UAE Cricket Board Sends All-Rounder Home Over Disciplinary Breach
The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) made a significant announcement on Monday, revealing that all-rounder Muhammad Zohaib has been removed from the national squad and sent back home. This decision stems from undisclosed disciplinary issues that have prompted immediate action from the cricket administration.
The board issued a concise statement regarding the matter, stating: "Muhammad Zohaib has been sent back due to disciplinary issues. More details will be provided in due course. ECB will at this stage not make any further comment on the matter." This development comes at a crucial time as the UAE national team prepares for their opening match in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
Captain Waseem Emphasizes Team Unity Amid Regional Tensions
Meanwhile, UAE captain Muhammad Waseem addressed questions about potential tensions within the squad, particularly regarding players of Indian and Pakistani origin. With the T20 World Cup featuring high-profile matches between traditional rivals India and Pakistan, Waseem made it clear that such external dynamics do not affect his team's internal cohesion.
Waseem stated unequivocally: "No, to be honest, there is no India-Pakistan. We are playing for the UAE and we are always treating ourselves like a family. We are living like a family, friends. We are spending time together, eating together. There is no Indian-Pakistani in the UAE team to be honest."
Praise for Indian Head Coach Lalchand Rajput
The UAE captain also spoke highly of the team's Indian head coach, Lalchand Rajput, who joined the squad in 2024. Waseem highlighted how Rajput's extensive experience, particularly with Indian conditions, has been invaluable to the team's preparation.
"He has so much experience about India," Waseem explained. "He is working with the boys; he is telling everything about the pitches and the other things. So it helped us a lot and we are working on that and inshallah you will see tomorrow the same things he told to boys."
Confidence Ahead of New Zealand Clash
Looking forward to their opening match against New Zealand on Tuesday, Waseem expressed confidence in his team's abilities. He referenced their historic victory over the Black Caps in 2023 as a source of inspiration, while acknowledging the different circumstances of the upcoming encounter.
The captain outlined their approach: "Our strategy is very simple. We beat them before in UAE but this time it's a different venue, different tournament, different ground, and different game also. So we came with the other plan right now... we prepared ourselves like a champion team. So inshallah, we will try to play good cricket against them tomorrow."
Waseem further emphasized the team's preparation, adding: "Yeah, preparation is going very good to be honest... we came here with a different mindset and mentality. So you will see tomorrow the way boys will play."
The UAE cricket team now faces the dual challenge of managing internal discipline matters while maintaining focus on their crucial T20 World Cup campaign. With their opening match against New Zealand approaching, the team's unity and preparation will be tested on the global stage.
