The United Arab Emirates (UAE) cricket team sent player Muhammad Zohaib home from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 in India on Monday, citing breaches of team discipline. The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed his recall to Dubai, stating that further details would be released at an appropriate time. Zohaib, however, alleges that the decision was influenced by his nationality, claiming bias from the team management.
Disciplinary Action Confirmed
The ECB announced Muhammad Zohaib's removal from the national squad just one day before the UAE's opening match in the T20 World Cup against New Zealand. The board stated Zohaib was recalled due to "breaches of team discipline" and "violating team protocols". Officials did not provide specific details about the alleged violations, maintaining that the matter remains under internal review. The ECB also indicated it would not make any further comment on the matter at this stage.[geosuper+5]
The decision comes at a crucial time, as the UAE prepares to begin its campaign in the 20-team tournament. The team is set to face New Zealand on Tuesday in Chennai, followed by matches against Canada, Afghanistan, and South Africa in New Delhi.[a-sports+5]
Player Alleges Nationality Bias
Muhammad Zohaib has publicly challenged the disciplinary explanation for his dismissal, alleging that his removal was influenced by his Pakistani origin. He claimed that the team management consists entirely of individuals of Indian origin and that he was unfairly targeted because he is Pakistani. Zohaib has called for an official investigation by the ECB into the circumstances surrounding his departure.[geosuper+9]
In a video statement, Zohaib asserted he was asked to declare himself unfit or use his mother's health as an excuse to return home. When he refused, he claimed he was threatened and told it would become difficult for him. Zohaib also recounted being removed from practice and informed that if he did not take his flight, his hotel booking would be canceled, and he would have to pay for his stay in India. He appealed to the ECB and ICC, stating he had been treated unfairly and that nationality should not matter when representing the UAE.[thecurrent+7]
Team Unity Amidst Controversy
Despite the controversy, UAE captain Muhammad Waseem emphasized the team's unity and focus on the tournament. Waseem stated that the squad considers itself "a family" and that "there is no India-Pakistan" within the team, despite its diverse composition of players from Indian, Pakistani, and local Emirati backgrounds. He highlighted the team's preparation and confidence, drawing from a previous T20I win over New Zealand in 2023.[timesofindia+6]
The UAE squad features a blend of experienced players and emerging talent, including Alishan Sharafu, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, and Rohid Khan. The team qualified for the T20 World Cup after defeating Japan in the Asia & East Asia-Pacific Qualifier.[geosuper+3]
Zohaib's Cricket Career
Muhammad Zohaib, a 27-year-old left-handed batter, made his international debut for the UAE in May 2025. He has played 16 T20 Internationals, scoring 303 runs at an average of 20.20 and a strike rate of 103.76, including one half-century. In recent warm-up matches before the T20 World Cup, Zohaib scored 19 runs against Nepal and 16 runs against Italy.[cricketaddictor+8]
Broader Implications
The sudden removal of a player for disciplinary reasons, coupled with allegations of bias, creates an unexpected layer of tension for the UAE team at a critical phase of the T20 World Cup. This situation places added scrutiny on team unity and internal management dynamics as the squad navigates its challenging group-stage fixtures. The ECB is reportedly looking into the possibility of requesting a replacement player for the tournament.[tapmad+3]
The Emirates Cricket Board has yet to provide further details regarding Muhammad Zohaib's disciplinary breaches, while Zohaib's call for an investigation into his claims of nationality-based discrimination remains pending.
