NewKerala.com

UAE Sends Batter Home Before T20 WC Clash, Captain Vows Fight

The Emirates Cricket Board has sent batter Muhammad Zohaib home for disciplinary reasons on the eve of the UAE's T20 World Cup match against New Zealand. This puts pressure on a batting lineup recently dismissed for 81 runs. Captain Muhammad Waseem has confirmed 21-year-old Aryansh Sharma will open the innings in Zohaib's absence. Waseem expressed confidence, citing a previous T20I victory over New Zealand and stating the team has prepared "like a champion team."

Key Points: UAE Sends Zohaib Home for Discipline Before T20 WC Match

  • Zohaib sent home for discipline
  • UAE face New Zealand in Chennai
  • Aryansh Sharma to open
  • UAE beat NZ in 2023 T20I
  • Squad has diverse origins
2 min read

T20 WC: Emirates Cricket Board sends Muhammad Zohaib home for disciplinary reasons

UAE sends batter Muhammad Zohaib home for disciplinary reasons ahead of T20 World Cup clash vs New Zealand. Captain Waseem outlines team's plan.

"We work very well, and we have prepared ourselves like a champion team. - Muhammad Waseem"

New Delhi, February 9

A day before UAE's ICC Men's T20 World Cup fixture against New Zealand, Emirates Cricket Board have sent batter Muhammad Zohaib back home for "disciplinary reasons".

UAE are set to face New Zealand in Chennai for their first World Cup game since 2022 on Tuesday, as ESPNcricinfo reported.

The UAE's top-order batter loss puts pressure on their lineup, which was recently bowled out for 81 against Italy on Friday. Zohaib, who batted at No. 9 in that game, had previously scored 19 off 26 balls at No. 3 against Nepal.

The team has settled on 21-year-old Aryansh Sharma to partner with captain Muhammad Waseem at the top. Zohaib made his debut for UAE in May 2025. He's played 16 T20Is and scored 303 runs at an average of 20.20 and a strike rate of 103.76.

UAE captain Muhammad Waseem, ahead of this side's T20 WC clash against New Zealand, highlighted his team's unity and preparation, emphasising their diverse squad, which includes players of Indian and Pakistani origin.

Waseem said the team would draw confidence from their previous T20I win over New Zealand in Dubai (2023), showcasing their potential.

"Our strategy is very simple. We beat them before in UAE but this time it's a different venue, different tournament, different ground, and different game also. So we came with another plan right now. So yes, they are a good team and have experience also. But we work very well, and we have prepared ourselves like a champion team. We will try to play good cricket against them tomorrow," Waseem said.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a cricket fan in Chennai, I feel for the UAE team. Losing a player disrupts the balance. But Waseem's confidence is infectious! That win over NZ in 2023 shows they can pull off an upset. All the best to them.
A
Ananya R
Tough on the young player, but rules are rules. His stats weren't great anyway – average of 20 and SR of 103 in T20s is quite low. Maybe this opens the door for someone hungrier. Aryansh Sharma has a big opportunity!
V
Vikram M
Respectfully, I think the board could have handled this better. Sending him home a day before the match creates more drama and distraction. Couldn't they have suspended him internally for this game first? The timing is poor.
K
Karthik V
Captain Waseem is speaking like a true leader! Focusing on unity and their past win. The UAE team has many players we know from Indian domestic circuits. Will be cheering for them (after India, of course! 😄).
M
Michael C
Interesting to see the diverse squad dynamic with Indian and Pakistani origin players. Cricket truly is a unifying force. Hope they put up a good fight against New Zealand. The underdog story is always fun to watch.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50