Cricket

Muhammad Waseem, the 30-year-old top-order batter, has stepped down as UAE men's ODI captain after leading the team in 26 matches between 2023 and 2024. The decision was announced by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) in a statement, which also confirmed that Waseem will continue to play ODI cricket.Waseem took over the ODI captaincy from CP Rizwan during the 2019-2023 ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 for UAE's match against Nepal in March 2023. Under his leadership, UAE won seven ODIs and lost 19, with Waseem being the standout performer in the matches they won. He averaged 64.28 in those seven games, hitting his only century in the format (119 vs Papua New Guinea) and three half-centuries.However, in the 19 matches that UAE lost under Waseem's captaincy, his average dropped to 21.10, closer to his career number of 25.44. This may have contributed to his decision to step down, especially considering that UAE are currently bottom of the eight-team table in the 2024-2027 edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 after playing seven games and winning only one.Waseem's resignation comes after UAE's recent loss to Namibia by eight wickets in their last game of the World Cup League 2, where they folded for 190. Despite stepping down as captain, Waseem remains a regular member of UAE's T20I team and played a key role in their victory in the tri-series in Namibia earlier this month, where he top-scored with 159 runs in four innings.

Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi, Namibia's Gerhard Erasmus, and UAE's Muhammad Waseem have been nominated for the ICC Men's Player of the Month award for April 2024.Afridi's nomination stems from his exceptional bowling performances in Pakistan's drawn T20I series against New Zealand. He was instrumental in both of Pakistan's victories, taking 3-13 in the second T20I and 4-30 in the fifth and final match. His eight wickets in the series at an average of 10.00 earned him the Player of the Series award.Erasmus played a pivotal role in Namibia's series victory in Oman. He amassed 145 runs and picked up eight wickets, including two Player of the Match performances. In the second match, he scored a controlled half-century, while in the decider, he blasted an eye-catching 64 not out in 29 balls and took two wickets to seal the series win.Waseem, UAE's opening batter, impressed in his side's run to ACC Premier Cup triumph. He scored 269 runs at an average of 44.83, including a century in the final against Oman. His consistent performances throughout the tournament have earned him a nomination for the ICC Men's Player of the Month award.The winner of the award will be announced on May 10, 2024.