Pakistan Faces Ireland Amid Controversy in 2026 World Cup Warm-Up
Pakistan is gearing up to face Ireland in a crucial warm-up match for the T20 World Cup 2026. This encounter marks Pakistan’s only practice game before the tournament begins. Amid ongoing controversies surrounding their participation, the team is expected to field a competitive squad against a resurgent Irish side.
Controversies Surrounding the Match
Pakistan’s cricketing landscape has been clouded by uncertainty regarding a proposed boycott of their upcoming group-stage match against India, scheduled for February 15. Initially, Pakistan threatened to withdraw from the entire tournament, prompting intervention from government authorities. They clarified that the team would only abstain from the specific match against India. As of now, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has yet to formally communicate this decision to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Live Streaming Details
The warm-up match between Pakistan and Ireland will not be broadcast on television. Fans can catch the live action through streaming platforms:
- JioStar App
- SportsTV on YouTube
Squads for the Warm-Up Match
Ireland Squad
- Paul Stirling (c)
- Ross Adair
- Harry Tector
- Lorcan Tucker (w)
- Curtis Campher
- Benjamin Calitz
- Gareth Delany
- George Dockrell
- Mark Adair
- Barry McCarthy
- Matthew Humphreys
- Tim Tector
- Joshua Little
- Benjamin White
- Craig Young
Pakistan Squad
- Fakhar Zaman
- Saim Ayub
- Babar Azam
- Salman Agha (c)
- Khawaja Nafay (w)
- Shadab Khan
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Faheem Ashraf
- Shaheen Afridi
- Naseem Shah
- Abrar Ahmed
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Usman Khan
- Salman Mirza
- Usman Tariq
Weather and Pitch Conditions
The match will take place at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Sri Lanka. The pitch is expected to provide a balanced contest between bat and ball, favoring bowlers early on. Quick bowlers like Shaheen Afridi and Josh Little might find assistance in the initial overs. As the match progresses, the surface typically becomes slower, enhancing the effectiveness of spinners.
A competitive total in these conditions typically ranges between 165 and 175 runs. Batters will need to acclimatize before seeking to leverage the larger boundaries.
Head-to-Head Record
Historically, Pakistan has an edge over Ireland, winning six out of eight meetings. However, Ireland’s recent performance has shown they are closing the gap. In their last encounter, Ireland achieved a notable victory in May 2024. This evolution of the Irish side adds a compelling narrative to their upcoming clash.
Fans can look forward to an exciting contest as Pakistan aims to secure a definitive win in preparation for the T20 World Cup 2026.
