UAE Prepares for T20 Showdown
On August 27, 2025, the United Arab Emirates Cricket Board revealed its 15-member T20I squad for the upcoming tri-series vs Pakistan and Afghanistan. Muhammad Waseem will lead the team as captain. This series, beginning August 29 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, also doubles as a warm-up for the Asia Cup 2025, which kicks off in the UAE on September 9.
What’s in the Lineup
The squad brings in four new names — Harshit Kaushik, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, and Muhammad Jawadullah — while Akif Raja, Matiullah Khan, and Zuhaib Zubair miss out this time.
Captain Muhammad Waseem leads the side, joined by wicket-keepers Aryansh Sharma and Rahul Chopra. Alishan Sharafu strengthens the batting, with Muhammad Zohaib and Saghir Khan covering the all-rounder spots. Rounding off the squad are Asif Khan, Dhruv Parashar, Ethan D’Souza, Haider Ali, and Rohid Khan.
Former India opener Lalchand Rajput will coach the team.
Series Schedule (Sharjah)
  • Aug 29: Afghanistan vs Pakistan
  • Aug 30: UAE vs Pakistan
  • Sep 1: UAE vs Afghanistan
  • Sep 2: Afghanistan vs Pakistan
  • Sep 4: UAE vs Pakistan
  • Sep 5: UAE vs Afghanistan
  • Sep 7: Final
This setup gives teams a perfect run-up to the Asia Cup, starting just two days later.
Why It Matters
For the UAE, this isn’t just another series — it’s their chance to see how the squad holds up against two world-class teams before the Asia Cup. These games in Sharjah will give the players real match pressure, a chance to build confidence, and the perfect opportunity to fix any gaps before the big stage kicks off.
TL;DR Snapshot
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Series Start | Aug 29, Sharjah |
| Format | Tri-nation T20I series |
| UAE Captain | Muhammad Waseem |
| New Faces | Harshit Kaushik, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah |
| Head Coach | Lalchand Rajput |
| Purpose | Final preparation before Asia Cup 2025 |
