The United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Ireland Cricket Team Match Scorecard from the 1st T20I of the Ireland Tour of UAE 2026 showcased a dominant all-round performance with the aid of Ireland. After posting an aggressive 178/6 of their 20 overs, Ireland’s bowlers dismantled the UAE batting lineup, bowling them out for 121 in 19.5 overs to secure a powerful 57-run victory.
Gareth Delany starred with each bat and ball and was deservedly named Player of the Match for his fit-winning bowling spell.
Match Overview
| Match | United Arab Emirates vs Ireland |
|---|---|
| Series | Ireland Tour of United Arab Emirates 2026 |
| Match | 1st T20 International |
| Date | 29 January 2026 |
| Venue | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| Toss | United Arab Emirates won the toss and elected to field |
| Ireland Score | 178/6 (20 Overs) |
| UAE Score | 121 All Out (19.5 Overs) |
| Result | Ireland won by 57 runs |
| Player of the Match | Gareth Delany |
Ireland Innings – 178/6 (20 Overs)
Ireland lost captain Paul Stirling early but recovered brilliantly thanks to solid contributions from Ross Adair, Lorcan Tucker, Curtis Campher, and a late flourish from George Dockrell and Ben Calitz. Their aggressive batting helped Ireland finish with a challenging total of 178 runs.
Ireland Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Stirling (c) | 8 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 266.67 |
| Ross Adair | 39 | 29 | 5 | 1 | 134.48 |
| Harry Tector | 4 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 44.44 |
| Lorcan Tucker (wk) | 38 | 25 | 4 | 2 | 152.00 |
| Curtis Campher | 25 | 23 | 3 | 0 | 108.70 |
| Gareth Delany | 8 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 88.89 |
| Ben Calitz* | 26 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 216.67 |
| George Dockrell* | 22 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 220.00 |
| Extras | 8 | ||||
| Total | 178/6 | 20 Overs |
UAE Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junaid Siddique | 4 | 36 | 2 | 9.00 |
| Haider Ali | 4 | 35 | 2 | 8.75 |
| Muhammad Arfan | 4 | 35 | 1 | 8.75 |
| Others | 8 | 72 | 1 | 9.00 |
United Arab Emirates Innings – 121 All Out (19.5 Overs)
Chasing 179, UAE never gained momentum. Opener Muhammad Waseem played the lone significant innings, but regular wickets prevented the hosts from building any meaningful partnerships.
Ireland’s bowling attack maintained pressure throughout the chase, with Gareth Delany and Matthew Humphreys leading the way.
UAE Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs |
|---|---|
| Muhammad Waseem | 40 |
| Basil Hameed | 20 |
| Rahul Chopra | 16 |
| Others | 45 |
| Extras | 0 |
| Total | 121 All Out (19.5 Overs) |
Ireland Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gareth Delany | 4 | 26 | 3 | 6.50 |
| Matthew Humphreys | 4 | 26 | 3 | 6.50 |
| Barry McCarthy | 3.5 | 26 | 2 | 6.78 |
| Mark Adair | 4 | 28 | 1 | 7.00 |
| Others | 4 | 15 | 1 | 3.75 |
Key Moments of the Match
- Ireland recovered strongly after losing an early wicket.
- Ross Adair and Lorcan Tucker built the foundation with valuable knocks.
- Ben Calitz and George Dockrell accelerated in the death overs.
- Muhammad Waseem fought hard for UAE with 40 runs.
- Gareth Delany and Matthew Humphreys each claimed three wickets.
- Ireland bowled UAE out with one ball remaining in the innings.
Match Statistics
| Statistic | Ireland | UAE |
|---|---|---|
| Total Runs | 178 | 121 |
| Wickets Lost | 6 | 10 |
| Overs Faced | 20.0 | 19.5 |
| Run Rate | 8.90 | 6.10 |
| Highest Scorer | Ross Adair (39) | Muhammad Waseem (40) |
| Best Bowler | Gareth Delany (3/26) | Junaid Siddique (2/36) |
Player of the Match
| Award | Winner | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Player of the Match | Gareth Delany | 8 runs and 3 wickets for 26 runs |
Delany made a decisive impact with the ball, removing key UAE batters and ensuring Ireland comfortably defended their total.
What This Result Meant
The victory gave Ireland a 1-0 lead in the two-suit T20I collection. Their balanced performance with each bat and ball highlighted the group’s intensity and experience within the shortest format. Ireland later went on to win the second one T20I as well, finishing a 2-0 series sweep over the United Arab Emirates.
AE vs Ireland Head-to-Head Summary
| Format | Matches | Ireland Won | UAE Won | No Result/Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One Day Internationals (ODIs) | 18 | 13 | 5 | 0 |
| Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Overall | 25 | 19 | 6 | 0 |
FAQs
Who received the United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Ireland Cricket Team match?
Ireland gained the first T20I through 57 runs.
Where turned into the match played?
The match was held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai.
Who turned into the Player of the Match?
Gareth Delany obtained the award for his all-round performance, including 3 wickets for 26 runs.
What rating did Ireland make?
Ireland scored 178/6 in 20 overs.
How many runs did UAE rate?
The United Arab Emirates had been bowled out for 121 runs in 19.5 overs.
Conclusion
The United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Ireland Cricket Team match scorecard reflects Ireland’s dominance in each department. After putting an aggressive goal of 178, the visitors produced a disciplined bowling show to dismiss UAE for 121, sealing a complete 57-run victory. Gareth Delany’s in shape-triumphing spell, supported by means of contributions from Ross Adair, Lorcan Tucker, and Matthew Humphreys, ensured Ireland started out the series in commanding style and laid the foundation for their eventual 2-0 series victory.
