It was nearly six months ago that I was contacted to write on UAE cricket for the Wisden Almanack’s first Indian edition. Having grown up scanning the pages of the historic reference book every year for a peep into the history of the game and players, I considered it a big honour.
What made it really special was the opportunity to write on UAE cricket that, at one time, had to struggle for existence. There were no grounds here only dunes and the first pitches were born out of the marks left by heavy trucks that drove through the sand, making it possible to play the game.
From such beginnings, to rise to a level of being considered worthy enough to have its activities recorded in a publication like Wisden, reputed as the best compiler of cricket activities around the world, reflects the growth of the game here.
Today, the UAE, with three international cricket stadiums and numerous turf grounds, has some of the best facilities for the game. Cricket is played non-stop even in the hottest summer. The game has spread and grown to such heights purely due to the deep passion for this sport among the lovers of the game here.
There are thousands here who hate to miss a weekend without playing in a tournament. The Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman cricket councils and even private tournaments in Umm Al Quwain and Al Ain ensure they provide as many tournaments as possible. People here play the game for the sheer love of it, unlike in Test-playing nations where there is a possibility of turning professional. In fact, what makes it special is that the players representing the UAE sacrifice their annual leave from their jobs to play international cricket. Despite being amateurs, the UAE have climbed up the rankings and beaten teams represented by professional players.
To ensure a new generation of cricketers, private academies and the councils’ academies are grooming young talent every day. For a cricketer genuinely interested in sharpening his skills, facilities here are enormous, including the state-of-the-art International Cricket Council Global Cricket Academy.
UAE is also the home for Pakistan and Afghanistan to stage their international matches owing to security threats in their countries. And many nations use the facilities here for their off-season training, so the UAE is also contributing to lifting the game’s overall international standards. The UAE’s service to world cricket is undoubtedly on a par with that of Test-playing nations and hence deserves further honours.
