Mohammad Zohaib Back Home From The T20 World Cup 2026: United Arab Emirates (UAE) is starting its campaign against New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. This match between the two teams will be played today i.e. on 10th February, but before this match, the Emirates Cricket Board has taken major action against one of its players. He has sent his opening batsman Mohammad Zohaib back home. The reason behind this decision of UAE is said to be related to discipline. The Emirates Cricket Board issued a statement on 9 February saying that more information will be given in the future.

UAE’s first match against New Zealand

In the T20 World Cup 2026, the match between UAE and New Zealand will be played at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This will be the first World Cup match to be held between the two teams after the year 2022. In this match, due to the sending of opener Mohammad Zohaib home, UAE’s batting may be affected. However, in his absence, Aryansh Sharma will be seen taking the responsibility of opening for the team along with captain Mohammad Wasim.

How has been Zohaib’s T20 International career?

Mohammad Zohaib made his debut for UAE in May 2025. He has played 16 T20 International matches so far, in which he has scored a total of 303 runs at a strike rate of 103.76 and an average of 20.20. During this period, only one half-century has come from his bat.

Report card of UAE and New Zealand match

This will be the fourth clash in the T20 International format between UAE and New Zealand in the T20 World Cup 2026. In the previous three encounters, New Zealand has won twice, while UAE has won once. UAE had defeated New Zealand in the match played in Dubai in the year 2023.

UAE captain gave statement before New Zealand match

Regarding the clash with New Zealand in the T20 World Cup 2026, UAE captain Mohammad Wasim said that we have defeated New Zealand in the conditions of Dubai, but, this time the match is being played in a different country, on a different ground, in different conditions and in a different tournament. In such a situation, we will have to come up with a different strategy. Our team is good, but we have to perform well together to win.