The United Arab Emirates (UAE) featured in the tri-series 2025 at home against Pakistan and Afghanistan to prepare for the upcoming Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, which is scheduled to begin on September 09 as they would face India in their opening game on the following day at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The UAE side, however, didn’t earn a single victory in the tri-series.

Muhammed Waseem will be leading the squad for the Asia Cup. His role in the leadership department and the opening position will be crucial for the team. Along with him, Asif Khan, the second leading run-getter in T20Is for the UAE, is also expected to play a huge role with the bat.

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United Arab Emirates Squad: Muhammad Waseem (c), Alishan Sharafu, Aryansh Sharma, Asif Khan, Dhruv Parashar, Ethan D'Souza, Haider Ali, Harshit Kaushik, Junaid Siddique, Matiullah Khan, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Zohaib, Rahul Chopra, Rohid Khan, Simranjeet Singh, Saghir Khan.

After facing the UAE in their opening game, they will lock horns with Oman on September 15 in the afternoon clash and later against Pakistan on September 17 in Dubai.

Let’s take a look at the top 3 players to watch from UAE ahead of Asia Cup 2025

3. Asif Khan

The Lahore right-handed batter for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Asif Khan, has been a vital member of the eleven in the lower middle order. In the batting department, he has smashed 1298 runs in 53 T20I innings at an average of over 30 and a strike rate of nearly 140, thanks to six half-centuries at the best score of 79 runs.

In the shortest format, Asif has clubbed 1342 T20 runs in 55 innings at an average of just below 30 and a strike rate of 139.64, scoring six fifties at the best score of 79 runs. Quite interestingly, he featured in just one clash of the International League T20 for the Mumbai Emirates in 2023/24 but didn’t get the chance to bat.

In the recently concluded Tri-series, Asif bashed 125 runs in four innings, with 77 runs coming against Pakistan at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

2. Muhammad Waseem

The captain and the opening batter of the United Arab Emirates, Muhammad Waseem, is the 11th leading T20I run getter and the highest run-getter of the side. The 31-year-old has drilled 2922 runs in 82 innings of the T20Is at an average of nearly 38 and a strike rate of 155.67, with the help of 23 half-centuries and three centuries at the best score of 112.

In 111 T20 innings, the right-handed batter has dashed 3585 runs at an average of nearly 35 and a strike rate of 153, scoring 26 half-centuries and three centuries at the best score of 112. Playing for the MIE in the last edition of the ILT20, he bashed 183 runs in 10 innings.

Waseem has always been a consistent yet aggressive batter in the opening position for the UAE. In the tri-series, he notched up 163 runs in four innings at an average of over 40, with 67 runs coming against Afghanistan.

1. Haider Ali

The slow left-arm spinner of the UAE side, Haider Ali, is another vital member of the side. In 13 T20I innings, he has picked up 22 wickets at an average of under 13, a strike rate of 14.1, and an economy rate of under six, with the best bowling figures of 4/16 in an inning.

In the overall 30 innings of the shortest format, Ali has bagged 31 scalps at an average of under 19, a strike rate of 18.7, and an economy rate of under six, with 4/16 as the best. One of Haider’s excellent skills is how he varies the pace and spin with the ball against different batters of the side.

Against Afghanistan and twice against Pakistan, Haider picked up two wickets during the tri-series, which has always contributed to helping the side gain dominance in the middle overs of the innings. His role on those slow and low Dubai and Abu Dhabi surfaces will be important for the UAE side to hold the key to the event.

Greater Manchester Police have given Pakistan batter Haider Ali a two-week extension on his bail after being complained about by a British-Pakistani woman over an alleged situation at a hotel in Manchester. The 24-year-old was due to engage City of Manchester Police on August 20, but has since been told to engage two weeks later as the situation continues to be investigated.

In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said Haider had been arrested earlier after the complaint. “It’s alleged that the incident took place on Wednesday, 23 July 2025, at a premises in Manchester. The man has been bailed while further enquiries are made. The victim is being supported by officers,” police stated.

Haider denies the allegations and awaits the inquiry outcome

Sources say Haider denied all accusations during his questioning. He allegedly told investigators he was very well acquainted with the woman and thought of her as a friend. He said they met in a local hotel in Manchester. Haider was first stopped by Kent Police from the Players’ Canteen Office at the Spitfire County Cricket Ground and then taken to Canterbury Police Station for questioning.
Following this, Haider Ali was provisionally suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to allow the legal process to run its course once again.

