Former Australian All-Rounder Moises Henriques to Lead Portugal’s T20 World Cup Bid

Moises Henriques of Australia (second from left), and Cristiano Ronaldo

In a significant development for Portuguese cricket, former Australia all-rounder Moises Henriques has been named captain of Portugal’s national squad as they embark on their quest to qualify for the T20 World Cup for the first time. This surprising move marks a new chapter for the seasoned cricketer and offers a major boost to the aspiring European cricketing nation.

Henriques, who represented Australia in four Tests, 16 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 24 T20 Internationals (T20Is), will lead Portugal’s 14-member squad in the upcoming T20 World Cup Europe Sub-Regional Qualifier C in Finland. The announcement, made by the Portuguese Cricket Federation on Tuesday, has generated considerable excitement within the cricket community.

Interestingly, Henriques shares a unique connection with Portugal’s most famous sporting icon. He was born in Madeira, the very hometown of football legend Cristiano Ronaldo, before his family relocated to Australia during his childhood. This geographical link adds an intriguing layer to his new leadership role.

Henriques’ last international appearance for Australia was in August 2021, a T20I match against Bangladesh. He became eligible to represent Portugal in June, having successfully completed the mandatory three-year cooling-off period required for players switching allegiance from an ICC Full Member nation to an Associate nation.

Last month, Henriques declared his retirement from Australian domestic cricket, though he affirmed his commitment to continue playing overseas. He currently holds a contract with Glasgow Cosmic for the inaugural season of the European T20 Premier League. His appointment as Portugal’s captain for the T20 World Cup qualifying campaign in Finland, announced on Monday, underscores his ongoing dedication to the sport.

Portugal, currently ranked 37th in the ICC men’s T20I rankings, faces a challenging road ahead. They are placed in Group B of the T20 World Cup Europe Sub-Regional Qualifier C, where they will compete against Israel, Germany, Greece, and Czechia. The matches are scheduled to take place from August 14 to 20. The winner of Group B will then face the winner of Group A in the final on August 21.

The stakes are high for Henriques and his team. The champion of this qualifier will advance to the European regional final, where they will be joined by cricketing powerhouses Scotland, Jersey, and Denmark. From that regional final, the top two teams will earn their coveted spots in the global qualifier, taking them one step closer to realizing their dream of participating in the 2028 T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The Portuguese squad boasts a mix of experienced and promising talent. Notable inclusions feature Craig Cachopa, the former wicketkeeper-batter for Sussex, Auckland, and Wellington; Cameron Shekleton, who has previously represented South Africa A; Sebastian de Oliveira, who played a List A match for Gauteng alongside Ryan Rickelton; and Bangladesh-born spinner Siraj Ullah Khadem, who was on the longlist for this year’s Hundred auction. Henriques takes over the captaincy from Carlos Nunes, who leads Twickenham in the Middlesex County Cricket League in England but remains a valuable member of the 14-man squad.