Rahul Chopra to Lead UAE in Crucial ICC CWC League 2 Matches

Dubai, UAE – The UAE cricket team, led by Rahul Chopra, is set to compete in the latest round of the ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) League 2 matches against Nepal and the USA. The crucial qualifying series for the ICC Men’s World Cup 2027 (50-overs format) will commence on Sunday, October 26, with matches scheduled at the Dubai International Stadium (DIS) and the ICC Academy, Oval 1 (ICCA).

The 15-member UAE squad, captained by Chopra, features a mix of experience and youth. Chopra will also take the gloves as one of the two wicketkeepers, alongside Aryansh Sharma. Notable players in the squad include Muhammad Waseem, Alishan Sharafu, and fast bowler Junaid Siddique. The team will be supported by a staff headed by Indian veteran Lalchand Rajput as the Head Coach.

UAE Fixtures and Schedule

The hosts kick off their campaign on Tuesday, October 28, facing the USA at the Dubai International Stadium. Their encounter with Nepal is scheduled for Thursday, October 30, at the ICCA Oval 1.

The second half of the series sees the UAE play the USA again on Monday, November 3, at the DIS, and conclude their matches against Nepal on Wednesday, November 5, at the ICCA Oval 1. All seven matches in the series, which also include two fixtures between Nepal and the USA, are slated for a 9:30 am local time start.

Squad and Support Staff Details

UAE Squad

Rahul Chopra (captain and wicketkeeper), Alishan Sharafu, Aryansh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Dhruv Parshar, Haider Ali, Harshit Kaushik, Junaid Siddique, Mayank Kumar, Muhammad Arfan, Muhammad Shahdad, Muhammad Waseem, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Shoaib Khan, Simranjeet Singh, and Zahid Ali.

Support Staff

• Team Manager: Amjad Ezzi
• Head Coach: Lalchand Rajput
• Strength and Conditioning Coach: Azharuddin Qureshi
• Video Analyst: Manipreet Sidhu
• Physiotherapist: Manish Pradeshi

ICC CWC League 2 – Full Series Schedule