Alishan Sharafu and Muhammad Waseem: A partnership giving UAE hope for the T20 World Cup - Salam alaikum
The last time the UAE featured at a T20 World Cup, two names that have grown closely linked helped the team to only their second win on that stage.
It happened in a way nobody expected. Muhammad Waseem, in the unusual job of bowling at the death, delivered the third-last ball to David Wiese, Namibia’s powerful all-rounder. Wiese hit it well toward the boundary, but there, running back, was a young Alishan Sharafu, who took a crucial catch that turned the match in the UAE’s favour.
Since then Waseem and Sharafu have become the national side’s go-to match-winners - mostly with the bat now, rather than with bowling or fielding.
From that game in Geelong they’ve built a partnership that is central to the team. If the UAE want to make an impression at the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in February, a lot will depend on those two.
“I really enjoy batting with him,” Sharafu said about his relationship with his captain. “When you’re out there with him, you don’t feel pressured about the scoreboard or anything. We just complement each other, especially in using the powerplay - that’s our main plan.
“On days when we’re both in rhythm, we go for it. We try to make the most of the powerplay, and once it’s over we switch roles - sometimes one of us goes deeper while the other keeps the momentum. We’re starting to understand small things like if an early wicket falls, one of us will bat through. I enjoy batting with him and hopefully we’ll make good memories like that in the World Cup, in sha’ Allah.”
That catch against Namibia in 2022 was only Sharafu’s seventh T20 international at the time. Before then he hadn’t had a fixed role, had been moved around the order, and his best score had been just 12. His calm when taking that catch showed he had the temperament for big moments.
He’s clearly progressed since then. Now 22, Sharafu has scored five half-centuries in his last 11 T20I innings - including 68 against Pakistan, 51 against Oman in the Asia Cup, and 86 and 46 in the two qualifying matches the UAE needed to reach India and Sri Lanka. Those performances show he’s starting to deliver when it really matters.
“I was still young and developing back then,” Sharafu reflected on his first senior World Cup in Australia. “I’m still evolving, but I feel in a better place now. I understand my game more and have clearer ideas about my role. I’m grateful to be batting the way I am.
“I want to keep improving. I’ve been working hard, fixing mistakes, and trying to keep things simple. I’m backing my strengths and slowly working on weaknesses - that’s the plan heading into the World Cup.”
The UAE’s next assignment is a one-day tri-series in Dubai this month against the United States and Nepal. Both of those teams played at the last T20 World Cup, and the UAE watched on with a bit of frustration. The USA surprised many by reaching the second round in that tournament, and Sharafu hopes the UAE can make a similar statement at the 2026 event.
“Going to the World Cup in Australia was surreal - probably one of the best experiences of my life,” he said. “Spending a month there with that atmosphere and quality of cricket is the highest level you can dream of. I’m excited again. Last time we missed the next round by a single game. Hopefully this time we can get a couple of good league results and find ourselves in the Super Eight, in sha’ Allah.”
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