Rahul Chopra has been appointed UAE’s new ODI captain, taking over from Muhammad Waseem, who stepped down to prioritise his batting performance.
The UAE men’s cricket team has appointed wicketkeeper-batter Rahul Chopra as the new captain for their ODI squad.
The change comes as Muhammad Waseem, UAE’s top-order batter and former ODI captain, chose to relinquish his role after a challenging tenure of 26 matches in charge.
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Waseem’s decision to step down reportedly stems from a desire to focus more intensively on his batting, where he has shown exceptional promise, particularly in the team’s victories.
“I have decided to step down as captain to concentrate on my batting in the ODI format,” Waseem, who remains part of the ODI squad, said. “My best wishes are with the new captain, I will be giving him my full support.”
Waseem, who captained UAE from March 2023, led the team to seven ODI victories out of 26 matches, with a personal best average of 64.28 in games won.
His leadership, however, saw the team struggle overall, winning just one of their last seven games in the current CWC League 2 cycle.
The team’s recent eight-wicket defeat to Namibia marked Waseem’s final game as captain, leaving UAE at the bottom of the League 2 table. Despite stepping down as captain, Waseem will continue to play an active role in UAE’s squad, contributing his batting skills to the lineup.
New Leadership Under Rahul Chopra
Rahul Chopra, a wicketkeeper-batter with experience in seven ODIs and six T20Is, has been entrusted with leading UAE into their upcoming tri-series in Oman.
Chopra’s appointment as captain marks an exciting new chapter, and he is set to lead the team against Oman and the Netherlands in early November.
UAE cricket fans and the squad are looking forward to a fresh perspective and renewed energy under Chopra’s leadership, hoping for an improvement in their standings.
Muhammad Waseem’s Legacy as a Player
While Waseem’s captaincy era faced some setbacks, his individual contributions on the field were notable.
With an ODI average of 25.44 and a career highlight of 119 runs against Papua New Guinea, Waseem proved to be a reliable batsman, especially in matches the team won.
Despite the leadership transition, Waseem will continue his role in both ODIs and T20Is, where he recently top-scored in a successful tri-series in Namibia.
His decision to focus on batting is expected to bolster UAE’s top order as they push forward in the CWC League 2.
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