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In the PCB statement, they said: “The PCB respects in its entirety the legal processes of the United Kingdom and appreciates the need for the investigation to be completed through due process. As a by-product of this, Haider Ali has been suspended provisionally with immediate effect. He will remain suspended until the investigation is complete. At the end of the proceedings, and all of the facts established, the PCB reserves its right to take any necessary action under the Code of Conduct."

Young batter’s career on hold pending the investigation outcome

Haider Ali, who made his international debut for Pakistan back in 2020, has played a total of 35 Twenty20 internationals and two one-day internationals for the national side. With his aggressive stroke play, he was once pegged as one of Pakistan's brightest batting talents.

With the inquiry ongoing, Haider's cricketing future remains in doubt as both fans and officials will have to await clarity on the outcome when the legal process is complete.

Pakistan’s upcoming young sensational batter, Haider Ali, has found himself under criminal investigation by the Greater Manchester Police. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has immediately suspended the batter pending the outcome of the inquiry. No details have been shared yet on the nature of the crime, as the reports have claimed that the batter is not currently in custody in the United Kingdom.

Pakistan’s board was made aware of the investigation as the incident had raised questions during the Green Brigade’s A-tour of England recently, which concluded on Monday. The PCB has confirmed that they would be providing legal support to the batter to protect his rights throughout this process.

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“The PCB has been made aware of a criminal investigation currently being conducted by the Greater Manchester Police involving cricketer Haider Ali. The investigation pertains to an incident that reportedly occurred during the Pakistan Shaheens' recent tour of England.” The statement released by the Pakistan Cricket Board revealed.

PCB suspends Haider Ali on charges of sexual molestation in England

Haider Ali, the 24-year-old, has featured in two ODIs for the national side, where he has thumped 42 runs, besides smashing 505 runs in 32 T20I innings at an average of nearly 18 and a strike rate of 124.69 with three half-centuries. In 42 FC innings, the right-handed batter has clubbed 1797 runs at an average of 47.28, scoring five centuries and eight fifties.

“The PCB fully respects the legal procedures and processes of the United Kingdom and acknowledges the importance of allowing the investigation to run its due course. Accordingly, the PCB has decided to place Haider Ali under provisional suspension, effective immediately, pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.” The Pakistan Cricket Board’s statement addressed.

 “Once the legal proceedings are concluded and all facts have been duly established, the PCB reserves the right to take appropriate action under its Code of Conduct, if necessary.” It added. Ali has also thumped 1996 runs in 57 List A innings at an average of around 38, with two centuries and 17 fifties at the best score of 118 runs.

Pakistan cricket is again in toil due to an alleged rape case. A fresh controversy has been generated regarding their young batsman, Haider Ali, who was arrested by the British police. A batter is alleged to have committed a rape in England. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has provisionally suspended the 24-year-old as the investigation is underway. Confirming the cricketer's name, the board has promised to provide him as much support as possible, and they will conduct their own inquiry about the serious matter.

"We have suspended Haider until the investigation is completed and will conduct our own inquiry in the UK," a PCB spokesperson revealed to media. Though, the British police did not mention the alleged person's name. 

On Monday, the Greater Manchester Police confirmed, "We have arrested a 24-year-old man… It’s alleged the incident occurred on Wednesday, 23 July 2025, at a premises in Manchester. The man has since been bailed pending further inquiries."

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Who is Haider Ali? 

Haider Ali is an international cricketer for Pakistan, who played multiple games for them in the limited overs format but has yet to receive his Test cap. He recently traveled to the United Kingdom as part of the Pakistan Saheen squad, the 'A' team of the Pakistan Cricket Board. Ali made his international debut in 2020. Since then, he has played a couple of One Day Internationals and 35 T20 Internationals.

In those 35 T20Is, the right-handed batter has scored a total of 505 runs at an average of 17.41, with a 68-run inning so far his highest individual in the format. In 2 ODIs, he got a total of 42 runs. Ali's first-class cricket career is much more impressive than his international stats. In 27 first-class matches and 42 innings, the middle-order batsman got a 47.28 average. On August 3, 2025, he scored only 1 run for the Pakistan Shaheens.