The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be led by veteran opener Mohammad Wasim in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with the Emirates Cricket Board announcing a 15-member squad for the tournament.
The team will depart for India from Dubai on January 30, with their World Cup campaign set to begin on February 1.
The UAE have been drawn in Group D of the 20-team competition, alongside Afghanistan, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa.
As part of their preparations, the UAE will play two warm-up matches in Chennai, facing Nepal on February 3 and Italy on February 6.
The team will open its tournament against New Zealand in Chennai on February 10 before travelling to Delhi for the remainder of its group-stage fixtures.
In Delhi, the UAE will take on Canada on February 13, Afghanistan on February 16, and South Africa on February 18. The Super Eight stage of the tournament is scheduled to begin on February 21.
The squad features three players who also represented the UAE at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022: captain Mohammad Wasim, Ali Shan Sharfoo, and Junaid Siddique. Wasim has captained the national side for the past three years and has led the team in 66 of his 92 international appearances.
Meanwhile, former Pakistan fast bowler Yasir Arafat has been appointed as the UAE’s fast bowling coach. Arafat, who played 27 international matches for Pakistan, brings extensive coaching experience with various national teams and global franchises.
He will work with the UAE squad during the World Cup and in the two-match T20 series against Ireland preceding the tournament, with the second match to be played at the Dubai International Stadium.
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