When Muhammad Waseem, captain of the UAE cricket team took the field at UAE vs Bangladesh 1st T20ISharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday, May 17, 2025, the excitement was palpable. Across the pitch, Litton Das, Bangladesh captain adjusted his helmet, ready to lead a side eager to fine‑tune its game ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. The match, kicking off at 8:30 PM IST (7:00 PM local, 3:00 PM GMT), is more than a warm‑up; it’s a litmus test for two teams on opposite ends of the cricketing spectrum.
Series Overview
The two‑match series, hosted in the UAE, will be played on consecutive Saturdays – May 17 and May 19 – at the same venue. While the first encounter is a one‑off showdown, the second will give both sides a chance to adjust tactics. The toss is slated for 8:00 PM IST, giving fans a few minutes of pre‑match analysis on TV and digital platforms.
Team Line‑ups and Captains
UAE’s UAE Cricket Board has reinstated Waseem as captain after a brief hiatus in 2024. He stepped away to focus on his ODI batting but returned for this crucial series. Supporting him are prolific T20 scorers like Alishan Sharafu and the fast‑bowling trio of Jawadullah, Asif Khan, and Muhammad Zuhaib. The squad’s depth reflects its recent triumph in the Gulf T20 Championship, where the Emiratis edged Kuwait in December 2024.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, is under the fresh stewardship of Litton Das, who succeeded Najmul Hossain Shanto earlier this year. Mahedi Hasan sits beside him as deputy, a role that will become vital if Das needs to juggle batting duties with field placements. The Tigers’ roster mixes seasoned campaigners such as Mustafizur Rahman and Soumya Sarkar with young pace prospects like Tanvir Islam and Rishad Hossain. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) sees the series as “an important step in building team cohesion and testing bench strength.”
How to Watch – Broadcast and Streaming Options
If you’re in India, the match will not air on traditional TV. Instead, fans must turn to the FanCode app and website for a live stream – the service is the exclusive digital rights holder for the sub‑continent. In the UAE, cricket lovers can catch the game on Cricbuzz (MENA region) or via the Sportseye YouTube channel, both offering free streams without a TV broadcast.
Bangladeshi audiences have a slightly easier time: T‑Sports will televise the match on its dedicated channel, and the same feed is available through the T‑Sports website and mobile app. The broadcast rights ripple outward: Geo Super will cater to Pakistani fans, Willow TV serves viewers in the United States and Canada, and Sportseye/YouTube picks up the rest of the world.
For those who prefer a one‑stop shop, the match will also be available on the official ICC live‑scoreboard and accompanying commentary feed, complete with ball‑by‑ball updates and post‑match analysis.
Strategic Importance and Preparations
Bangladesh’s primary goal is preparation. After a solid 3‑0 series win against the West Indies in December 2024, the Tigers stumbled against India and the USA in subsequent bilateral series, and they failed to make a deep run at the 2024 T20 World Cup. The series against UAE offers a low‑pressure environment to experiment with batting orders and test the bench.
From the UAE perspective, the match is a chance to showcase growth. Having not played a T20I since December 2024, the Emiratis are eager to prove that the recent Gulf Championship win wasn’t a flash‑in‑the‑pan. Their familiarity with Sharjah’s slow‑turning pitches – a factor that helped them in the ILT20 just weeks ago – could give them a subtle edge over the more experienced Bangladeshi unit.
According to Ali Al Marzouqi, spokesperson for the UAE Cricket Board, “playing a Full Member nation like Bangladesh provides invaluable experience for our developing players and demonstrates how far our domestic programs have come.”
Venue, Weather and Pitch Conditions
Sharjah Cricket Stadium, established in 1982, seats about 16,000 spectators and has been a mainstay of Middle‑East cricket. The venue’s pitch traditionally offers a balanced contest between bat and ball, with the surface slowing after the halfway mark. Weather forecasts for the weekend predict clear skies, low humidity, and temperatures hovering around 35 °C – typical for late May in Sharjah.
Those conditions mean teams will need to manage the ball’s swing early on and then adapt to a slower, more spin‑friendly surface later. UAE’s bowlers, accustomed to the late‑day bounce, may try to exploit that advantage, while Bangladesh’s experienced seamers will aim to keep the ball tight in the powerplay.
Looking Ahead – What Comes After Sharjah?
Once the two‑match series wraps on May 19, Bangladesh will head straight into a five‑match T20I showdown against Pakistan later in June. The experience gained in Sharjah – especially the work of the bench players – could prove decisive in that high‑stakes series. For the UAE, the next big test will be a home series against Sri Lanka in August, where they’ll aim to consolidate the momentum built in Sharjah.
Ultimately, the match is a microcosm of cricket’s evolving landscape: emerging nations seeking credibility, established sides fine‑tuning their squads, and fans turning to digital platforms for every ball. Whether you’re cheering for the underdog Emiratis or the Tigers, the game promises plenty of drama, and plenty of cricket.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can Indian fans watch the UAE vs Bangladesh T20I?
Indian viewers must use the FanCode app or visit the FanCode website for a live stream. There is no television broadcast in India for this match.
What is the significance of this series for Bangladesh?
The series acts as a rehearsal ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup and a preparatory platform before a high‑profile five‑match T20I series against Pakistan. It also allows the new captain, Litton Das, to cement his leadership style.
Why did Muhammad Waseem return as UAE captain?
Waseem stepped down in October 2024 to focus on his ODI batting but was reinstated for this series because the board wanted an experienced leader familiar with Sharjah conditions to guide the young side.
Where can viewers outside the UAE and Bangladesh watch the match?
Geo Super covers Pakistan, Willow TV streams to the United States and Canada, and the rest of the world can tune in via the Sportseye YouTube channel, which offers a free live feed.
What pitch conditions can teams expect at Sharjah?
The surface starts out balanced, offering swing for seamers in the early overs, then slows down, becoming more conducive to spin as the innings progresses. Clear skies and warm temperatures are forecast, so hydration will be key.
