UAE gears up for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with Mohammad Wasim named captain and former Pakistan star Yasir Arafat added to the coaching staff as fast bowling coach. The February 7 opener in India and Sri Lanka heralds UAE’s third stab at glory.
Captain Wasim, seasoned from 66 captaincy stints, links with 2022 alumni Alishan Sharafu and Zunaid Siddiqui. Historical efforts in 2014 and 2022 faltered early, but qualification via Japan’s defeat in Oman’s Super Sixes signals progress.
Lalchand Rajput (ex-India) directs as head coach, Arafat—72 internationals for Pakistan, veteran mentor—bolsters pace attack from Ireland series onward, with Zimbabwean Stanley Chiyoja on fielding.
Group D fixtures: New Zealand (Feb 10), Canada (Feb 13, Delhi’s Arun Jaitley), Afghanistan (Feb 16), South Africa (Feb 18). Antecedents: Ireland T20s, warm-ups vs Nepal/Italy (Feb 3/6, Chennai).
Squad lineup: Mohammad Wasim (capt), Alishan Sharafu, Aryan Sharma (keeper), Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Harshit Kaushik, Zunaid Siddiqui, Mayank Kumar, Mohammad Arfan, Mohammad Farooq, Mohammad Jawadullah, Mohammad Zohaib, Rohid Khan, Sohail Khan, Simranjit Singh.
Arafat’s involvement injects proven expertise, pairing with Wasim’s command to forge a resilient UAE side ready to challenge elites and chase historic advancement.