United Arab Emirates Squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2026 — Full Team Preview, Players, & Strategy

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) cricket team has officially announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to begin on February 7, 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. This global tournament is the biggest event on the international T20 calendar, and for the UAE, it represents a major opportunity to shine on the world stage once again.

UAE will compete in Group D alongside New Zealand, Canada, Afghanistan, and South Africa — a challenging group that will test the team’s preparations, balance, and confidence.

UAE Squad List — Official Team (15 Players)

Here is the complete UAE squad named for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026:

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
Simranjeet Singh

This squad is carefully selected to balance experience and youth, and includes both established performers and exciting new talents.

Captain & Key Leader — Muhammad Waseem

At the heart of UAE’s World Cup hopes is Muhammad Waseem, the appointed captain for 2026. Waseem is one of the most experienced players in UAE cricket history, having captained the side in many T20 Internationals and leading by example with the bat.

Waseem’s leadership will be crucial, especially in high-pressure matches against strong opponents like South Africa and New Zealand. His calm presence at the crease, ability to score quickly, and tactical insight make him a dependable figure for the UAE team.

Experienced Players & Core Performers

Alishan Sharafu

Sharafu is one of the UAE’s most technically gifted batters and has been a regular performer across formats. His experience and ability to build innings will be key in stabilizing the middle order when UAE faces high-quality bowling attacks.

Junaid Siddique

A seasoned campaigner, Siddique is a leading wicket-taker for the UAE in T20 Internationals. His bowling experience will be vital in crucial phases of the game, especially when the team needs early breakthroughs or tight overs.

Mayank Kumar & Dhruv Parashar

Both Mayank and Parashar were recalled to the squad after recent performances and selection reshuffles, replacing other players ahead of the World Cup. They give the UAE more depth and flexibility in batting and bowling departments.

Batting Strength — Mix of Experience & Power

UAE’s batting lineup includes a mix of steady run-scorers and aggressive hitters:

Aryansh Sharma — The wicketkeeper-batter whose role will be critical in anchoring the innings and providing stability.
Haider Ali — A dynamic player capable of scoring quickly and changing the game’s momentum with his stroke-play.
Rohid Khan & Sohaib Khan — These top-order batters can adapt to different match situations, whether chasing targets or setting scores.
Simranjeet Singh — Adds depth to the batting lineup with his aggressive style that complements UAE’s shorter format approach.

This blend of batting talents will be crucial for UAE to post competitive totals or chase down targets in tough conditions. The team’s batting unit will need to be consistently strong against world-class bowling attacks to stay competitive.

Bowling Unit — Pace, Spin & All-Round Options

UAE’s bowling attack is varied and dynamic, built to adapt to different conditions:

Muhammad Jawadullah — A skilled bowler with left-arm pace who can trouble batsmen with variation and control.
Muhammad Arfan & Muhammad Farooq — Frontline pacers tasked with bowling early overs and maintaining pressure with tight lines.
Muhammad Zohaib — Provides spin options that are essential in subcontinental pitches where spin plays a dominant role.
Harshit Kaushik & Mayank Kumar — All-round talents who can contribute with both bat and ball, offering crucial balance.

This bowling lineup gives UAE flexibility — pace upfront, spin in the middle overs, and death bowling options to close out matches effectively.

Coaching & Support Staff

To guide these players, the UAE national team has assembled a world-class support staff:

Lalchand Rajput — Head Coach, known for his deep experience in international cricket coaching.
Yasir Arafat — Former Pakistan pacer now serving as fast bowling coach, bringing valuable expertise to the UAE bowling unit.
Stanley Chioza — Fielding coach focused on elevating team performance and athletic skills.

This mix of experienced coaches adds strategic depth and helps prepare the team for high-pressure World Cup matches.

World Cup Fixtures & Group Stage

UAE is set to play in Group D of the T20 World Cup 2026, featuring intense competition:

UAE vs New Zealand — February 10, 2026
UAE vs Canada — February 13, 2026
UAE vs Afghanistan — February 16, 2026
UAE vs South Africa — February 18, 2026

Before the tournament begins, UAE will also play warm-up matches against Nepal and Italy, plus a T20I series against Ireland, to fine-tune form and team cohesiveness.

UAE’s World Cup Strategy & Expectations

For the UAE, this World Cup represents not just participation, but progress. Having previously competed in the 2014 and 2022 editions — where they exited at the group stage — the team is now aiming to go further in 2026.

Team management emphasizes handling pressure, smart tactics, and flexible game plans to adapt to world-class opponents. With strong leadership under Muhammad Waseem and a balanced squad, UAE hopes to make deeper runs in the tournament.

Their success will depend on consistent batting partnerships, disciplined bowling, and clutch performances in key moments. If the team can find rhythm early, it will improve chances of moving beyond the group stage into the Super Eights and potentially the knockout rounds.

Conclusion

The UAE squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is a thoughtful blend of experience, youth, and tactical balance. Led by captain Muhammad Waseem, with a strong support staff and exciting talents across batting and bowling, the Emirates enter the tournament ready to challenge some of cricket’s best teams.