Will Waseem Guide UAE in the Men’s T20 World Cup?
Synopsis
As the excitement builds for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, UAE's cricket fans are eager to see if Muhammad Waseem can lead the team to new heights. With key matches ahead and a solid coaching staff, will the UAE shine on the global stage this year?
Key Takeaways
Muhammad Waseem leads the UAE squad in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The UAE has qualified for the tournament after a strong performance in the qualifiers.
Warm-up matches against Ireland , Nepal , and Italy precede the World Cup.
Group D matches include encounters with New Zealand and South Africa .
Support staff includes experienced coaches like Yasir Arafat .
New Delhi, Jan 30 (NationPress) The UAE’s prominent batter Muhammad Waseem will take the helm as captain of the 15-member team for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which is set to commence on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.
The UAE secured their position in the 20-team tournament by triumphing over Japan during the Super Six stage of the Asia & East Asia-Pacific Qualifier held in Oman last year. This marks the third appearance for the UAE in this prestigious event, having previously participated in 2014 and 2022, where they were eliminated in the group stage.
Prior to the World Cup, the UAE will engage in a two-match T20I series against Ireland, followed by warm-up matches against Nepal and Italy on February 3 and 6 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Their Group D journey kicks off against New Zealand on February 10, followed by matches against Canada (February 13), Afghanistan (February 16), and South Africa (February 18) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
The squad features three players from the UAE’s last T20 World Cup participation in Australia in 2022: Waseem, Alishan Sharafu, and Junaid Siddique. Waseem, who has captained the team for the last three years, has led the UAE in 66 out of his 92 international matches.
Supporting him is a coaching staff led by head coach and former Indian player Lalchand Rajput, with the addition of former Pakistani pacer Yasir Arafat as the fast bowling coach, and Stanley Chioza from Zimbabwe as the fielding coach.
Arafat, who played 27 international matches for Pakistan across all formats, has experience coaching various national teams and franchises. He will join the UAE squad during the Ireland series and the upcoming World Cup.
UAE squad: Muhammad Waseem (captain), Alishan Sharafu, Aryansh Sharma (wicketkeeper), 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.
Point of View
I can affirm that the UAE cricket team is at a pivotal point. With Muhammad Waseem at the helm and a capable coaching staff, the team's potential to make an impact in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is promising. Support from fans and the nation is essential as they navigate this crucial tournament.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the captain of the UAE team for the T20 World Cup?
The captain of the UAE team for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is Muhammad Waseem .
When does the T20 World Cup start?
The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup begins on February 7.
Who will the UAE face in their first match?
The UAE will face New Zealand in their opening match on February 10.
What significant changes are in the coaching staff?
Former Pakistan pacer Yasir Arafat has joined as fast bowling coach.
How many times has the UAE participated in the T20 World Cup?
The UAE has participated in the T20 World Cup three times: 2014, 2022, and now in 2026.
