Why Muhammad Zohaib is Not Playing Today in NZ vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026?

New Zealand are playing their second game of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 against the UAE, who are playing their tournament opener. The contest is being hosted at one of the biggest cricket stadiums in India, the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on a Tuesday afternoon.

UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem won the toss and opted to bat first. Meanwhile, their star batter Muhammad Zohaib wasn't included in the playing for an important clash.

Why Muhammad Zohaib is Not Playing Today?

UAE batter Muhammad Zohaib wasn't included in the team's playing XI for the NZ vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026 match. The reason behind his absence is that the batter has been sent home by the team for "disciplinary reasons" on the eve of their tournament opener.

With Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu at the top, Zohaib had a key role to play in the middle order. The left-hander can also bowl some useful off-spin which could have been crucial in the ongoing event.

The Emirates Cricket Board shared this update on Monday and also stated that more details will be shared later. Aryansh Sharma has been named as Muhammad Zohaib replacement as an opener. However, he couldn't contribute much and was dismissed for just 8 runs by Jacob Duffy, one of the best T20 bowlers in the world.

What is Controversy Between Muhammad Zohaib and Emirates Cricket Board?

Several reports have suggested that Muhammad Zohaib's relationship with the cricket board wasn't good. It has been claimed that he failed to integrate after arriving in India for the tournament, and was also alleged for his bad behavior, specifically off the field. The Board has also accused him of excessive alcohol drinking and personal life matters.

Meanwhile, Zohaib has also accused the Emirates Cricket Board of discrimination and claimed that due to his Pakistani roots, he has been sent back home. The batter played in the two warm-up games of the tournament for the UAE but failed to make a big impact.

However, as he has been sent back to the home, it would be interesting to see how the team performs in his absence. Notably, Zohaib has played 16 T20Is after making his debut in May 2025, scoring 303 runs at an average of 20.20 and a strike rate of 103.76.