UAE announce squad for Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023
UAE featured in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-Offs in Namibia earlier this year, and secured second position in the event. This result helped them seal a spot for the CWC Qualifier 2023 in Zimbabwe this month. A successful tournament can pave the way for UAE to play in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.
The team have announced a 15-member squad for the Qualifier. Mohammad Waseem leads the side, which also features veterans like Asif Khan, Zahoor Khan and Rohan Mustafa.
Asif made headlines in March, when he slammed a 41-ball hundred against Nepal, which was the fourth-fastest hundred in ODI cricket. He was also the leading run-scorer in the Qualifier Play-offs, with 296 runs at a batting average of 59.2.
The medium-pacer Zahoor was UAE's most successful bowler during the abovementioned event in Namibia, during which he picked 10 wickets at an average of 23.3.
UAE are placed in Group B of the Qualifier, where they will face Ireland, Oman, Sri Lanka and Scotland.
UAE Squad: Mohammad Waseem (c), Ethan D'Souza, Ali Naseer, Vriitya Aravind, Rameez Shahzad, Muhammad Jawadullah, Asif Khan, Rohan Mustafa, Aayan Khan, Junaid Siddique, Zahoor Khan, Sanchit Sharma, Aryansh Sharma, Karthik Meiyappan, Basil Hameed.