UAE cricket acadamies fly abroad for exposure

Sharjah: UAE’s two popular cricket academies have flown abroad to play in tournaments and gain exposure against top teams.

Desert Cubs Cricket Academy, which finished runner-ups in the Dubai Inter academy tournament, flew to Sri Lanka, while Sharjah Cricket Council’s Sharjah Cricket Academy have travelled to the UK to take part in Sussex Sports Arabia’s Under-13 festival tournament.

Speaking to Gulf News, Persely Polonnowita, the head coach of the Desert Cubs, said: “We are flying to Sri Lanka with 70 budding cricketers from India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan who train with us. We have divided them into five teams based on age from under-11 to under-17 and organised 35 matches against academy teams from Colombo, Kandy and Galle.”

Desert Cubs’ tour is being sponsored by Safa Food Products and co-sponsored by Sharjah International Airport.

Sharjah Academy will play in the Sussex tournament until August 10 in a 40-over tournament against eight teams divided into two groups. Mazhar Khan, the secretary of the Sharjah Cricket Council, said: “Getting to play against the best teams in the UK is a great opportunity, and the players will surely benefit from this exposure to the different conditions.”

The team are being led by coach Mohammad Hyder and assistant coach Gagan. Sharjah Cricket Academy are in group B along with Guernsey, Buckinghamshire and Lancashire. The final will be held on August 9 at Brighton College’s ground.