Junaid Siddique Returns as UAE Announce Revamped Squad for T20 Tri-Series
The Emirates Cricket Board has unveiled a 15-member squad for the upcoming T20I tri-series in Sharjah, where the UAE will take on Afghanistan and Pakistan from August 29 to September 7, 2025. Fast bowler Junaid Siddique, one of the UAE’s most experienced campaigners, makes a much-anticipated return alongside three other inclusions — Harshit Kaushik, Muhammad Farooq, and Muhammad Jawadullah.
The tournament serves as crucial preparation for the T20 Asia Cup 2025, set to begin just two days later, on September 9, with the UAE drawn in a high-profile group alongside India, Oman, and Pakistan.
Leadership and Selection Strategy
Muhammad Waseem will continue to lead the side, with the selectors and head coach Lalchand Rajput banking on a balance of seasoned players and fresh faces. The squad has been expanded from 14 to 15 members, reflecting the importance of squad depth ahead of back-to-back assignments.
From the team that recently competed in the Pearl of Africa Cup in Uganda, where the UAE reached the final but lost to the hosts, three players have been left out: Akif Raja, Matiullah Khan, and Zuhaib Zubair.
New and Returning Faces
Junaid Siddique – The Experienced Spearhead
At 32, Junaid Siddique brings invaluable experience to the bowling unit. Having represented the UAE in 59 ODIs (76 wickets) and 71 T20Is (96 wickets), Siddique’s ability to deliver in the powerplay and death overs makes him a vital addition. He has also proven his worth on the franchise circuit, with stints in the ILT20 and Global T20 Canada, showcasing his adaptability to varied conditions.
Harshit Kaushik – A Debut on the Horizon
The most intriguing inclusion is Harshit Kaushik, a 28-year-old left-hand middle-order batter who also bowls part-time left-arm spin. Though uncapped at the international level, Kaushik has impressed in domestic cricket and is viewed as a utility player who can stabilize the middle order while offering a spin option.
Muhammad Jawadullah – Left-Arm Option
Jawadullah, 26, is another key addition. The left-arm pacer has already played 12 ODIs (11 wickets) and 33 T20Is (54 wickets) for the UAE. Known for his ability to swing the ball early and bowl tight spells at the death, his inclusion strengthens the UAE’s pace-bowling variety.
Muhammad Farooq – Spin Allrounder
Legspin-bowling allrounder Muhammad Farooq (32) brings both bowling control and batting depth. With eight T20Is (9 wickets) under his belt, Farooq’s return adds flexibility, particularly on the spin-friendly Sharjah surface.
Fixtures and Key Battles
The Sharjah Cricket Stadium will host all matches under lights, with the tri-series promising exciting contests:
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Aug 29: Afghanistan vs Pakistan
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Aug 30: UAE vs Pakistan
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Sep 1: UAE vs Afghanistan
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Sep 2: Afghanistan vs Pakistan
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Sep 4: UAE vs Pakistan
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Sep 5: UAE vs Afghanistan
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Sep 7: Final
With both Afghanistan and Pakistan fielding strong line-ups, the UAE’s fixtures will be a test of both skill and temperament, offering the team much-needed exposure before clashing with giants like India at the Asia Cup.
Familiar Core with Promising Talent
Beyond the new entrants, the UAE’s squad retains a strong core. The likes of Alishan Sharafu, Aryansh Sharma, Asif Khan, and Dhruv Parashar add batting depth, while wicketkeepers Aryansh Sharma and Rahul Chopra provide stability behind the stumps.
Youngster Muhammad Zohaib, UAE’s standout batter in the Pearl of Africa Cup, is expected to carry his fine form into the tri-series, while Saghir Khan and Rohid Khan represent the team’s investment in youth.
Head coach Lalchand Rajput, who has been working on instilling consistency and sharper match awareness in the side, believes the tri-series will be the perfect platform for the UAE to test their bench strength ahead of a jam-packed calendar.
UAE Squad for T20I Tri-Series
Muhammad Waseem (capt), Alishan Sharafu, Aryansh Sharma (wk), Asif Khan, Dhruv Parashar, Ethan D’Souza, Haider Ali, Harshit Kaushik, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Zohaib, Rahul Chopra (wk), Rohid Khan, Saghir Khan.
What Lies Ahead
For the UAE, the immediate focus will be on building momentum in Sharjah, but the bigger picture is the T20 Asia Cup 2025 and the T20 World Cup qualifiers on the horizon. The recall of experienced campaigners like Siddique and the introduction of fresh talent underline the team’s intent to compete fearlessly against higher-ranked opposition.
With home advantage, a balanced squad, and a busy cricketing calendar, this tri-series could mark the start of an important new chapter for UAE cricket.