UAE vs Ireland – 2nd One-Day International Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is UAE vs Ireland taking place? Monday 18th January, 2021 – 05:30 (UK)
Where is UAE vs Ireland taking place? Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
What is the expected weather for UAE vs Ireland? 23c with sunshine
What channel is UAE vs Ireland on? The match will not be televised live in the UK
Where can I stream UAE vs Ireland? The match will not be streamed live in the UK
LAST MEETING
UAE beat Ireland by 6 wickets
THE TEAM NEWS
UAE
- UAE returned action not playing an ODI for over a year and they picked up a vital win over Ireland as after losing the toss and fielding first, they managed to chase down the tourists’ total of 269/5.
- Chundangapoyil Rizwan and Muhammad Usman hit centuries and shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 184 as they guided the hosts to victory and that will give them plenty of confidence coming into this second game.
- That win came after the Emirates Cricket Board announced they had two positive tests for COVID within their squad and those players are now isolating so there is every chance that they will go with the same team here.
IRELAND
- Ireland were disappointing in the opening ODI against the UAE and after losing by six wickets, they will expect to bounce back here and they will hope to improve their performance in all facets of the game.
- Paul Stirling was the undoubted star for them smashing an unbeaten 131 but the support ultimately did not prove good enough as they could only manage a total of 269/5 and that was after being 141/1 in the 28th over.
- They are unlikely to panic after that defeat and there is a fair chance they will go unchanged as they look to build the match fitness of their players and they will be hoping to score at a quick rate with the bat and take more wickets with the ball.
THE PREDICTION
UAE produced a superb run chase in the first ODI of this series to shock Ireland and the tourists will be highly motivated to bounce back in this second game in Abu Dhabi. There was not a great deal between the two teams in the first game and ultimately it came down to the hosts’ batting order clicking and working towards a target efficiently. Ireland may have been a little complacent in their batting thinking that total would be enough and they lacked urgency in their last 20 overs to score at a quicker rate. They will not make the same mistake here and with greater urgency in their play, they should be able to bounce back here and level the series.
