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
UAE Grants Citizenship to 5 Cricketers Including Pakistanis in Historic First The United Arab Emirates has made a groundbreaking move in international cricket by granting full citizenship to five foreign-born players, including two Pakistanis, marking the first time the country has naturalized cricketers for national representation. This decision, announced in the context of UAE’s growing ambitions to establish itself as a premier cricket hub in Asia, removes previous eligibility barriers and signals a strategic shift in how the nation attracts and integrates talent. The five players—Khuzaima Tanveer, Adeeb Usmani, Ajay Kumar, Akshdeep Nath, and Harpreet Singh Bhatia—now hold UAE citizenship, enabling them to compete as official nationals in upcoming matches. The naturalization of these players, particularly the two with strong Pakistani roots, has sparked discussions about the implications for talent flow from South Asia. Khuzaima Tanveer, a right-arm fast bowler born in Faisalabad, Pakistan, and Adeeb Usmani, a wicket-keeper with Pakistani heritage, have both contributed significantly to UAE’s cricket development over recent years. Their inclusion in the UAE squad, which is currently competing in Nepal for T20Is and an ODI tri-series, underscores the country’s commitment to building a competitive team. The move also highlights the UAE’s efforts to create long-term opportunities for players, as the previous three-year residency rule for eligibility has been lifted for these individuals. UAE’s investment in cricket infrastructure has been a key factor in attracting talent.#united_arab_emirates #khuzaima_tanveer #adeeb_usmani #sheikh_zayed_stadium #dubai_international_cricket_stadium
