Pakistan-Born Junaid Siddique Scripts T20 World Cup History, 1st UAE Player To...

Pakistan-born Junaid Siddique stars for UAE [Source: @ICC/x]

UAE fast bowler Junaid Siddique ran through Canada’s top and middle-order with a stunning five-wicket haul. Born in Pakistan, the speedster restricted Canada to just 150-7 in match number 20 of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on February 13 in Delhi.

Junaid Siddique picked up sensational figures of 5-35 in his four overs, and picked up three of those wickets in the slog overs to back up his sublime new ball blitz. In doing so, the 33-year-old also scripted a huge T20 World Cup record for the UAE cricket team.

Junaid Siddique bags UAE’s huge T20 World Cup record

Junaid Siddique bagged his career-best T20I figures of 5-35 against Canada in match number 20 of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on February 13.

The spell also marked the best-ever by any UAE cricketer in a T20 World Cup game. Moreover, Siddique’s stunning figures have now made him the first-ever UAE bowler in history to pick up a five-wicket haul at the showpiece event.

As it turned out, Junaid Siddique’s fast bowling teammate Muhammad Jawadullah also chipped in with a wicket as UAE restricted Canada to 150-7 in 20 overs.

Earlier in the day, Canada skipper Dilpreet Bajwa won the toss and opted to bat first. Harsh Thaker in the middle-order composed the lone half-century of the Canada innings with his top-scoring act of 50 off 41 balls.

Who is Junaid Siddique?

Junaid Siddique is one of the many Pakistan-born cricketers who moved to the UAE to pursue his cricketing ambitions.

Born in Multan, the fast bowler made his international debut back in October 2019 during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier for UAE at home. He made his ODI debut a couple of months later with a match against USA in Sharjah.

So far, he has played 63 ODIs and 88 T20I matches for the UAE, picking up a combined tally of 208 international wickets. The 33-year-old continues to remain one of UAE’s most experienced and successful fast bowlers of all time.

UAE desperate for a win to keep T20 World Cup 2026 campaign afloat

Incidentally, just a few days ago, Junaid Siddique leaked 47 runs from his four wicketless overs as New Zealand ran riot over UAE bowlers. Suffering a huge 10-wicket larruping in just 15.2 overs at the hands of the ‘Black Caps’, UAE slipped to number fourth position on the Group D points table with a dismal NRR -2.763.

Chasing 151 in Delhi against Canada, UAE needs to win this match by any margin in a bid to open their account on the five-team Group D standings in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Another defeat here at this stage of the tournament will make it imperative for the UAE team to win their remaining two games. Under the leadership of fellow-Pakistan born Muhammad Waseem, UAE will now face Afghanistan on February 16 and South Africa on February 18.

The two matches will also be hosted by the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.