UAE cricketers qualify for 2026 T20 World Cup

KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)

The UAE cricket team has secured its place at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, marking a significant achievement for the nation on the global sporting stage. The qualification was sealed in style with an emphatic eight-wicket demolition of Japan in a crucial Super Six encounter at the Asia/East Asia-Pacific Qualifier held in Muscat, Oman.

This victory guaranteed Muhammad Waseem’s side a top-three finish in the regional tournament, ensuring they join fellow qualifiers Nepal and Oman on the flight to India and Sri Lanka for the biennial showpiece. This is the second major international tournament exposure for the national team after playing last month in the Asia Cup, which they hosted in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The win not only confirmed the UAE’s spot but also officially ended the World Cup aspirations of Japan, Samoa and Qatar, who were clinging to mathematical possibilities. With the UAE sealing passage, the final 20-team roster is now complete for the tournament to be held in February and March. Exact dates have not been finalised. 
The qualified nations are co-hosts India and Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, England, Ireland, Italy, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, South Africa, the UAE, USA, West Indies and Zimbabwe.

The decisive match against Japan was a showcase of the UAE’s dominance and professionalism. After winning the toss and electing to field, Waseem’s bowlers were relentless from the outset.

The pressure was immediately applied, starting with a brilliant piece of fielding from Muhammad Farooq who effected a direct-hit run-out to dismiss opener Abhishek Anand (10). Japan’s innings never found momentum, stumbling to just 25 for three inside the powerplay.

The chief destroyer with the ball was paceman Haider Ali, who produced a superb spell of three for 12 from his three overs. Alongside him, Muhammad Irfan chipped in with an economical two for 24, as the Japanese batting order crumbled under sustained pressure.
A spirited rear-guard action gave Japan a respectable score of 116-9. Wicketkeeper-batsman Wataru Miyauchi, playing his first game of the tournament, produced a sensational counter-attacking innings.

Coming in at number nine, he smashed an unbeaten 45 from just 32 balls. He found an able partner in the last man Abdul Samad (11 not out), and together they forged an invaluable 42-run partnership for the final wicket.

Despite Japan’s late rally, the target was never going to challenge a powerful UAE batting line-up. Openers Alishan Sharafu and captain Waseem extinguished any lingering hopes of an upset with a blistering start. They raced to 36 without loss in the first three overs.

The pair put on a commanding 70-run stand before the skipper was dismissed for a quickfire 42 off 26 balls. Sharafu continued the assault, eventually falling just short of a half-century for a well-made 46 from 27 deliveries. Mayank Kumar (13) and Rahul Chopra (14) saw the team home calmly. The victory, with a massive 47 balls to spare, sparked jubilant celebrations among the UAE contingent.