Is Muhammad Waseem Back as UAE Captain for T20Is Against Bangladesh?
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Synopsis
Muhammad Waseem's return as UAE's T20I captain ignites excitement ahead of the series against Bangladesh. With a fresh challenge on the horizon, Waseem aims to steer the team towards success after a tough spell in previous tournaments. Can he lead the UAE to victory against a formidable opponent?
Key Takeaways
- Muhammad Waseem returns as captain for the T20I series against Bangladesh.
- The series begins on May 17 and 19 in Sharjah.
- Waseem remains the leading T20I batter for the UAE.
- The UAE team aims to bounce back after a tough World Cup League 2 performance.
Dubai, May 15 (NationPress) Muhammad Waseem has been reinstated as the captain of the UAE T20I team for the upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh in Sharjah, which is set to kick off later this week.
Waseem had previously stepped down from this position in October last year after leading the team in 26 matches from 2023 to 2024, expressing a wish to concentrate on his ODI batting.
This series, scheduled for May 17 and 19, marks UAE's first T20I appearance since December, when they clinched the Gulf T20 Championship by defeating Kuwait in the final. The challenge will be significantly greater, with Bangladesh as the opponent, compared to the previous tournament featuring Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar.
After Waseem's resignation, wicketkeeper-batter Rahul Chopra took over the captaincy. Importantly, Waseem remains the UAE’s leading T20I batter and has accumulated more T20I runs than any other player globally since his debut in 2021. However, his recent performance has waned—he did not score a half-century in the ILT20, with his last fifty coming in December against Qatar. In ODIs, he has recorded just one half-century in the past two years.
The UAE enters the Bangladesh series following a challenging stint in the Cricket World Cup League 2 in the Netherlands, where they faced two losses each to the Netherlands and Scotland. Their sole victory came against Scotland, highlighted by Chopra's century and a four-wicket haul by left-arm spinner Simranjeet Singh.
UAE squad for the T20I series against Bangladesh: Muhammad Waseem (capt), Alishan Sharafu, Aryansh Sharma, Asif Khan, Dhruv Parashar, Ethan D'Souza, Haider Ali, Matiullah Khan, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Zohaib, Muhammad Zuhaib, Rahul Chopra (wk), Saghir Khan, Sanchit Sharma, Simranjeet Singh.
Point of View
My perspective aligns with our national pride in cricket. Muhammad Waseem's reinstatement as captain reflects the trust in his leadership during challenging times. The upcoming series against Bangladesh offers a chance for redemption and showcases the UAE's cricketing talent on an international stage. We continue to support our team in their pursuit of excellence.
NationPress
08/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the captain of the UAE T20I team?
Muhammad Waseem has been reinstated as the captain of the UAE T20I team.
When will the UAE play against Bangladesh?
The UAE will face Bangladesh in a two-match T20I series scheduled for May 17 and 19.
What is the significance of this series for the UAE?
This series marks UAE's first T20I appearance since December and poses a greater challenge with Bangladesh as their opponent.
How has Waseem performed recently?
Waseem's recent form has dipped, failing to score a half-century in the ILT20, with his last fifty recorded in December against Qatar.
What is the UAE's performance in the World Cup League 2?
UAE faced challenges in the Cricket World Cup League 2, suffering two losses to both the Netherlands and Scotland, with only one victory against Scotland.
