UAE Captain Stresses Unity Amid India-Pakistan Asia Cup Tensions

UAE cricket captain Muhammad Waseem dismissed any impact of India-Pakistan tensions on his diverse team, emphasizing unity ahead of their Asia Cup match against Pakistan. With players like Simranjeet Singh, Rahul Chopra, and Alishan Sharafu of Indian descent, alongside Waseem, Haider Ali, and Asif Khan of Pakistani origin, the UAE squad is a vibrant mix of talent from both nations.

"We are like a family here. There’s no Indian or Pakistani—we play for UAE," Waseem declared, sidestepping questions about the strained relations between the two countries, recently escalated by the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 Indian lives. He insisted that the team’s dressing room remains free of political discussions, focusing solely on cricket.

The Asia Cup has been marred by controversy, notably when India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav skipped the customary handshake with Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha during their match on Sunday, a gesture of solidarity with the Pahalgam victims.

Pakistan’s team retaliated by delaying their game against UAE, demanding the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft, whom they accused of blocking traditional exchanges. The ICC rejected the claim, stating Pakistan provided no evidence, and the match proceeded after a reported apology from Pycroft.

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Despite the delay, Waseem’s UAE side showed resilience, restricting Pakistan to 146 for 9 but falling short by 41 runs. Waseem refused to consider a walkover despite Pakistan’s late arrival, stating, "We came here to play the game, and we did that. The organizers handle the rest."

The captain’s focus remained on performance, brushing off suggestions that the delay disrupted their routine. "Did our bowling look affected?" he quipped, pointing to their strong effort on the field. Pakistan’s Haris Rauf, returning to the XI with two wickets, echoed Waseem’s sentiment, avoiding the controversy. "I focused on the match, not the external issues. That’s for the management to handle," he said.

With India and Pakistan set to clash again in the Super 4 on Sunday, India has confirmed its ‘no handshake’ stance will continue, potentially setting the stage for another tense encounter. A final showdown between the two on September 28 remains a possibility, but for Waseem and his UAE team, the focus is clear: unity and cricket above all.

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