UAE’s Muhammad Zohaib Sent Back Ahead Of T20 World Cup, Citing Disciplinary Breach

UAE batter Muhammad Zohaib was sent back home before the start of the UAE’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign after being found guilty of a major disciplinary violation.

In a recent development ahead of their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, the United Arab Emirates cricket team have sent batter Muhammad Zohaib back home, citing disciplinary reasons. The batter was let go from the team just one day ahead of their tournament opener against New Zealand in Chennai.

The departure of Zohaib was confirmed by the Emirates Cricket Board via an official statement released on their website; however, the details of the disciplinary breach were not specified, with the statement adding that more details will be provided in due course.

Zohaib was a top-order option in the squad, which will leave gaps for the UAE batting line-up to fill as they take on New Zealand in the opening clash. The Muhammad Wasim-led team will feel the absence of the in-form top-order batter Muhammad Zohaib. Zohaib debuted for the UAE back in May 2025, where he has played 16 matches and gathered 303 runs at an average of 20.20.

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In his recent appearances, he played in the UAE’s warm-up game against Italy, batting at number nine, and against Nepal, he scored 19 runs off 26 deliveries, signifying a notable dip in form.

Muhammad Waseem Addresses Team Concerns for T20 World Cup 2026

Skipper Muhammad Wasim addressed the situation in his pre-match comments, focusing on team unity and preparation rather than outside controversies. Muhammad Wasim also stressed that the team environment promotes no India-Bangladesh rivalry and is instead fully focused on the T20 World Cup 2026 campaign.

“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… But we work very well, and we have prepared ourselves like a champion team. We will try to play good cricket against them tomorrow,” Waseem was quoted as saying by ESPNcrininfo.

“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,” Waseem added.

While Zohaib’s exclusion is still under the clouds, UAE’s tournament opener on February 10 is set to decide their fate in the event as well as their standing on the global stage.