The excitement around the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Warm Up Matches 2026 continues to grow as Match 15 and Match 16 are set to be played on February 6th. Cricket fans will witness two interesting encounters, with Italy facing the United Arab Emirates at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, while India A take on Namibia at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground, Bengaluru. These warm up games are crucial for teams to test combinations, build confidence, and gain momentum before the main tournament begins.
Match 15 Prediction: Italy vs United Arab Emirates
The Italy vs UAE T20 World Cup warm up match promises a competitive contest, but based on current form, Italy look slightly ahead going into this game.
Italy started their warm up campaign on a positive note with a 10-run win against Canada. They showed balance in both batting and bowling, which gives them confidence ahead of this clash. Italy’s batting unit played fearless cricket, and their bowlers held their nerve under pressure.
In the previous match, Italy posted 156 for 4 in 20 overs after batting first. The top order fired aggressively, with JJ Smuts leading the charge, scoring 49 runs off 37 balls in a fluent and controlled innings. Justin Mosca, Anthony Mosca, and Harry Manenti also chipped in with valuable contributions, ensuring Italy reached a competitive total.
While defending the target, Italy kept things tight. Canada’s openers started cautiously, but wickets at key moments slowed down the chase. Despite Nicholas Kirton’s 33 runs, Canada were restricted to 146 for 6, handing Italy a deserved win. Ben Manenti, Italy’s top wicket taker in the warm up matches so far, played his role well with disciplined bowling.
On the other hand, UAE are coming into this match after a loss to Nepal and will be eager to bounce back. UAE managed 145 for 6 while batting first in their last match, but their top order failed to deliver. Early wickets of Aryansh Sharma and Waseem Muhammad put them under pressure. Sohaib Khan (38) and Harshit Kaushik (35) helped UAE reach a respectable total, but it was not enough.
During the chase, Nepal comfortably won the match, thanks to brilliant knocks by Dipendra Singh Airee (50) and Aarif Sheikh (61 off 37 balls). UAE’s bowling struggled to control the middle overs, which remains a concern going into this match.
Based on current form, confidence levels, and overall team balance, Italy are predicted to win Match 15 against UAE, although UAE have the potential to surprise if their top order clicks.
Also read: Netherlands vs Pakistan Live Cricket Score: PAK Win by 3 Wickets T20 World Cup 2026
Italy vs United Arab Emirates – Squad List
| Italy | United Arab Emirates (UAE) |
|---|---|
| Wayne Madsen (c) | Muhammad Waseem (c) |
| Marcus Campopiano | Alishan Sharafu |
| Gian Piero Meade | Aryansh Sharma |
| Zain Ali | Dhruv Parashar |
| Ali Hasan | Haider Ali |
| Crishan Jorge Kalugamage | Harshit Kaushik |
| Harry Manenti | Junaid Siddique |
| Anthony Mosca | Mayank Kumar |
| Justin Mosca | Muhammad Arfan |
| Syed Naqvi | Muhammad Farooq |
| Benjamin Manenti | Muhammad Jawadullah |
| Jaspreet Singh | Muhammad Zohaib |
| JJ Smuts | Rohid Khan |
| Grant Stewart | Sohaib Khan |
| Thomas Draca | Simranjeet Singh |
Match 16 Prediction: India A vs Namibia
The India A vs Namibia warm up match is expected to be a high-scoring encounter, but India A are clear favourites to win this contest.
Namibia come into this match after a thrilling 6-run victory over Scotland. Their batting looked solid, especially at the top. Namibia posted a massive 226 for 4 in 20 overs, with Jan Frylinck scoring 88 runs and Louren Steenkamp adding 51 runs. Contributions from Gerhard Erasmus and JJ Smit further strengthened their total.
However, Namibia’s bowling was tested hard during the chase. Brandon McMullen’s explosive 95 off 39 balls nearly took the game away from them. Despite late pressure, Namibia managed to hold on and secure a narrow win. Max Heingo, their leading wicket taker so far, played an important role with timely breakthroughs.
India A, however, look even more dominant. They started their warm up campaign with a commanding 38-run win over USA. Batting first, India A smashed a huge 238 for 3 in 20 overs, showcasing their batting depth and power.
The standout performer was Narayan Jagadeesan, who scored a magnificent 104 runs off just 55 balls, hitting boundaries with ease. Tilak Varma (38) and Ayush Badoni (60 off 26 balls) added quick runs, putting USA under immense pressure.
While chasing, USA showed some fight through Andries Gous (44) and Sanjay Krishnamurthy (41), but India A’s bowlers stayed in control. Ravi Bishnoi, India A’s top wicket taker in the warm up matches, picked up crucial wickets and ensured USA fell short.
Considering their current form, strong batting lineup, and disciplined bowling attack, India A are predicted to win Match 16 against Namibia.
India A vs Namibia – Squad List
| India A | Namibia |
|---|---|
| Ayush Badoni (c) | Gerhard Erasmus (c) |
| Manav Suthar (vc) | Zane Green |
| Tilak Varma | Bernard Scholtz |
| Priyansh Arya | Ruben Trumpelmann |
| Riyan Parag | JJ Smit |
| Shubham Ranjane | Jan Frylinck |
| Ashutosh Sharma | Louren Steenkamp |
| Narayan Jagadeesan (wk) | Malan Kruger |
| Khaleel Ahmed | Nicol Loftie-Eaton |
| Ashok Sharma | Jack Brassell |
| Ravi Bishnoi | Ben Shikongo |
| JC Balt | |
| Dylan Leicher | |
| WP Myburgh | |
| Max Heingo | |
| Reserve: Alexander Volschenk |
Key Players to Watch in Warm Up Matches 2026
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Warm Up Matches 2026 have already seen some outstanding individual performances. Batters like Brandon McMullen, Narayan Jagadeesan, JJ Smuts, and Jan Frylinck have impressed with their aggressive stroke play. On the bowling front, players such as Ravi Bishnoi, Grant Stewart, Max Heingo, and Azmatullah Omarzai have made strong impacts with the ball.
Final Match Predictions Summary
For Match 15, Italy vs UAE, Italy appear more settled and confident, making them favourites to win. For Match 16, India A vs Namibia, India A’s powerful batting and quality bowling give them a clear edge.
These warm up matches are important not just for results, but also for team confidence and preparation ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Fans can expect exciting cricket, big scores, and key performances as teams fine-tune their strategies before the main event begins.