In a strategic move aimed at rejuvenating their T20I team, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has appointed Muhammad Waseem as the new T20I captain. Waseem will lead the UAE side in their upcoming home series against New Zealand, set to kick off tomorrow.
The Emirates Cricket Board unveiled a 16-man squad for the T20I series, with Waseem at the helm. The squad features a mix of experienced players and promising talents, including Vriitya Aravind, Aayan Afzal Khan, Basil Hameed, Ethan D’Souza, Faraazuddin, Jash Giyanani, Zahoor Khan, and Junaid Siddique.
One notable addition to the squad is Asif Khan, who recently garnered attention by scoring the fastest ODI century for an Associate nation. His impressive performance has earned him a spot in the T20I lineup against New Zealand. Additionally, all-rounder Faraazuddin and spin bowler Jash Giyanani have secured their maiden T20I call-ups after showcasing their skills in domestic cricket.
Muhammad Waseem takes over the captaincy from CP Rizwan, who has been leading the UAE T20I team since August 2022. Under Rizwan’s captaincy, the team played 11 T20Is, registering three wins and eight defeats. Despite securing a win against Namibia at the T20 World Cup, the decision was made to introduce a change in leadership to bolster the team’s performance.
At 23 years old, Waseem is no stranger to leadership responsibilities, having captained the UAE in 19 ODI matches earlier this year. His ODI captaincy record stands at six wins and 13 defeats, showcasing his potential to guide the team on the field.
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UAE squad for T20I series against New Zealand: Muhammad Waseem (captain), Ali Naseer, Ansh Tandon, Aryansh Sharma, Asif Khan, Aayan Afzal Khan, Basil Hameed, Ethan D’Souza, Faraazuddin, Jash Giyanani, Junaid Siddique, Lovepreet Singh, Mohammad Jawadullah, Sanchit Sharma, Vriitya Aravind and Zahoor Khan.
