Muhammad Waseem retained as UAE captain but CP Rizwan keeps place in squad for Nepal tour

Three changes to side for crucial Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series in Kathmandu

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  UAE's Aayan Khan is bowled by PNG's Riley Hekure during their Cricket World Cup League 2 match at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, March 5, 2023. All photos Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  UAE's Muhammad Waseem was one of the few home team batsmen to reach double digits against PSG as they were bowled out for just 97.

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  UAE's Junaid Siddique is bowled by PNG's Riley Hekure

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  UAE's Aryan Lakra is bowled by PNG's Riley Hekure

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  PNG's Riley Hekure picked up five wickets against the UAE on Sunday

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  PNG's Chad Soper after taking the wicket of UAE's Zahoor Khan

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  PNG's Tony Ura bats against UAE

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  UAE's Rohan Mustafa looks on in frustration

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  UAE captain CP Rizwan leads his team in after the loss to Papua New Guinea

Muhammad Waseem will retain the captaincy of the UAE side for the Cricket World Cup League 2 finale in Kathmandu.

The national team have four matches left in the competition, two each against hosts Nepal and Papua New Guinea.

They will fly to Nepal on the back of a poor run of form which saw them take just two wins from six matches over the past two weeks.

CP Rizwan was removed from the captaincy for the final fixture of that series of matches in Dubai, with opener Waseem taking over the reins.

The dismal run of results means UAE cannot now qualify directly for the global Qualifier in Zimbabwe later this year, which has on offer the final two places for the World Cup in India.

Instead UAE will play at the last-chance Qualifier Play-off in Namibia, starting at the end of this month. They will likely also be playing to retain one-day international status – and thus substantial ICC funding – in Windhoek.

Only the top five sides in League 2 are assured of ODI status. The national team are currently sixth in the points table.

“We have another important tri-series in Nepal which will be a formidable challenge,” Robin Singh, the UAE coach, was quoted as saying. “Our aim will be to finish the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 stage on a high.

“The decision to name Muhammad Waseem captain for the tri-series is a strategic one. Waseem has been one of our premier performers and has gained great confidence after his sensational run in the recently concluded DP World ILT20.

“We feel that he has a lot to offer to the side and can make a difference to our approach as a team.

There are three changes to the squad for the series in Kathmandu. Alishan Sharafu, Sabir Ali and Rahul Bhatia have all been dropped. Zawar Farid, the all-rounder, has been recalled. Ashwanth Valthapa is set for another trip to Nepal, having been a non-playing reserve when UAE lost a three-match bilateral series there in November.

Aryansh Sharma, the 18-year-old wicketkeeper who was a key part of the UAE’s Under 19 side who just missed out on qualification for the World Cup last week, has earned a maiden call up to the senior side. Rizwan has retained his place in the squad.

“On behalf of the Emirates Cricket Board and the team management, I want to thank CP Rizwan for his services for the team as a captain and leader,” Singh said.

“He remains an integral part of the squad and has a big contribution to make to UAE cricket. I look forward to his inputs and performances in Nepal.”

UAE’s first match at Tribhuvan University will be against PNG on Friday.