Moises Henriques is set to represent Portugal in the 2028 Men’s T20 World Cup qualification pathway after switching his international allegiance from Australia, according to a report by Code Sports. The move marks a new chapter for the veteran all-rounder, who was born in Portugal before moving to Australia as a child and has now become eligible to play for his birth nation after completing the ICC’s mandatory three-year stand-down period.
Portugal will begin their campaign in the European sub-regional qualifier in Finland in August as they attempt to progress through the qualification pathway for the 2028 Men’s T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
Henriques brings vast international and domestic experience
Henriques arrives with a wealth of experience accumulated across international cricket and the global T20 circuit. He represented Australia in 44 international matches, featuring in four Tests, 16 One-Day Internationals and 24 T20 Internationals before making his last appearance for the national side in 2021.
Across a professional T20 career spanning domestic and franchise competitions around the world, Henriques has played 301 matches, scoring 5,747 runs at an average of 26.48, including 27 half-centuries, while also taking 120 wickets to establish himself as one of the most accomplished all-rounders on the global T20 circuit.
His domestic career has been equally decorated. Henriques captained the Sydney Sixers to back-to-back Big Bash League titles in 2019-20 and 2020-21 after helping the franchise win the inaugural BBL in 2011-12. He was also part of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s IPL-winning squad in 2016, won two Champions League T20 titles and lifted multiple domestic trophies with New South Wales, including the Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup.
Opportunity extends beyond personal ambition
Explaining the decision in an interview with Code Sports, Henriques said: “I guess the opportunity for growth in the game around the world is probably not just my Portuguese heritage, but the game, more importantly, and the opportunity for growth worldwide.”
The 39-year-old’s move comes as more experienced players explore opportunities to represent Associate nations under the ICC’s eligibility regulations, bringing additional experience to developing cricket countries seeking to raise their competitive standards on the international stage.
“We can improve the quality of all the engagement in, say, another 10 or 20 nations around the world, and then you’re looking at cricket World Cups that stop the entire world, as opposed to a couple of Western countries and the subcontinent,” he added.
Portugal prepare for qualification campaign
Henriques is expected to make his Portugal debut during the European sub-regional qualifier in Finland, where the side will begin its bid to secure progression towards the 2028 Men’s T20 World Cup. His arrival gives Portugal an experienced international cricketer with more than 300 T20 appearances as they look to strengthen their qualification hopes.
