The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have officially qualified for the T20 World Cup 2026 after a strong victory against Japan in the regional qualifier. This win helped UAE secure the final spot from the Asia and East Asia-Pacific region, confirming their place among the 20 teams for next year’s global event.
UAE dominated the match from the start. Their bowlers took early wickets, reducing Japan’s top order to a small total. Haider Ali led the attack with three key wickets, putting Japan under constant pressure. Despite a fighting knock from Wataru Miyauchi, who scored 45 runs, Japan could only reach 116 runs in their 20 overs.
In reply, UAE’s openers gave a confident start to the chase. Captain Muhammad Waseem played an impressive innings of 42 runs, while Alishan Sharafu added 46 runs. The pair guided the team to an easy eight-wicket win in just 13 overs. Their composed performance ensured UAE’s qualification without any major difficulty.
With this victory, UAE joined Nepal and Oman as the three teams from their region to reach the tournament. This marks UAE’s third appearance in a T20 World Cup, showing steady progress in their cricket journey. The team had earlier appeared in the 2014 and 2022 editions but failed to advance beyond the group stage.
The qualification also ended hopes for Japan, Qatar, and Samoa, who were depending on a Japan win to stay alive in the race. The UAE’s balanced side, with solid batting and disciplined bowling, proved too strong for their opponents.
The 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will feature 20 teams for the first time in the event’s history. UAE’s qualification brings excitement to their fans and highlights the country’s growing presence in international cricket.
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