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UAE Names Muhammad Waseem Captain for 2026 T20 World Cup Squad

The Emirates Cricket Board has announced the UAE's 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, with Muhammad Waseem continuing as captain. The team, coached by former India cricketer Lalchand Rajput, qualified by winning the Asia & EAP Qualifier in Oman. They are placed in a challenging Group D alongside New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, and Canada. The squad features a blend of experience, including three players from the 2022 tournament.

Key Points: UAE T20 World Cup 2026 Squad: Muhammad Waseem to Lead

  • Muhammad Waseem named captain
  • Squad announced for 20-team tournament
  • Drawn in tough Group D
  • Lalchand Rajput leads as head coach
2 min read

ICC T20 World Cup 2026: UAE announce 15-member squad, Muhammad Waseem to lead

The Emirates Cricket Board announces its 15-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, with Muhammad Waseem as captain and Lalchand Rajput as head coach.

"Waseem has remained the UAE's captain for the last three years. - Report"

Dubai, January 30

Muhammad Waseem has been named as the captain of the United Arab Emirates' cricket team for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, which is beginning next month.

On Friday, the Emirates Cricket Board announced a 15-member squad for the 20-team tournament for which they qualified following a victory over Japan in the Super Six stage of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia & East Asia-Pacific (EAP) Qualifier held in Oman last year, according to ICC.

Lalchand Rajput, who helped India clinch the trophy in the first-ever T20 World Cup in 2007, will lead the side as head coach, supported by former Pakistan international Yasir Arafat as fast bowling coach and Zimbabwe's Stanley Chioza serving as fielding coach for the tournament.

The UAE have previously participated in the T20 World Cup twice, finishing at the group stage in both 2014 and 2022.

Ahead of their World Cup campaign, they will face Ireland in a two-match T20I series and will play warm-up matches against Nepal on February 3 and Italy on February 6.

The team is drawn in Group D alongside Canada, Afghanistan, former champions New Zealand, and last year's finalists South Africa, with their tournament opener against New Zealand scheduled for February 10 in Chennai.

The squad will then travel to Delhi to play their remaining three Group D matches.

The UAE will face Canada on February 13 and Afghanistan on February 16. Their final Group D match is against South Africa, scheduled for February 18.

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eights stage will commence on February 21.

The UAE squad includes three players from the team that competed in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 (Australia), the UAE's last T20 World Cup appearance. In addition to Waseem, Alishan Sharafu and Junaid Siddique travelled to Australia.

Waseem has remained the UAE's captain for the last three years. In his 92-match career, the right-hander has led the side in 66 matches. The UAE squad includes a mix of experienced and emerging talents.

UAE Squad: Muhammad Waseem (c), Alishan Sharafu, Aryansh Sharma, Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Harshit Kaushik, Junaid Siddique, Mayank Kumar, Muhammad Arfan, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Zohaib, Rohid Khan, Sohaib Khan, and Simranjeet Singh.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting to see the coaching staff - an Indian, a Pakistani, and a Zimbabwean. Cricket truly is a global game now. Hope they put up a good fight in Chennai and Delhi.
A
Ananya R
Group D looks brutal for them. Facing Afghanistan's spin and South Africa's pace back-to-back is a huge challenge. But playing in Indian conditions might help the subcontinent players. All the best!
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Vikram M
Respectfully, I feel the squad announcement is getting less coverage than it should. Associate nations like UAE deserve more spotlight for qualifying. The IPL has many players from these regions, we should support their national teams too.
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Karthik V
Waseem is a solid captain. Saw him play in the Emirates League. Their warm-up against Nepal will be a good indicator of form. Hope the Chennai crowd gives them a warm welcome!
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Michael C
The schedule is intense! Matches every 2-3 days. Their depth will be tested. But having a coach who won the inaugural T20 WC is a big plus. Rajput knows what it takes.

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