ASIA CUP 2025
Muhammad Waseem, the biggest name on UAE’s roster, will be key to his team in Asia Cup 2025 © Getty
It’s been almost a decade since the United Arab Emirates last featured in the Asia Cup. In the 2016 edition, they had managed to qualify for the tournament ahead of Afghanistan but ended up losing all four games against the usual suspects. But nine years later, one of those four opponents got toppled in a bilateral series by UAE. Earlier this year, Bangladesh arrived in Sharjah and were stunned 2-1 by the home side with UAE even managing to hunt down a 200-plus target in one of those games.
That win against a much-fancied opponent despite trailing early in the series gave UAE a lot of confidence heading into the recently-concluded tri-series in which they again made an impression despite not winning a single game. UAE constantly threatened both Pakistan and Afghanistan but failed to seize vital moments that would have taken them over the line. However, these performances coupled with the fact that they will be on home turf will hold them in good stead.
On the flip side though, they have been grouped alongside two teams that are usually tipped to go all the way in this competition. While they will fancy their chances against familiar foes Oman, that fixture is sandwiched between the matches against India and Pakistan. That first fixture against India is going to be their biggest test and they would hope the track isn’t a belter to begin with. Even if not a win, avoiding a heavy defeat against the defending champions, followed by a win over Oman will keep UAE in the hunt for a Super Four spot for the first time in the Asia Cup when they head into the final group stage game against Pakistan, a fixture where recent familiarity will come into play.
Squad: Muhammad Waseem (c), Alishan Sharafu, Aryansh Sharma (wk), Asif Khan, Dhruv Parashar, Ethan D’Souza, Haider Ali, Harshit Kaushik, Junaid Siddique, Matiullah Khan, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Zohaib, Rahul Chopra (wk), Muhammad Rohid, Simranjeet Singh and Saghir Khan
Probable XI: Muhammad Waseem (c), Alishan Sharafu, Muhammad Zohaib, Rahul Chopra, Asif Khan, Harshit Kaushik, Haider Ali, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Rohid, Junaid Siddique, Simranjeet Singh
The batting will heavily revolve around their openers to give them a solid base. But UAE need their middle order to chip in as well. Asif Khan has proved to be quite handy lower down the order with his belligerent hitting. In the first game of the tri-series recently, he smashed six sixes against Pakistan and his team would hope that he can repeat those heroics.
UAE bowlers will hope to get a go on slower tracks conducive to spin bowling. That would bring left-arm spinner Haider Ali into the equation big time. The 31-year-old was one of the best bowlers on display in the tri-series, picking up six wickets and conceding over six runs an over in only two of the four games.
Keep an eye on: Muhammad Waseem
Without a doubt, the most consistent and biggest name on that roster. Waseem has been leading from the front for UAE by scoring consistently at the top of the order. Boasting a brilliant record in the format by averaging almost 38 at a strike rate over 155, Waseem holds the key.
Marquee Match: The clash against Oman in Abu Dhabi on September 15. These two teams know each other quite well. UAE edge them on head-to-head by a very close margin of 5-4 and when you’re grouped alongside India and Pakistan, the bare minimum one would want is to be placed just below them instead of finishing at the bottom.
Giant Killing potential: The final fixture in the group stage is against Pakistan. If games are won on paper up until that point, that match could well turn out to be a knockout clash with the winner proceeding to the Super Four. Given they will have some familiarity having faced Pakistan over the past week and even giving them a few jittery moments, there’s potential for an upset.
Group stage schedule
September 10: vs India, Dubai
September 15: vs Oman, Abu Dhabi
September 17: vs Pakistan, Dubai
© Cricbuzz
