The cricket teams of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have not been the best in the world, but the country is still enjoying a considerable amount of cricket. One of the main reasons for this cherished state of affairs is the presence of excellent cricket facilities in the country.
Perhaps, you want to hold a multi-team event at short notice? They will be ready. Do you want to stage T20 leagues? They will be ready. Are you unable to host the teams on your home grounds? Just come to the UAE.
These venues in the UAE are not only a warm welcome to the teams but also to the fans, putting them among the best.
The Top Five Cricket Stadiums In The UAE Are Presented Below
1. Dubai International Cricket Stadium
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium is not among the oldest venues in the UAE. You must have already seen how this venue getting involved in the cricket matches since it opened in 2009.
It is a modern facility having almost 25,000 seats for the spectators. Besides, a 360-degree lighting system of the stadium called ‘Ring of Fire’ is a great addition to the venue’s delight.
The first international match of the Dubai-based ground took place in 2009, when an ODI between Pakistan and Australia was played there. The place has been a witness to many such events since then and has even been the home ground for Pakistan on some occasions.
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium has also hosted the IPL, ILT20, and T20 World Cup among other major events.
2. Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium
The Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium is an amazing place for cricket in the UAE. The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) opened the facility in 2004.
The venue hosted its first international encounter 2 years later, in 2006, when archrivals Pakistan and India met in an ODI. An ODI match was played between Pakistan and India thus adding the Abu Dubai located venue to the International circuit.
The Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium has two stands at each end of the pitch and the other two parts have grass banks. The venue is a regular feature for the Abu Dhabi T10 league and ILT20, while also being a host for the IPL and T20 World Cup.
Apart from that, the venue has hosted a lot of Pakistan’s games and is still a preferred venue for Afghanistan. The venue has 20,000 spectators capacity.
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3. Sharjah Cricket Stadium
The Sharjah Cricket Stadium is the oldest venue in the UAE which was established in 1982 and if you have been a cricket fan since the 1980s, there is no doubt you have heard about this stadium.
It may have not been a part of a test-playing nation but the Sharjah Cricket Stadium has been the most frequented by international matches. The main reason was its being a hotbed for hosting several multi-team series in the ODI format, which produced some classic games in the ‘80s, ’90s, and early 2000s.
The days of the 21st century have seen a decline in the multi-team events, but the ground continues to play an important role. The Sharjah venue has seen IPL, T20 World Cup, and ILT20 games played here. Though the shorter boundaries exist, the venue can host 16,000 viewers.
4. ICC Academy Ground
The ICC Academy Ground may not be as much in the limelight as the above-mentioned venues, but it is a world-class facility. The interesting thing is that it is owned by the global governing body of cricket, the International Cricket Council.
Besides, it is next to ICC Headquarters and not far from Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The facility acts as a high-performance center for players to enhance their skills.
The ICC Academy Ground has both indoor and outdoor facilities with pitches of different kinds, training rooms, changing rooms, and technical equipment. Besides that, the venue often holds ODI and T20I games among associate teams.
5. Ajman Oval
The Ajman Oval is the only venue out of the three which has not yet received any international matches but it has all the necessary facilities according to international standards.
The Ajman Oval is in the northern part of the UAE and has a maximum capacity of 5,000 spectators. While it is not yet part of the international circuit, the venue is still considered for domestic games.
