Mohammad Waseem to lead UAE in three-match T20I series against New Zealand | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: The UAE have unveiled its 16-player roster for the forthcoming three-match T20I series against New Zealand at the Dubai International Stadium, beginning Thursday. Mohammad Waseem, with 23 T20Is under his belt, takes on his maiden captaincy role for the series, a mantle he assumed earlier this year as ODI captain.

This squad introduces two untested talents: Faraazuddin, an all-rounder, and left-arm spinner Jash Giyanani. Both players’ consistent performances in domestic cricket and for the UAE A’ squad caught the selectors’ attention.

Asif Khan is poised for his T20I debut, backed by a string of impressive showings in ODIs, including a record-setting century earlier this year against Nepal. His recent unbeaten 151 off 145 balls against the USA in the ODI World Cup qualifiers’ ninth-place playoff underscores his remarkable form.
Notably, Asif’s extraordinary performance includes a 45-ball 102* against Nepal in March, recognized as the fourth-fastest ODI century and the swiftest by an Associate player.

He followed this up two weeks later with an 84-ball 103 against the United States, cementing his status as a standout performer for the UAE squad.

UAE squad for T20I series against New Zealand: Mohammad Waseem (captain), Ali Naseer, Ansh Tandon, Aryansh Sharma, Asif Khan, Aayan Afzal Khan, Basil Hameed, Ethan D’Souza, Faraazuddin, Jash Giyanani, Junaid Siddique, Lovepreet Singh, Mohammad Jawadullah, Sanchit Sharma, Vriitya Aravind and Zahoor Khan.
(With ANI inputs)