UAE look to turn promise into progress at the World Cup

Despite possessing world-class facilities and hosting a top-tier franchise league, the UAE's on-field performances have not always matched their resources. They are a team still seeking consistency, capable of punching above their weight but also prone to squandering opportunities.

Qualifying as the final team for the tournament, the UAE arrive with quiet confidence. They hold 11 T20I wins against full-member nations, tied with Namibia for the most by an Associate side. In familiar conditions, blending consistency with flair will be key to their success.

The squad

Muhammad Waseem (c), Alishan Sharafu, Aryansh Sharma (wk), Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Harshit Kaushik, Junaid Siddique, Mayank Kumar, Muhammad Arfan, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Zohaib, Rohid Khan, Sohaib Khan, Simranjeet Singh.

Only Muhammad Waseem, Alishan Sharafu, and Junaid Siddique remain from the 2022 T20 World Cup squad, highlighting a group relatively thin on international experience. However, the core has shown stability.

Aryansh Sharma will open with captain Waseem, pushing the in-form Sharafu down the order to bolster the middle. Dhruv Parashar provides balance with his batting and off-spin. Junaid Siddique will lead the pace attack with Muhammad Arfan and Muhammad Jawadullah.

The middle-order remains a concern, relying heavily on Sharafu. The bowling unit must maintain discipline.

Road to the World Cup

The UAE secured the 20th and final spot by beating Japan in a must-win qualifier last October. Recent form has been mixed: a winless Asia Cup Rising Stars campaign and two home T20I losses to Ireland. However, they previously ran Afghanistan close in a Tri-Series, nearly beat Pakistan in the Asia Cup, and secured a 2-1 series win over Bangladesh. Their win percentage of 60.97% since the last T20 World Cup suggests recent struggles may be a bumpy patch rather than a decline.

Recent Form & Strategy

Last five T20Is: W-W-L-L-L (most recent).

The top-order is crucial for a strong PowerPlay start. The new opening pair of Waseem and Aryansh Sharma will be tested, while moving Sharafu down aims to revive the middle-order. The lower order has provided consistent runs, with a scoring rate of 9.11 in the death overs (compared to 7.07 in overs 7-15) since the last World Cup.

Junaid Siddique is a proven wicket-taker with the new ball. Spinners will aim for control through the middle overs, with pacers relying on variations at the death.

Key Match-Winner

Captain Muhammad Waseem is the team's most destructive batter. With a career T20I strike rate over 150 and ranking second only to Rohit Sharma in six-hitting, a quickfire start from him can decisively swing a match.

Schedule & Conditions

The UAE's schedule offers a rare advantage: after opening in Chennai, they play three consecutive games in Delhi, allowing them to settle into familiar conditions. The flat pitches and short boundaries in Delhi will favor power-hitters like Waseem and Sharafu, though their bowlers face a stern test.

On paper, Canada appears the most winnable game, though their firepower on a high-scoring ground poses a risk. A loss there could derail the campaign.

World Cup Expectations

With only one win across two previous T20 World Cups, the immediate goal is to at least double that tally. A win against Canada, followed by a potential upset over Afghanistan—a team they have recently challenged—could set the stage. Matches against New Zealand and South Africa will be their toughest tests. With strong performances, a bit of luck, and zeal, reaching the Super 8s is a realistic target that would mark significant progress.