Ireland vs Italy, IRE vs ITA 2026, Today Match Prediction

IRE vs ITA Match Prediction & Analysis

It is the second game of the two-match series, and Italy will fight hard to level the series. We had a low-scoring contest in the first game, where Ireland won by 3 wickets. The Irish team will have to address several problems despite winning the last game, especially with the bat. The Italians had a few positives in the last game and will look to build on them to win this contest.

Ireland has won both games against Italy, including the last one. They have a stronger batting lineup with good hitters. The bowling attack is also more experienced, and the team will look to use its strengths and win here. The Italians will look to address their batting weaknesses ahead of the T20 World Cup. A lot is riding for both teams in this game, and we expect a good contest.

RECENT PERFORMANCE

IRE

W L L W L

IRE

119/7 in 19.3 6.1

IRE vs ITA 2026

Ireland beat Italy by 3 wickets

23 Jan 2026

ITA

118/10 in 18.1 6.5

BAN

119/2 in 13.4 8.71

BAN vs IRE 2025

Bangladesh beat Ireland by 8 wickets 02 Dec 2025

IRE

117/10 in 19.5 5.9

BAN

174/6 in 19.4 8.85

BAN vs IRE 2025

Bangladesh beat Ireland by 4 wickets 29 Nov 2025

IRE

170/6 in 20.0 8.5

BAN

142/9 in 20.0 7.1

BAN vs IRE 2025

Ireland beat Bangladesh by 39 runs 27 Nov 2025

IRE

181/4 in 20.0 9.05

IRE

154/8 in 20.0 7.7

IRE vs ENG 2025

England won by 6 wickets

21 Sep 2025

ENG

155/4 in 17.1 9.03

ITA

L

IRE

119/7 in 19.3 6.1

IRE vs ITA 2026

Ireland beat Italy by 3 wickets

23 Jan 2026

ITA

118/10 in 18.1 6.5

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

Ireland Preview

Paul Stirling and his men have taken a 1-0 lead in the series, but the result in the last game masks the team's struggles in the run chase. They lost wickets in quick succession in the middle order. Stirling would look to lead from the front in this game and take his team to a comprehensive win.  

Paul Stirling didn't score in the last game, and he must deliver a strong start at the top with Ross Adair. Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker must play more aggressively in the middle order and add runs with Benjamin Calitz. The lower middle order struggled in the last game, and the team expects a better show from George Dockrell and Gareth Delany.  

Matthew Humphreys picked up 4 wickets in the last game, and he will look to strike early in the game with Mark Adair. Barry McCarthy and Gareth Delany troubled the batters in the middle overs, and the team needs a strong show from them. Joshua Little struggled, but he will look to use his experience and do well with George Dockrell. 

Ireland Predicted Playing XI:

Paul Stirling (c), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Benjamin Calitz, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys, Joshua Little

Ireland Actual Playing XI:

Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphreys, Lorcan Tucker, Mark Adair, Joshua Little, Barry McCarthy, Ross Adair, Benjamin Calitz, Harry Tector, Paul Stirling

Italy Preview

JJ Smuts and his men would look to make a comeback after the last game's defeat. However, Smuts will draw a few positives out of the last game. Despite a poor show with the bat, they gave the Irish team a scare with a strong show with the ball. The Italian skipper would like a better show from his batsmen in this game.  

Anthony Mosca batted well in the last game, and he must deliver a strong start with Justin Mosca. JJ Smuts and Wayne Madsen are the two most experienced batters in the team, and they must do well in the middle order with Harry Manenti. The team needs Marcus Campopiano, Gian Meade, and Grant Stewart to deliver a strong show in the lower middle order.  

The bowling attack will be confident after a strong show in the last game. Grant Stewart and JJ Smuts performed well in the last game, and the team expects the pair to strike early again. Thomas Draca and Crishan Kalugamage will look to keep the pressure up in the middle overs. The side needs a good showing from Harry Manenti and Jaspreet Singh in the supporting roles.

Italy Predicted Playing XI:

JJ Smuts (c), Justin Mosca, Anthony Mosca, Wayne Madsen, Harry Manenti, Marcus Campopiano (wk), Grant Stewart, Jaspreet Singh, Crishan Kalugamage, Thomas Draca, Gian Meade

Italy Actual Playing XI:

JJ Smuts, Wayne Madsen, Grant Stewart, Gian Meade, Jaspreet Singh, Harry Manenti, Crishan Kalugamage, Marcus Campopiano, Justin Mosca, Anthony Mosca, Thomas Jack Draca

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

We will have clear skies over Dubai. The wicket will be flat but slow, which will create a few doubts in the minds of the batters. There won't be much for the fast bowlers on this wicket, and they must use their variations to do well. The average first-innings score in the last three games is over 160 runs, and the team batting first needs 180 on the board to feel confident.

IRE vs ITA Pitch Report

The Sevens Stadium in Dubai is a high-scoring venue, and the outfield is very quick. Fast bowlers have always struggled here, as there isn't much for them on the surface. Spinners have enjoyed a good record as the ball turns sharply and tends to stop on the batsmen.

Toss: To Bowl

The wicket we saw in the last game was difficult to bat on, and we expect similar conditions in this game. The wicket will be slow, and most teams prefer to chase totals at such venues. The team winning the toss would opt to bowl first.