The United Arab Emirates (UAE) cricket team is all set for the Men’s Asia Cup 2025, with the Emirates cricket Board (ECB) announcing a 17-member squad on Thursday, september 4. The t20 tournament, scheduled from September 9 to 28, will be played entirely in the uae, giving the home team a chance to make a mark against Asia’s cricketing giants.

1. Muhammad Waseem to Lead uae in Asia Cup 2025

The uae squad will be captained by Muhammad Waseem, who brings experience and leadership to a team eager to impress on home soil. Waseem’s leadership will be crucial as the uae faces some of Asia’s most formidable cricketing nations, including India and Pakistan.

2. Notable Returns: Matiullah Khan and Simranjeet Singh

Among the 17 players, two key inclusions are making a return to the national setup:

• Matiullah Khan (32) – a right-arm pacer who has previously played 1 ODI and 5 T20Is. His recall adds depth to the uae bowling attack.
• Simranjeet Singh (35) – a left-arm spinner who has featured in 11 T20Is and 5 ODIs, last appearing in the gulf T20I championship in December 2024. His experience will be valuable in the spin-friendly uae conditions.

These recalls signal the team management’s intent to balance youth and experience in the squad.

3. UAE’s Asia Cup Return After Nine Years

This marks UAE’s first appearance in the Asia Cup since 2016. The gap has given the team time to rebuild and strengthen, focusing on players capable of competing at the continental level. With the tournament being held at home, uae hopes to leverage familiar conditions to challenge cricketing heavyweights.

4. uae Group A Fixtures

The uae team has been placed in Group A alongside:

• India (defending champions)
• Pakistan
• Oman

Their campaign begins with a high-profile clash:

• September 10: uae vs India
• September 15: uae vs Oman
• September 17: uae vs Pakistan

The schedule promises exciting contests, and the uae will need consistent performances to progress beyond the group stage.

5. Full uae Squad for Men’s Asia Cup 2025

The 17-member squad announced by ECB is as follows:

Muhammad Waseem (C)

Rahul Chopra

Rohid Khan

Muhammad Farooq

Muhammad Zohaib

Matiullah Khan

Junaid Siddique

Harshit Kaushik

Haider Ali

Simranjeet Singh

Ethan Dsouza

Dhruv Parashar

Muhammad Jawadullah

Asif Khan

Aryansh Sharma

Alishan Sharafu

Saghir Khan

This squad combines youthful talent with experienced campaigners, offering a mix of pace, spin, and batting depth.

6. Key Players to Watch

• Muhammad Waseem (C) – Captain and top-order batsman, pivotal for UAE’s stability.
• Matiullah Khan – Expected to spearhead the pace attack.
• Simranjeet Singh – Spin specialist, likely to exploit turning conditions.
• Rahul Chopra & Rohid Khan – Promising youngsters who can provide crucial contributions with bat and ball.

7. UAE’s Chances and Expectations

While Group A is challenging, uae aims to upset the bigger teams by leveraging home advantage. Analysts believe:

• Strong performances in the first game against india could boost team morale.
• Consistency from senior players like Simranjeet Singh and Muhammad Waseem will be key.
• Young players could emerge as breakout stars, particularly in middle overs and death overs.

8. Final Word: UAE’s Continental Challenge

After a nine-year hiatus, uae returns to the Asia Cup with a balanced squad ready to face the continent’s best in t20 cricket. With experience, youth, and home advantage, the team will be looking to make a strong statement in the 2025 Asia Cup and inspire a new era of uae cricket.

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