Abu Dhabi cricket gets big boost

Abu Dhabi: Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) on Thursday signed a three-year agreement with Abu Dhabi Cricket Club to become associate club partners.

The wide-ranging agreement will enable MCC to use the Zayed International Cricket Stadium — where Pakistan and New Zealand are currently playing a series of one-day internationals — and the Zayed Cricket Academy in Abu Dhabi.

The academy will be re-named the Zayed MCC Cricket Academy, Abu Dhabi.

The partnership will also see the two clubs working together to develop the facilities in Abu Dhabi and promote the game and spirit of cricket in the region.

MCC chairman Oliver Stocken and Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Cricket Club, signed the three-year agreement.

MCC's secretary and chief executive, Keith Bradshaw, who was also in attendance at the signing, said: "We're thrilled to be in partnership with Abu Dhabi Cricket Club. It's a first for MCC in the Middle East region and gives us a tremendous opportunity to help develop cricketers throughout the region and closer to home.

"Aspiring professionals from the MCC universities and MCC young cricketers will specifically benefit from this joint venture as it will give them vital experience of playing and training abroad, helping them to make the transition to the first-class game.

"We hope this agreement aids the growth of the sport in the region and look forward to working with Abu Dhabi Cricket Club."

The MCC-Abu Dhabi CC partnership also includes advertising rights at the Zayed stadium and reciprocal member rights such as accommodation and facility hire discounts, and ticket allocations at Lord's and the Zayed stadium.

Dilawar Mani, CEO, Abu Dhabi Cricket Club, said it was a boost for UAE cricket and aspiring juniors.