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 Aims to Secure Runners-Up Spot in Women's Asia Cup Clash with UAEPakistan's women's cricket team faces the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a crucial match of the Women's Asia Cup 2024, with the aim of securing the runners-up spot in their group. After a disappointing loss to arch-rivals India in their opening match, Pakistan bounced back with a convincing victory over Nepal.UAE, on the other hand, has yet to register a win in the tournament, making them the underdogs in this encounter. However, Pakistan cannot afford to take their opponents lightly, as they will be eager to prove their worth and upset the favorites.The match will be played at the Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka, and is expected to be a closely contested affair. Pakistan will be relying on their experienced players, including captain Bismah Maroof, Nida Dar, and Javeria Khan, to guide them to victory.UAE will be looking to their young and talented players, such as Chaya Mughal and Esha Oza, to make an impact. The team will also be hoping for a strong performance from their captain, Humaira Tasneem, who has been in good form with the bat.The winner of this match will secure the runners-up spot in Group A, which will give them a chance to qualify for the semi-finals. Pakistan will be determined to finish the group stage on a high note and build momentum for the knockout rounds.

Women's Asia Cup 2022: Nepal and UAE Kick Off Tournament in Rangiri DambullaThe Women's Asia Cup 2022, a prestigious continental cricket tournament, commenced today at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Sri Lanka. The opening match featured Nepal and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), two teams from Group A.Group A also includes defending champions India and arch-rivals Pakistan, setting the stage for intense competition. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, ensuring high-stakes matches throughout the tournament.Nepal, led by captain Rubina Chhetry, entered the match with a strong batting lineup featuring Indu Barma and Sita Rana Magar. The UAE, captained by Chaya Mughal, relied on their experienced bowlers, including Mahika Gaur and Esha Oza.The match began with Nepal winning the toss and electing to bat first. They posted a competitive total of 126 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Indu Barma top-scored for Nepal with a gritty 35 runs, while Sita Rana Magar contributed 27 runs.In response, the UAE struggled to chase down the target, eventually falling short by 20 runs. They were bowled out for 106 runs in 19.3 overs. Mahika Gaur was the standout performer for the UAE with both bat and ball, scoring 25 runs and taking 2 wickets.Nepal's victory in the opening match sets the tone for an exciting tournament ahead. The Women's Asia Cup 2022 promises to showcase the best of women's cricket in Asia, with talented players from across the continent vying for the coveted trophy.

UAE Batter Muhammad Usman Retires from International CricketMuhammad Usman, the Lahore-born middle-order batter, has announced his retirement from international cricket after a six-year stint with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) national team. Usman represented UAE in 85 international matches, including 38 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 47 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).Usman made his T20I debut against the Netherlands in February 2016, followed by his ODI debut against Scotland a few months later. In his ODI career, he amassed 1008 runs at an average of 31.50, including one century and four half-centuries. In T20Is, he finished with 891 runs, with three fifties to his name.Usman played a pivotal role in UAE's Asia Cup campaign in 2016, where he emerged as the team's leading run-scorer with 176 runs in seven games. Prior to his international career, Usman played five first-class and 58 List-A matches in Pakistan.Expressing his gratitude, Usman said, "It has been an incredible journey with the UAE cricket team and the cricket board. I would like to thank everyone who played a role in my journey, including my teammates, coaches, and other support staff. I feel blessed and proud that I got the opportunity of representing UAE for 85 international matches.""I am looking forward to the next chapter in my life as I want to remain associated with the sport. I want to wish the UAE team and the players the very best in what is a very exciting time for the game in the country," he added.