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Former Australian cricket star Moises Henriques is stepping up for a brand-new challenge. He has officially been named the captain of Portugal’s national cricket team as they attempt to qualify for the ICC Twenty20 (T20) World Cup for the very first time. The 39-year-old all-rounder enjoyed a fantastic career in Australia before stepping away from their domestic cricket scene last year. Now, Henriques, who has a connection with football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, is bringing his vast cricketing experience back to his home country.
Who is Moises Henriques, and what is his cricket background?
Henriques is an experienced player who brings 44 international appearances to a Portugal team eager to make a mark on the global stage. During his run with the Australian national team, he played four Test matches, 16 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and 24 T20 matches. He last suited up for Australia in 2021. In domestic cricket, Henriques is best known for his long and successful time playing for New South Wales and the Sydney Sixers.
How is Henriques connected to Cristiano Ronaldo?
Moises Henriques and Cristiano Ronaldo share a unique connection through their birthplace. Both athletes were born on the small Portuguese island of Madeira. In fact, their connection is even more specific, as Henriques once revealed in an interview that he was actually born in the exact same hospital as the football superstar.
Portugal’s ICC T20 World Cup qualification path
Portugal is getting ready to compete in the T20 World Cup Europe Sub-Regional Qualifier C. The tournament will take place in Finland and runs from August 14 to August 20. To keep their World Cup dreams alive, Portugal faces a challenging path
Currently ranked 37th in the ICC men’s T20I rankings, Portugal has been placed in Group B. In the group stage, they must face off against and defeat Israel, Germany, Greece, and the Czech Republic.
The winners of the groups will advance to the tournament’s final match. The overall winner of this tournament will move on to the European regional final, where they will join strong teams like Scotland, Jersey, and Denmark.
Finally, the top two teams from the regional event will secure places in the global qualifier for the 2028 T20 World Cup, which will be hosted in Australia and New Zealand.
