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DUBLIN and ROME – Cricket Ireland and the Italian Cricket Federation have today jointly announced a three-match bilateral T20 International series between the two countries that will be played in Dubai in late January 2026 – the series forms part of both squads’ preparations ahead of their respective participation in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The series details are as follows:
- 23 January 2026: Ireland Men v Italy Men – 1st T20I (Sevens Stadium, Dubai; starts 10am)
- 25 January 2026: Ireland Men v Italy Men – 2nd T20I (Sevens Stadium, Dubai; starts 10am)
- 26 January 2026: Ireland Men v Italy Men – 3rd T20I (Sevens Stadium, Dubai; starts 6pm)
Head-to-head
- The two teams have only ever played one T20I against each other – being in 2023 in Edinburgh as part of the qualifier event for the 2024 T20 World Cup (Ireland won by 7 runs).
- The sides had also played a Twenty20 match against each other in Abu Dhabi back in 2012, which Ireland won by 2 wickets.
Full Prep Camp for Ireland
Following last week’s announcement of the two fixtures against the UAE, the full preparation period for Ireland Men immediately ahead of the T20 World Cup is:
- 23 January 2026: Ireland Men v Italy Men – 1st T20I (Sevens Stadium, Dubai; starts 10am)
- 25 January 2026: Ireland Men v Italy Men – 2nd T20I (Sevens Stadium, Dubai; starts 10am)
- 26 January 2026: Ireland Men v Italy Men – 3rd T20I (Sevens Stadium, Dubai; starts 6pm)
- 29 January 2025: Ireland Men v UAE Men – 1st T20I (Dubai International Stadium; starts 6pm)
- 31 January 2025: Ireland Men v UAE Men – 2nd T20I (Dubai International Stadium; starts 10am)
After completing their preparations in Dubai:
- Ireland Men will then travel to Sri Lanka where they will play Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Oman as part of Group B in the T20 World Cup
- Italy Men will travel to India where they will play England, West Indies, Bangladesh and Nepal as part of Group C in the T20 World Cup
- UAE Men will travel to India where they will play South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan and Canada as part of Group D in the T20 World Cup.
Richard Holdsworth, Director of Cricket at Cricket Ireland, said:
“We’re delighted that the Italian Cricket Federation has agreed to this series in Dubai. It is important that our squad plays some competitive cricket ahead of the T20 World Cup and these three matches will be ideal for us as we acclimatise to hot conditions, having come straight from the Irish winter.
“The Italians did very well to beat Scotland and qualify for their first-ever world cup, and we expect this series to be a hard-fought affair.
“Our thanks to The Sevens Stadium for their support in hosting this series.”
President of the Federazione Cricket Italiana, Maria Lorena Haz Paz, said:
“From the moment that Italy Men defeated Scotland then went on to progress through the World Cup Qualifier for the first time in our history, we have turned our attention to creating the best possible preparation programme for our players ahead of the tournament in February.
“We were extremely pleased that Cricket Ireland was so amenable to working with us on pulling together this series – a series in itself will be historic given it will be our first three-match bilateral series against a Full Member of the ICC.
“We look forward to the fixtures as we create history and, we hope, raise the profile and support for our cricket team across Italy – and maybe even win a few fans around the world.”
