UAE Cricket
The World's Neutral Venue Hub & Cricket's Gateway to the Middle East
Cricket Overview
The United Arab Emirates has become one of cricket's most important venues, serving as the neutral home for international cricket when teams cannot play in their own countries. The Emirates Cricket Board was founded in 1989, and the UAE became an ICC Associate Member in 1990. The country has three international-standard cricket venues -- the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, and the Sharjah Cricket Stadium -- all of which have hosted major international matches including Test cricket.
The UAE served as Pakistan's home for international cricket from 2009 to 2019 after the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team's bus in Lahore made it impossible for Pakistan to host matches. During this decade, some of the most memorable Test, ODI, and T20I matches involving Pakistan were played on UAE soil. The UAE also hosted complete seasons of the Indian Premier League in 2020 and part of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing its ability to host large-scale cricket tournaments with world-class facilities.
The ICC Academy in Dubai serves as a centre of excellence for cricket development in the region, offering high-performance coaching and playing facilities. The UAE's own national team has competed in the ICC Cricket World Cup (1996) and multiple T20 World Cups. The Sharjah Cricket Stadium holds a special place in cricket history, having hosted more ODIs than any other ground in the world, including the famous Sharjah Cup tournaments of the 1980s and 1990s that became legendary in the subcontinent.
Notable Players
Players who have represented UAE cricket
Ahmed Raza
UAE - Left-arm Spinner / Captain
Chirag Suri
UAE - Top-order Batter
Khurram Khan
UAE - Batter (Retired)
Mohammad Naveed
UAE - Fast Bowler
Cricket Achievements
-
🏆
1996 Cricket World Cup Participation
The UAE participated in the 1996 ICC Cricket World Cup held in the Indian subcontinent, their first and only 50-over World Cup appearance.
-
🏅
Pakistan's Neutral Home (2009-2019)
Hosted over 100 international matches as Pakistan's neutral venue, including Tests, ODIs, and T20Is against major cricketing nations.
-
⭐
IPL 2020 & 2021 Host
Successfully hosted the entire IPL 2020 season and the first half of IPL 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating world-class hosting capability.
-
🏈
Sharjah Cricket Stadium: Most ODIs Hosted
Sharjah has hosted more ODIs than any other cricket ground in the world, including the famous Sharjah Cup tournaments.
-
⚡
ICC Academy in Dubai
Home of the ICC Academy, a global centre of excellence for cricket development, coaching, and high-performance training.
Frequently Asked Questions
The UAE has become a major cricket hosting nation due to its world-class facilities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, its strategic location between Asia and Europe, excellent year-round weather, and modern infrastructure. The country served as Pakistan's neutral home from 2009-2019 and hosted the IPL during COVID-19, cementing its reputation as a reliable and capable host for major cricket events.
Sharjah Cricket Stadium is one of the most historically significant cricket venues in the world. It has hosted more ODIs than any other ground, with the Sharjah Cup tournaments of the 1980s and 1990s becoming iconic events, particularly for subcontinental cricket. The famous "Sharjah Desert Storm" match in 1998, where Sachin Tendulkar struck two magnificent centuries against Australia, remains one of cricket's most celebrated moments.
The UAE qualified for the 1996 ICC Cricket World Cup, which was held in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. They played matches against some of the world's top teams during the tournament. The UAE has also participated in multiple ICC Men's T20 World Cup tournaments, competing in the qualifying stages and the main event. Their national team continues to develop through the ICC's Associate Member pathway events.