Top News

Five cricketers have become the first to receive UAE citizenship through naturalisation, marking a structural shift in the country’s cricketing framework. Khuzaima Tanveer, Ajay Kumar, Akshdeep Nath, Harpreet Bhatia and Adeeb Usmani are now officially Emirati nationals, moving beyond the traditional residency-based eligibility that has defined UAE cricket.

The development comes as part of the squad currently touring Nepal for T20Is and an ODI tri-series, providing immediate international representation eligibility through citizenship rather than ICC residency criteria.

Citizenship through naturalisation refers to a legal process where a foreign national acquires nationality after fulfilling specific requirements or through special provisions. In the UAE, this route has historically been restrictive, often linked to long-term residency and language requirements. However, recent policy changes have enabled citizenship grants by merit, particularly for individuals contributing to national sectors, including sport.

Cricket in the UAE has largely operated on expatriate participation, where players qualified after three years of residence under ICC rules. The new development alters that structure, placing these players in a different category with passport-backed eligibility. This distinction reduces administrative barriers and offers long-term stability compared to renewable residency permits.

Speaking to The National, Ajay Kumar said,

“From the day I landed in the UAE, it was my dream to represent the country at the international level. Now I am getting this chance and all thanks to UAE, the support staff, and I have really been helped by playing domestic and club level cricket.”

Read also: Rashid Khan offered Indian citizenship, spinner turns down request pledging to continue for Afghanistan

Khuzaima Tanveer described the opportunity as significant, stating,

“If you get this opportunity to represent your country, it is a feeling that is out of this world for any player.”

He also acknowledged the role of domestic competitions such as ILT20 and Abu Dhabi T10 in shaping his progress.

The move aligns UAE cricket with other sports in the country, where citizenship has been granted to athletes through government decrees since 2018. With the team preparing for matches in Nepal, the inclusion of citizen players adds a new dimension to squad composition.

While the immediate impact lies in eligibility and representation, the broader implication remains structural, as UAE cricket transitions from a residency-based system to one incorporating nationality-backed participation.