Dubai – Ahead of their Asia Cup 2025 campaign opener against India on September 10, UAE captain Muhammad Waseem maintained a calm demeanour, stating that the match is “not a big match”. His focus remains squarely on strategy, discipline, and seizing opportunities rather than the expected hype.
‘All matches will be the same’—Waseem keeps expectations grounded
Waseem emphasized that in international cricket, every opponent is strong. “We will not take it as a big match because all the teams are good in front of you… all the matches will be the same,” he said. The UAE team plans to stick to their hard-won strategies, remain composed under pressure, and let the result unfold naturally.
No special plans against individual Indian stars
The UAE skipper clarified that their game plan targets the team as a whole rather than specific Indian players. “We have created a plan for six to seven batters for the whole team… we will play carefully with their wicket-taker bowler,” said Waseem.
Home conditions seen as advantage
Waseem also noted that while India and Pakistan frequently play in the UAE, it is the UAE team that understands home conditions best. “This is our home,” he remarked, expressing confidence that familiar surroundings would help the team perform at their peak.
Building on steady progress and regional inspiration
The UAE has been steadily improving on the Asian cricketing stage, drawing inspiration from Afghanistan’s rise. Their qualification for the 2022 T20 World Cup highlighted their upward trajectory, and Waseem hopes to build on that momentum in this Asia Cup.