Ex Pakistan player who once challenged Dhoni to visit India as bowling coach of THIS team, name is…, the team is…
The UAE have bolstered their backroom setup ahead of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup by bringing former Pakistan pacer Yasir Arafat into their support staff. The appointment was confirmed as the Emirates announced their squad for the 20-team tournament, with experienced batter Muhammad Waseem named captain.
Muhammad Waseem to lead UAE once again
Veteran opener Waseem will shoulder leadership duties as the UAE aim to make a stronger impression on the global stage. The T20 World Cup begins on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka, and for the UAE, it’s another opportunity to grow their presence among elite and emerging cricket nations.
The memories of the 2022 T20 World Cup are still fresh, where the UAE managed just one win in the group stage. This time around, the focus is clearly on preparation, experience, and smarter execution.
Yasir Arafat brings International Coaching Pedigree
Arafat’s inclusion is a significant boost. The 43-year-old represented Pakistan at the international level before carving out a long county career in England. Since transitioning fully into coaching, he has built an impressive resume.
He completed a Level 4 coaching programme with the England and Wales Cricket Board, served as Pakistan’s high performance coach, and worked as a bowling consultant with South Africa as recently as last year. That depth of experience could prove invaluable for an associate side looking to compete against top-tier opposition.
Arafat is already hands-on with the squad, working with them during the ongoing two-match T20 series against Ireland, and will stay on through the World Cup campaign.
Tough group awaits UAE
The UAE have been placed in Group D, alongside Afghanistan, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa, a challenging mix of established powerhouses and competitive associate teams.
Before the tournament gets underway, the team will play two warm-up matches in Chennai, facing Nepal and Italy, offering crucial match practice in subcontinental conditions.
Familiar faces return from 2022 squad
While there’s a fresh look to the squad, a few familiar names remain. Along with captain Waseem, Alishan Sharafu and Junaid Siddique are the three players retained from the UAE’s 2022 T20 World Cup campaign in Australia.
With experienced leadership, a strengthened coaching setup, and exposure to high-quality opposition, the UAE will be hoping this World Cup marks a step forward in their journey on the international stage.
UAE team for T20 World Cup: Muhammad Waseem (captain), 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 and Simranjeet Singh