Five UAE cricketers given citizenship through naturalisation Five cricketers have been granted UAE citizenship through naturalisation, marking a significant milestone for the country’s cricketing landscape. Khuzaima Tanveer, Ajay Kumar, Akshdeep Nath, Harpreet Singh Bhatia, and Adeeb Usmani are the first players in cricket history to receive UAE citizenship via this process. They are part of a 17-member squad currently in Nepal for a series of matches, including two T20 Internationals and an ODI tri-series. This development comes as the UAE continues to expand its sports infrastructure, with football, rugby, and judo players having previously received citizenship under a presidential decree in 2018. Cricket, however, has traditionally relied on expatriates qualifying through the ICC’s eligibility criteria, which requires a three-year residency in the UAE. The new naturalisation process allows these players to represent the UAE without needing to meet the residency requirement, effectively integrating them into the national team. Kumar, one of the five players, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent the UAE. “From the day I landed in the UAE, it was my dream to represent the country at the international level,” he said in an interview with The National. “Now I am getting this chance, and all thanks to UAE, the support staff, and the domestic and club cricket I’ve played. They have been looking after us really well. The management has been supportive throughout the whole journey. I am grateful to the board and all the cricket fraternity. I am really excited to represent this country and do well for them.” Khuzaima Tanveer echoed similar sentiments, calling the opportunity “a feeling that is out of this world for any player.#uae #ajay_kumar #khuzaima_tanveer #akshdeep_nath #harpreet_singh_bhatia
