Published: November 6, 2026 at 12:14 pm
Defending champion UAE Bulls have assembled a formidable squad for their Abu Dhabi T10 title defence, combining some of the biggest match-winners in franchise cricket with an exciting mix of international and UAE talent following the Player Draft held in Abu Dhabi on September 30.
West Indies great Kieron Pollard, who led the Bulls to their maiden Abu Dhabi T10 crown in 2025, returns as the franchise’s Icon Player and will once again be at the heart of their campaign. He is joined by fellow West Indian stars Sunil Narine and Romario Shepherd, giving the champions a powerful core of proven T10 performers.
The Bulls strengthened that core significantly at the draft, adding former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir and Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan, two of the most high-profile selections of the 2026 Player Draft. Sri Lankan fast bowler Nuwan Thushara, Pakistan international Mohammad Wasim Jr, explosive wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan and experienced West Indies batter Andre Fletcher further underline the depth and firepower of the squad.
The 2026 Abu Dhabi T10 will be played from November 7 to 20 at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, with UAE Bulls returning as defending champions for the landmark 10th edition of the competition.
For Pollard, the objective is straightforward: turn last season’s breakthrough championship into the beginning of sustained success.
“Winning the title last season was special, but once you have experienced that feeling, you want it again. We have put together a squad with power, experience, variety and, importantly, players who understand how to win games under pressure. T10 gives you almost no time to recover from mistakes, so having experienced match-winners throughout the squad is a huge advantage. Our challenge now is not to defend what we did last year, but to go out and win the trophy all over again,” said Pollard.
Pollard’s long-time West Indies teammate Sunil Narine adds another layer of experience and tactical flexibility to a squad designed specifically for the demands of the 10-over format. “T10 is a format where every ball can change a game. You need players who are comfortable making quick decisions and taking responsibility, and this squad has plenty of them. Polly, Romario, Amir, Shadab and the rest of the group have played in high-pressure environments all over the world. There is also some exciting younger talent in the squad, so I think we have a very good balance. The goal has to be to keep the trophy with the Bulls,” Narine added.
The Bulls’ recruitment has provided Flower with options in virtually every department. Pollard, Narine, Shepherd, Shadab and Khushdil Shah provide considerable all-round flexibility, while Amir, Thushara, Wasim Jr and Scotland seamer Bradley Currie give the franchise a varied pace attack.
At the other end, Fletcher, Aneurin Donald, Khawaja Nafay, Max Bryant and Azam Khan offer explosive batting options ideally suited to a competition in which momentum can shift within a handful of deliveries.
“We were very clear about the type of squad we wanted to construct. T10 demands power, but power alone isn’t enough. You need adaptability, intelligent bowlers, multi-dimensional cricketers and people who can remain calm when a match changes in the space of two or three deliveries,” said head coach Andy Flower.
“Pollard and Narine bring extraordinary experience, while players such as Amir and Shadab give us additional quality and different ways of influencing a game. We have batting depth, bowling variety and a number of genuine all-round options. Now it is about bringing those individuals together and creating a side capable of winning consistently,” the coach added.
For franchise owner Neelesh Bhatnagar, the 2026 campaign represents another significant chapter for a franchise that has been associated with the Abu Dhabi T10 since its formative years.
The Bulls, who previously competed as Delhi Bulls, reached the final in 2024 before going one step further in 2025, when Pollard captained them to their maiden championship. They subsequently became the first founding franchise confirmed for the new era of the Abu Dhabi T10.
“Last year’s championship was a landmark moment for the Bulls, but our ambition has always been bigger than winning one trophy. We want to build a franchise that consistently competes at the highest level and becomes synonymous with excellence in T10 cricket,” Bhatnagar said.
“When you have names such as Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Romario Shepherd, Mohammad Amir and Shadab Khan in the same dressing room, there is obviously tremendous excitement. But equally important to us is the presence of UAE players and emerging talent. We want the UAE Bulls to represent both international excellence and the continued growth of cricket in the UAE,” he added.
The franchise has further strengthened its coaching setup with the appointment of Peter Moores as assistant coach. A former England head coach, Moores has also enjoyed a distinguished career in English county cricket, winning County Championship titles with Sussex and Lancashire and earning widespread recognition for his work in developing players and building successful teams. He will work alongside head coach Andy Flower as the Bulls prepare to defend their Abu Dhabi T10 crown.
“I am delighted to join UAE Bulls at such an exciting time for the franchise. Andy Flower has built a strong environment, and the squad has an excellent blend of experience, skill and emerging talent. T10 is a demanding format in which preparation, clear thinking and the ability to adapt quickly are vital. I look forward to working with Andy, the players and the wider support staff as we aim to build on last season’s success and challenge for another title,” Moores said.
The presence of Muhammad Rohid, Tahir Zaman and Wali Muhammad, alongside UAE Emerging U21 selection Uddish Suri, also provides a significant local dimension to the squad, while Currie’s inclusion as the Associate Hero further broadens the team’s international composition.
With Pollard’s power and leadership, Narine’s mystery spin, Shepherd’s all-round explosiveness, Amir and Thushara’s pace, Shadab’s versatility and an array of aggressive batting options, the defending champion will enter the tournament with the personnel to attack opponents throughout the 10 overs.
UAE Bulls squad: Kieron Pollard (Icon), Sunil Narine (Platinum), Romario Shepherd (Platinum), Muhammad Rohid (UAE Star), Tahir Zaman (UAE Star), Aneurin Donald, Mohammad Amir, Andre Fletcher, Khawaja Nafay, Nuwan Thushara, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Max Bryant, Azam Khan, Wali Muhammad (UAE Star), Uddish Suri (UAE Emerging – U21), Bradley Currie (Associate Hero), Shadab Khan (Platinum).
UAE coaching staff: Andy Flower (head coach), Peter Moores (assistant coach), Grant Flower (assistant coach), John Gloster (physio), Joe Maiden (analyst), Haider Azhar (team director).
