Harpreet Singh Bhatia to take indefinite break from cricket due to mother’s illness

Dubai, 21 October 2026: The Emirates Cricket Board has accepted Harpreet Singh Bhatia’s request to take an indefinite break from cricket due to his mother’s illness. The middle-order batter will be travelling to India to be with his mother who is based there.  

Harpreet made his UAE debut in Nepal in April this year – both ODI and T20I formats. In all, he has represented the UAE in 17 international matches (12 ODIs, five T20Is). The left-hander has so far captained the team in eight ODIs and three T20I matches. Harpreet also captained the ODI team in the recently concluded ICC CWC League 2 tri-series which was played in Dallas earlier this month. 

Harpreet Singh Bhatia: “My mother’s health and wellbeing is my top most priority and I am grateful to the Emirates Cricket Board for accepting my request of taking a break from cricket as well as all the support the board has given me in recent days and months. For now, my full focus is my mother’s health and well-being. I wish the team the very best for their upcoming fixtures.”

Emirates Cricket Board statement: “The Emirates Cricket Board offers its full support to Harpreet and his family in this difficult time. The board is fully committed to the mental health and well-being of all its players and support staff especially when they have challenges pertaining to their families.

“We thank Harpreet for his professionalism and commitment to the ECB and the UAE Men’s National Cricket Team. We are all praying for his mother and wish her a full recovery at the earliest.” 

UAE’s squad and the new captain for the upcoming ICC CWC League 2 tri-series – UAE, Oman and Papua New Guinea – will be announced in the next few days. All six series matches will be played at the ICC Academy Oval 1, Dubai – Sunday, 25 October to Wednesday, 4 November. 

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