Former Australia all-rounder Moises Henriques has been named captain of Portugal for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Sub-Regional Qualifier C, handing the 39-year-old immediate leadership responsibility as he begins the second chapter of his international career. Cricket Portugal confirmed Henriques’ appointment on Tuesday, with the former Australia international set to lead a 14-member squad in Finland as Portugal attempt to move closer to a maiden appearance at the Men’s T20 World Cup.
The development comes only weeks after Henriques ended his 22-year career in Australian domestic cricket. It had already been confirmed that the Portugal-born all-rounder would represent his country of birth in the 2028 T20 World Cup qualification pathway, but the decision to place him in charge of the side significantly expands his role.
Henriques played 44 internationals for Australia across formats, comprising four Tests, 16 ODIs and 24 T20Is. His final appearance came in a T20I against Bangladesh in Dhaka in August 2021.
Henriques begins new chapter with Portugal
Born in Funchal on the Portuguese island of Madeira, Henriques moved to Australia as a child and subsequently built a lengthy career in the country’s domestic system. His Australian career formally ended last month when he retired from New South Wales and the Sydney Sixers. Henriques finished with 420 appearances for NSW and the Sixers across first-class, List A and T20 cricket, making him the most-capped player for Australian domestic teams. He also played in all 15 completed seasons of the Big Bash League and captained the Sixers in 129 matches.
Announcing that decision in July, Henriques had hinted at the significance of what was coming next.
“After a bit of deliberation, I’ve decided it’s time for me to call stumps on my BBL career and playing commitments with NSW,” Henriques said, before adding that he was ready to “start looking forward to the next chapter of my life.”
That next chapter will now begin not merely as a Portugal player, but as their captain. Henriques brings considerable leadership experience to an Associate side chasing an unprecedented World Cup berth. He led the Sixers to successive BBL championships in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons and finished his time at the club as their leading men’s run-scorer with 3,410 runs.
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Portugal have been drawn alongside Israel, Germany, Greece and Czechia in their group at the qualifier in Finland. They begin their campaign against Israel on August 14 before facing Germany on August 15, Greece on August 17 and Czechia on August 20. The ten-team competition runs from August 14 to 21 across Kerava and Vantaa. The two group winners will meet in the final on August 21, with the tournament champion progressing to the next stage of European qualification for the 2028 World Cup.
The eventual European pathway remains demanding. Under the ICC’s revised qualification system for the 2028 tournament, two European teams will advance to the 16-team Global Qualifier, from which the remaining eight places at the World Cup will be decided. For Henriques, however, the immediate task is Finland — and Portugal have entrusted their World Cup ambitions to a captain who, until five years ago, was still playing international cricket for Australia.