UAE Cricket finally confirmed their 15-player lineup for the tournament. Muhammad Waseem captains the side as their star batter. The UAE squad for T20 World Cup 2026 looks ready for the challenge ahead.
The tournament runs from February 7 to March 8 this year. India and Sri Lanka share hosting duties across eight venues. They earned their spot by beating Japan in the qualifiers last year.
Experienced Captain Leads
Muhammad Waseem has captained for three years straight now. He’s led the team in 66 out of his 92 international matches. That’s massive captaincy experience at just the international level alone.
Three players return from the 2022 T20 World Cup squad in Australia. Waseem, Alishan Sharafu, and Junaid Siddique bring that tournament know-how. Their experience helps younger players handle World Cup pressure better.
The list mixes proven performers with exciting young talent carefully. They exited the group stages in both previous World Cup appearances. Breaking that pattern becomes the burning motivation this time around.
UAE Squad Announcement for the T20 World Cup 2026:
Muhammad Waseem (c), Alishan Sharafu, Aryansh Sharma, Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Harshit Kaushik, Junaid Siddique, Mayank Kumar, Muhammad Arfan, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Zohaib, Rohid Khan, Sohaib Khan, Simranjeet Singh
Yasir Arafat Joins Coaching Setup
Former Pakistan pacer Yasir Arafat arrives as fast bowling coach. He played 27 international matches for Pakistan across all formats. His coaching experience spans multiple national teams and franchise cricket.
Arafat has travelled with the UAE squad for the Ireland series. He’ll stay through the entire T20 World Cup 2026 campaign too. Having ex-international bowlers coaching pacers makes a huge difference in development.
Lalchand Rajput heads the main coaching staff as head coach. The former India player brings international cricket knowledge to training. Stanley Chioza from Zimbabwe handles fielding coaching duties specifically.
Preparation Matches Scheduled
They play two T20Is against Ireland before the World Cup. Those matches serve as final preparation for the big tournament. Warm-up games against Nepal happen on February 3 in Chennai.
Italy provides the second warm-up opponent on February 6 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. These practice matches help finalise team combinations and strategies. The T20 World Cup 2026 needs teams to arrive fully prepared at all times.
Key Players to Watch
1. Muhammad Waseem (Captain)
The heart of the UAE batting lineup, Waseem has been one of the most consistent performers in Associate cricket. Known for his aggressive intent at the top of the order, he recently bagged the “Best UAE Player” award at the ILT20 for the fourth consecutive year. His ability to provide explosive starts will be crucial if the UAE hopes to post competitive totals against heavyweights like South Africa and New Zealand.
2. Junaid Siddique
Leading the pace attack, Junaid Siddique brings much-needed experience and speed. Having played in the 2022 World Cup in Australia, he understands the pressure of the global stage. His ability to swing the new ball and execute yorkers in the death overs makes him a vital asset for head coach Lalchand Rajput.
3. Alishan Sharafu
The 23-year-old top-order batter has evolved into a reliable anchor for the team. Sharafu is one of the few survivors from the 2022 squad and has shown great maturity in reading match situations. His role will be to steady the innings and allow the big hitters to play freely around him.
4. Muhammad Jawadullah
The left-arm pacer has gained significant confidence from his recent stints in franchise cricket. His unique angle and variations provide a different dimension to the UAE’s bowling unit. In the spin-friendly conditions of India, his cutters and discipline could prove to be a “middle-overs” weapon.
UAE Group Stage Schedule (Group D)
The UAE is placed in Group D, which is widely considered one of the most competitive groups of the tournament. They will play their opening match in Chennai before moving to Delhi for the remainder of their group fixtures.
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Time (IST) |
| February 10, 2026 | New Zealand | M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | 3:00 PM |
| February 13, 2026 | Canada | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | 3:00 PM |
| February 16, 2026 | Afghanistan | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | 11:00 AM |
| February 18, 2026 | South Africa | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | 11:00 AM |
The Players list must perform beyond expectations to advance from this group. Upsets happen in T20 cricket when underdogs play fearlessly. Their cricket deserves recognition for their consistent World Cup qualifications recently.
