed to score big runs and it affected them in the plan to manage a big first innings total.

Later, the Irish bowlers also failed to capitalise their good start in that match as they failed to stop Chundangapoyil Rizwan and Muhammad Usman to build the game-changing fourth wicket partnership of 184 runs.

Ireland team will try their best to come out from this situation in the next game as they will play against Afghanistan after this four-match ODI series. The next ODI series against Afghanistan will be the part of inaugural ICC Cricket World Cup Super League. Also, another defeat in the ongoing series will end Ireland’s hope to win this away ODI series.

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), 2nd ODI – Match Prediction

UAE side is confident enough after winning the ODI series opener. However, the Ireland side knows very well how to make a comeback as they generally improve their game in the latter part of a series.

So, Ireland are still favourite for the second ODI of this series.