Moises Henriques Shifts Allegiance to Portugal for T20 World Cup 2028

Moises Henriques, the former Australian all-rounder, has decided to represent Portugal in a bid to qualify for the T20 World Cup 2028. After a five-year hiatus from international cricket, he aims to expand the game's reach globally. Henriques will compete in the European qualifiers in Finland, facing teams like the Czech Republic and Germany. His transition highlights a trend among former Australian players embracing their heritage to support associate nations. Learn more about his motivations and the implications of this significant career shift.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 1, 2026, 18:20 IST

Moises Henriques Takes a New Path in International Cricket

Former Australian all-rounder Moises Henriques, who was part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad's IPL championship team in 2016, has made a significant change in his cricketing career. After more than five years since his last match for Australia, he has decided to represent Portugal, the country of his birth, in hopes of qualifying for the T20 World Cup 2028, which will take place in Australia and New Zealand. Henriques, who was born in Funchal, Portugal, moved to Australia as a child and will now compete in the European qualifiers scheduled for August in Finland.

In Finland, Portugal will face off against teams from the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, and Israel, all vying for a chance to advance to the next round of qualifiers for the main tournament. Europe has been allocated two qualifying spots, which will join automatic entrants England and Ireland for the major event in 2028. This initial sub-regional competition is a vital step for the Portuguese team.

In an interview with CODE Sports, Henriques expressed his motivation for this decision, highlighting the potential for cricket to grow globally. He stated, “The opportunity for growth in the game around the world is probably not just my Portuguese heritage but, more importantly, the game and the opportunity for growth worldwide. We can improve the quality of all the engagement in, say, another 10 or 20 nations around the world and then you are looking at cricket World Cups that stop the entire world, as opposed to a couple of Western countries and the subcontinent.”

Eligibility of Moises Henriques to Play for Portugal

Moises Henriques is eligible to play for Portugal according to the current regulations set by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The ICC requires a player to complete a standard three-year waiting period after their last international match before they can officially switch from a Full Member country to an Associate Member. Henriques last played for Australia in a T20I against Bangladesh in 2021, which means he is set to make his return to international cricket five years after stepping away from the Australian team. Throughout his career, he has participated in 44 international matches across all formats, accumulating 648 runs and taking 17 wickets.

At 39 years old, Henriques' move reflects a growing trend among former Australian internationals who are leveraging their heritage to support associate teams. His decision follows that of former Australian Test opener Joe Burns, who has also committed to aiding Italy in their T20 World Cup qualification efforts. Notably, Henriques shares his birthplace of Funchal, Madeira, with global football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.