UAE vs Ireland 1st ODI Match Predictions and Preview

While Test status teams have been back on the field for a while, with almost every team having played matches since the lockdown ended, associate nations have unfortunately not been as lucky. The United Arab Emirates haven’t played an international match since February, and that is about to change with their four-match series against Ireland. The UAE have never won an ODI against Ireland, with their latest defeat being their worst by far, but they will be looking to change that this series. Ireland on the other hand had a famous second victory against England late last year, and will want to dominate the UAE before they take on the much more seasoned Afghanistan the following week. Before the players head out onto the field, let’s take a look at the two sides.

UAE Announced squad, Predicted XI, Form, and Key Players for this match

UAE announced squad: Ahmed Raza (c), Chirag Suri, Waheed Ahmed, Vriitya Aravind (wk), Mohammad Boota, Kashif Daud, Zawar Farid, Basil Hameed, Zahoor Khan, Aryan Lakra, Palaniapan Meiyappan, Rohan Mustafa, Chundangapoyil Rizwan, Alishan Sharafu, Adithya Shetty, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Usman.

Predicted XI: Ahmed Raza (c), Vriitya Aravind (wk), Chirag Suri, Waheed Ahmed, Basil Hameed, Zahoor Khan, Rohan Mustafa, Muhammad Usman, Alishan Sharafu, Junaid Siddique, Chundangapoyil Rizwan.

They say that you only improve your game if you play against better players. It’s not often that the UAE gets to play against a full Test nation, and since this is their first bilateral series against one, it is a chance they will want to make the best of. There’s a reasonable amount of talent on this UAE side, and although the players are far from experienced, they will be eager to cause an upset. Had this been a T20I, they would have had a better chance owing to the format’s unpredictability. On the batting end, they have the likes of Chirag Suri, Rohan Mustafa, Muhammad Usman, Basil Hameed, and Waheed Ahmed, while Chundangapoyil Rizwan, Junaid Siddique, Zahoor Khan, and captain Ahmed Raza will lead the bowling. 

UAE Key players

• Muhammad Usman: By far the most experienced ODI player for the UAE, Usman is a grizzled veteran who can be a solid presence on the crease. 

• Basil Hameed: Although Hameed has only played 6 ODI matches, he has a great average and knows how to survive in the middle.

• Junaid Siddique: Another talented player with little experience, Junaid has been great for his team since his debut in December 2019.

• Ahmed Raza: The UAE’s captain has been with the team for a long time, and his devious spin bowling has bamboozled many a maestro of the game. 

Ireland Announced squad, Predicted XI, Form, and Key Players for this match

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

Predicted XI: Andrew Balbirnie (c), Gareth Delany, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Kevin O’Brien, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Curtis Campher, Mark Adair, Andrew McBrine, Craig Young, Josh Little.

Well-known for occasionally punching above their weight, Ireland will be up against an underdog team that they have never lost against. Barring a miracle, as long as they don’t get complacent, they should be fine. Since getting their Test status in May 2018, they have had a chequered ODI record, but that’s not too bad considering how inexperienced they are. The team has a healthy balance of experience and skill, with Andrew Balbirnie, Gareth Delaney, Paul Stirling, and Kevin O’Brien as their batting firepower, and Curtis Campher, Andrew McBrine, Craig Young, and Josh Little offering their services with the ball

Ireland Key players

• Paul Stirling: With his last innings being the memorable 142 against England, Stirling’s experience and skill can form the crux of Ireland’s innings.

• Andrew Balbirnie: A veteran of 70 ODI matches, Balbirnie is a stable, solid batsman who can hold up his end for extended periods.

• Craig Young: While not very experienced for his 30 years, Young has nevertheless been a force to be reckoned with through his short career.

• Curtis Campher: This South Africa-born youngster was a revelation during his team’s series against England, and his all-round abilities make him an important figure in the team.

Head-to-head

Of the 6 matches the two teams have played between them, all took place before Ireland received their Test status, and all of them were won by the Green Whites. The very first match was a close affair, but everything since has been comfortably won by the visitors. 

United Arab Emirates vs Ireland weather and pitch conditions

With cool temperatures, low humidity, and no chance of rain, this desert clash couldn’t have taken place under better conditions. 

With extensive play having taken place at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi this year, it can be concluded that the pitch favours both bowlers and batsmen, and it should be an even, entertaining contest. 

Can the UAE surprise their mighty visitors with a miracle straight out of the Arabian Nights? Or will the luck of the Irish pull them past any such peril? Find out if our UAE vs Ireland match prediction come true on Friday!