The UAE will be led by Chundangapoyil Rizwan, who succeeded Ahmed Raza as captain in August 2022. Chirag Suri, who was picked by the Gujarat Lions squad in 2017, is part of the squad as well, as are top-order batters Alishan Sarafu, Muhammad Waseem, and wicketkeeper Vriitya Aravind. Waseem, in particular, is someone the opposition will keep an eye on: he strikes at 154, and is one of a handful of cricketers to have struck two hundreds in Twenty20 Internationals. Both his hundreds came against Ireland, in October 2021 and this February.

However, the UAE’s real strength lies in their all-rounders – Kashif Daud, Basil Hameed, Aayan Afzal Khan, Aryan Lakra, and Zawar Farid. Picking all five, or at least four of them, will provide excellent balance to their side. There is no Rohan Mustafa, but the UAE still have fast bowler Zahoor Khan and left-arm spinner Ahmed Raza to lead the bowling, while Sabir Ali may provide some surprise with his left-arm pace. They will be supported by Karthik Meiyappan and Junaid Siddique.

This is the second time the UAE are featuring in a T20 World Cup, after 2014. On that occasion, they were pitted with Zimbabwe, Ireland, and the Netherlands in the same group, and lost every match by comprehensive margins. This time, they are placed in Group A of the First Round, along with Sri Lanka, Namibia, and the Netherlands. Two teams will qualify from this group for the Super 12s. The UAE will play their First Round matches on October 16, 18, and 20, at the Kardinia Park in Geelong.

UAE squad: T20 World Cup 2022

Batters

Chundangapoyil Rizwan (c), Chirag Suri, Alishan Sharafu, Muhammad Waseem

Wicketkeepers

Vriitya Aravind (vc)

All-rounders

Kashif Daud, Basil Hameed, Aayan Afzal Khan, Aryan Lakra, Zawar Farid

Bowlers

Zahoor Khan, Sabir Ali, Karthik Meiyappan, Junaid Siddique, Ahmed Raza

Standby players

Sultan Ahmed, Fahad Nawaz, Sanchit Sharma