Moeen Ali to lead star-studded Arabian Aces in Abu Dhabi T10 2026; franchise unveils jersey in Dubai

- November 05, 2026 , by Maagulf

Dubai: Arabian Aces, one of the franchises competing in the upcoming Abu Dhabi T10 2026, officially unveiled their team jersey at a glittering launch event in Dubai on Wednesday, signalling their intent to make a strong impression in cricket’s fastest professional format.

Led by England all-rounder Moeen Ali, the Arabian Aces boast an exciting combination of international superstars, experienced T10 specialists and promising UAE cricketers. The franchise has assembled a formidable squad featuring three icon players: Moeen Ali, Andre Russell and Liam Livingstone; alongside a strong supporting cast that includes Sam Billings, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Imran Tahir, Dwaine Pretorius and Alzarri Joseph. Also present in the squad are UAE’s best in Alishan Sharafu and Vriitya Aravind.

The jersey launch brought together the franchise’s ownership and management, with players, support staff and key stakeholders expected to be part of the celebrations ahead of the new season.

The Arabian Aces will compete in the Abu Dhabi T10, scheduled to take place from 7 to 20 November 2026 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Born to Ace. Driven to Win.

Built around the philosophy of “Born to Ace. Driven to Win.”, the Arabian Aces aim to establish themselves as more than just another cricket franchise.

The team’s philosophy centres on ambition, unity and excellence, with an emphasis on fearless cricket, a winning mindset and an environment where world-class experience meets emerging talent.

Beyond performances on the field, the franchise is committed to inspiring fans, nurturing talent and building a lasting legacy in UAE cricket.

For Arabian Aces, being an Ace is not simply about winning matches, but about setting standards, inspiring confidence and leaving a lasting mark on the sport.

Pankaj Jain, Co-owner of Arabian Aces, said:

“Arabian Aces represents our ambition to create a franchise that stands for excellence, professionalism and a fearless approach to cricket. We have brought together some of the most exciting names in world cricket, but our vision extends well beyond one tournament. We want to build a team that fans can identify with, that young cricketers can aspire to represent and that contributes meaningfully to the growth of cricket in the UAE. Our philosophy, ‘Born to Ace. Driven to Win.’, reflects exactly what we want this franchise to stand for.”

Neeraj Jain, Co-owner of Arabian Aces, added:

“The Abu Dhabi T10 has established itself as an exciting platform for international cricket, and we are delighted to be part of its journey. Our objective has been to put together a competitive squad while creating a strong professional structure around the players. The combination of established international performers and talented UAE cricketers is particularly exciting for us. We believe Arabian Aces can become a franchise with a distinct identity and a strong connection with cricket fans across the region.”

Moeen Ali to lead an explosive squad

The appointment of Moeen Ali as captain provides the Arabian Aces with a leader who brings extensive international experience, tactical awareness and a deep understanding of franchise cricket.

The former England all-rounder, who has won both the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, will lead a squad featuring some of the most destructive players in the shortest format.

Andre Russell and Liam Livingstone bring extraordinary power-hitting capabilities, while Sam Billings and Tom Kohler-Cadmore offer experience and versatility in the batting department.

The bowling attack will feature the pace and aggression of Alzarri Joseph, the experience of Dwaine Pretorius and Richard Gleeson, and the leg-spin expertise of veteran Imran Tahir.

The presence of UAE players Alishan Sharafu and Vriitya Aravind also underlines the franchise’s commitment to providing opportunities for local talent to compete alongside international stars.

Moeen Ali, Captain of Arabian Aces, said:

“I’m really excited to lead Arabian Aces in the Abu Dhabi T10. We have an outstanding group of players, with a great mix of experience, power and skill. In T10 cricket, you have to be positive from the very first ball, and that is exactly the kind of cricket we want to play. Having players like Andre Russell and Liam Livingstone in the squad gives us tremendous firepower, while the bowling options provide us with plenty of flexibility. Our focus will be on playing fearless cricket, enjoying the challenge and giving our supporters plenty to cheer about.”

Lance Klusener to guide Arabian Aces

Former South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener has been appointed Head Coach of the Arabian Aces, bringing considerable experience as both an international cricketer and a coach across international and franchise competitions.

One of the most celebrated all-rounders of his generation, Klusener was named Player of the Tournament at the 1999 ICC Cricket World Cup and has subsequently built an extensive coaching career.

He will be assisted by former cricketer Trevor Penney, an experienced coach who has worked with international teams and leading franchise sides around the world.

The coaching and support structure has been designed to provide the players with comprehensive technical, tactical, analytical and medical support throughout the tournament.

Lance Klusener, Head Coach of Arabian Aces, said:

“T10 cricket is an incredibly demanding format because there is very little room for error. Every delivery matters, and teams have to be clear about their plans while remaining flexible enough to adapt quickly. We have assembled a squad with tremendous experience and match-winning ability. Moeen is an excellent leader, and the presence of players like Russell, Livingstone, Tahir and Joseph gives us a number of exciting combinations. My job is to make sure we prepare well, understand our roles and play the aggressive brand of cricket that this format demands.”

Building a franchise for the future

The Arabian Aces management believes that a successful franchise requires more than assembling a group of high-profile cricketers.

With a professional management structure, experienced coaching personnel and a clear long-term vision, the franchise is looking to establish a strong identity within the Abu Dhabi T10 ecosystem.

Shoeb Ahmed, Chief Operating Officer of Arabian Aces, said:

“The launch of our jersey is an important milestone for Arabian Aces as we prepare for our first campaign. A tremendous amount of planning has gone into building this franchise, from player recruitment and coaching appointments to team operations and our overall brand identity. We want Arabian Aces to be recognised for professionalism, innovation and an uncompromising commitment to excellence. We are equally focused on creating meaningful engagement with fans and stakeholders while providing our players with the best possible environment to succeed.”

The jersey unveiling marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for Arabian Aces, with the franchise now turning its attention to the tournament in Abu Dhabi.

With an explosive squad, an experienced coaching team and ambitious ownership, the Arabian Aces will be aiming to translate their philosophy into performances when the competition gets underway on 7 November.

Arabian Aces – Full Squad for Abu Dhabi T10 2026

1. Moeen Ali (Captain)

2. Andre Russell

3. Liam Livingstone

4. Alishan Sharafu

5. Muhammad Arfan

6. Tom Kohler-Cadmore

7. Richard Gleeson

8. Sam Billings

9. Paul Walter

10. Alzarri Joseph

11. Imran Tahir