The UAE cricket team has unveiled its leadership for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with Mohammad Wasim taking the reins as captain. Set to unfold from February 7 in India and Sri Lanka, the event sets the stage for UAE’s most ambitious campaign yet.
A proven leader with prior captaincy in 66 internationals, Wasim joins forces with 2022 World Cup veterans Alishan Sharafu and Zunaid Siddiqui. The trio forms the core of a squad hungry for progression beyond the group stages, a hurdle they’ve cleared neither in 2014 nor 2022.
Backing this unit is a world-class coaching panel. Lalchand Rajput, ex-India player, leads as head coach. Joining him is Yasir Arafat, the former Pakistan fast bowler with 72 caps, now fast bowling coach. His expertise spans national teams and T20 leagues, and he’ll be pivotal from the Ireland tour through the World Cup. Stanley Chiyoja from Zimbabwe handles fielding duties.
Qualification came via a gritty win over Japan in Oman’s Super Sixes last year, securing UAE’s third consecutive World Cup berth.
Group D pits them against heavyweights: opener versus New Zealand on February 10, then Canada (February 13, New Delhi), Afghanistan (February 16), and South Africa (February 18). Building momentum, UAE faces Ireland in a T20 series, then warm-up games against Nepal and Italy in Chennai on February 3 and 6.
Squad details: Mohammad Wasim (captain), Alishan Sharafu, Aryan Sharma (wicketkeeper), Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Harshit Kaushik, Zunaid Siddiqui, Mayank Kumar, Mohammad Arfan, Mohammad Farooq, Mohammad Jawadullah, Mohammad Zohaib, Rohid Khan, Sohail Khan, Simranjit Singh.
As the countdown begins, UAE’s blend of leadership, coaching firepower, and tactical nous could spark a surprise run, rewriting their World Cup narrative.