Mark Adair Eyes T20 World Cup Glory as Ireland Prepares for Sri Lanka Opener

Ireland's pace spearhead Mark Adair has expressed confidence that the upcoming T20 internationals in Dubai will provide the perfect platform to fine-tune the squad ahead of the T20 World Cup. With the tournament opener against joint hosts Sri Lanka in Colombo looming on Sunday, 8 February, the 29-year-old believes these preparatory matches are essential for Ireland's campaign.

"It will give us the best opportunity to get everyone ready," Adair told BBC Sport NI from Dubai, emphasizing the importance of the warm-up fixtures in determining Ireland's strongest lineup.

Pre-Tournament Schedule: Italy and UAE Series

Ireland's road to the World Cup includes a packed schedule of five T20 internationals before the main event:

• Three T20Is against Italy: 23, 25, and 26 January
• Two T20Is against UAE: 29 and 31 January

These matches will serve a dual purpose: helping the coaching staff "find what our best 11 is or best 12" while allowing players to build match fitness and rhythm ahead of the global showpiece.

Adair Returns from Injury with Renewed Focus

The Holywood-born fast bowler made his comeback from a knee injury during Ireland's 2-1 T20 series defeat in Bangladesh in December 2024. He then joined the Gulf Giants in the ILT20 to round off the year, using the opportunity to regain his competitive edge.

"It's been nice to blow the cobwebs off," Adair admitted, now setting his sights firmly on World Cup success.

Closing in on 150 T20 wickets, Adair has set himself an ambitious target:

"If I could get to 160 at the World Cup that would be even nicer."

The experienced campaigner remains philosophical about cricket's unpredictable nature:

"Cricket is such a weird game where you can bowl the best you've ever bowled and end up with no wickets, but then not bowl very well and take wickets. I've been that guy because of other people, so I don't think the wickets tell a full story."

Ireland's Challenging World Cup Group

Ireland find themselves in a demanding group featuring some formidable opposition:

• Sri Lanka (Joint Hosts) – Opening match in Colombo
• Australia – One of cricket's powerhouses
• Zimbabwe – Familiar rivals with extensive history
• Oman – Emerging cricket nation

Adair offered a candid assessment of the draw:

"I don't think there are too many groups you would go, 'I wouldn't mind being in that one.' Being in a group with one of the big names in world cricket with Australia, and then the hosts Sri Lanka which I'm sure the first game for us against them in Colombo will be a great spectacle."

With the top two teams from each of the four groups advancing to the Super 8 phase, Ireland know qualification will require performances of the highest caliber.

"We want to qualify from this group, and to do that we have to take some scalps along the way, which would be nice," Adair declared.

Learning from 2024's Disappointment

The 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies proved a chastening experience for Ireland, with defeats to India, Pakistan, and Canada. Their match against the USA was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain.

Adair was forthright in his assessment:

"It wasn't great from an Ireland perspective, but we've had time since then to look at ourselves as players and move forward."

Family Affair: The Adair Brothers Reunite

Adding a personal dimension to Ireland's World Cup campaign, Mark's older brother Ross has recovered from his own knee injury and is expected to play a more prominent role this time around.

"That will be nice for mum and dad," Mark said warmly, acknowledging the family pride in seeing both brothers represent their country on the world stage.

Busier Schedule to Grow Irish Cricket

The increased fixture list marks a significant shift for Irish cricket. Last year, captain Paul Stirling cited the lack of cricket as a factor that left the team "underprepared" for their three-match series against England in Malahide.

A potential Test match against New Zealand at Stormont later in the year signals Ireland's growing stature in world cricket, and Adair believes this busier calendar gives Ireland "a better chance to grow the game."

Inspiring the Next Generation

Adair reflected on his own journey, revealing a touching connection to Ireland cricket's past and future.

"I grew up watching boys play at the World Cup like Gary Wilson. There is a photo of me running the covers on at Stormont at one of the Ireland-England games and I asked Gary Wilson for a photo, then 10 years later he's your T20 captain and 15 years later he's your batting coach. You never know who you are playing for and who you could potentially influence."

His message to aspiring cricketers is clear:

"If I was 20 years old now, I'd look at cricket as a serious chance to have a life in professional sport because there are so many opportunities to play. If Ireland keep moving forward, hopefully those opportunities will be even better for the guys coming behind us."

Looking Ahead: Ireland's T20 World Cup Prospects

With a refreshed squad, renewed focus after 2024's disappointment, and crucial warm-up matches on the horizon, Ireland enter the T20 World Cup with cautious optimism. The Dubai fixtures will provide invaluable preparation, while the challenge of facing Sri Lanka, Australia, Zimbabwe, and Oman will test the limits of Irish cricket's ambitions.

For Mark Adair and his teammates, the goal is clear: qualify from the group stage and announce Ireland as a force to be reckoned with in world cricket.