The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 witnesses a squad tweak for UAE, with Haider Shah officially replacing Mohammad Zohaib after receiving Event Technical Committee approval on Wednesday. The change addresses Zohaib’s mental health challenges and team welfare priorities.
Experienced with 16 T20Is, Shah joins a UAE side reeling from a 10-wicket thrashing by New Zealand in their Group D opener on February 10 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. Sitting fourth, UAE desperately needs momentum.
Opting to bat, UAE notched 173/6 – their highest T20 World Cup score. They lost Aryansh Sharma cheaply (8), but captain Mohammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu countered with a 107-run stand off 77 balls, lifting to 119/2.
Sharafu smashed 55 (47 balls, 5×4, 2×6), caught post-partnership. Waseem’s captain’s knock – 66* (45 balls, 4×4, 3×6) – paired with Mayank Kumar’s 21 (13 balls), tested the Kiwis. Matt Henry picked two scalps.
In reply, New Zealand’s openers dominated. Tim Seifert’s explosive 89* (42 balls: 12×4, 3×6) and Finn Allen’s 84 (50 balls: 5×4, 5×6) ensured a breezy 15.2-over win.
This replacement signals UAE’s commitment to balance. As the tournament heats up, Shah’s integration could prove pivotal in salvaging their campaign and challenging for Super 8s qualification.