The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has finalized its 15-member squad for the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, signaling a bold shift toward fresh talent. In a move that has sparked conversation among cricket fans, the selection committee has brought in all-rounder Dhruv Parashar and opening batter Mayank Kumar to bolster the lineup.
These changes come at the expense of veterans Basil Hameed and Rahul Chopra, who were dropped following disappointing performances in the recent series against Ireland. The decision underscores the management’s “perform or perish” mentality as they prepare for the world stage in India.
Key Veterans and Emerging Stars to Watch
Leading the charge is Muhammad Waseem, the UAE’s most decorated T20I player. With 92 appearances and the title of the nation’s leading run-scorer, Waseem carries the weight of expectations as captain. Alongside him, Alishan Sharafu and veteran pacer Junaid Siddique are the only other survivors from the 2022 World Cup roster. Siddique, the team’s leading wicket-taker, will be the linchpin of an attack that now includes the expertise of former Pakistan speedster Yasir Arafat as the fast-bowling coach.
The inclusion of 21-year-old Parashar is particularly exciting. Despite his youth, he has 32 T20Is under his belt and famously gave Pakistan a scare during last year’s T20 Asia Cup. Partnering at the top of the order is the 28-year-old Mayank Kumar, who earned his spot through consistent performances in the qualifiers and the Rising Stars T20 Asia Cup.
The Road Ahead: Group D and the Chennai-Delhi Schedule
The UAE faces a challenging path in Group D, where they are pooled with heavyweights South Africa, New Zealand, and Afghanistan, alongside a rising Canada side. To acclimate to Indian conditions, the squad will head to Chennai for two crucial warm-up matches against Nepal (February 3) and Italy (February 6).
The official campaign kicks off on February 10 in Chennai against a formidable New Zealand side. Following the opener, the team will move to Delhi for their remaining group fixtures. With a coaching staff that includes head coach Lalchand Rajput and fielding coach Stanley Chioza, the UAE is banking on a blend of tactical Indian expertise and raw local talent to pull off an upset on the world stage.
UAE Squad for T20 World Cup 2026: Muhammad Waseem (capt), 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.
