Look: How the Asia Cup went on a tour of Sharjah

Sharjah is the home of the Asia Cup, since the inaugural edition was held in the emirate in 1984. As the event returns to the UAE for the fourth time, Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, unveiled the trophy at a special ceremony. The trophy was taken on a tour of the iconic sites of Sharjah, and the first stop was the waterfalls at the Khor Fakkan Amphitheatre.

The Asia Cup moved on to the impressive Khor Fakkan Amphitheatre, inspired by Roman architecture. It has fast-becoming a celebrated local landmark, with people flocking every weekend. Sharjah Cricket Stadium will host two of the six preliminary league matches.

The Asia Cup makes a stop at the Al Rafisah Dam at the base of the Hajar Mountains near Khor Fakkan during a tour of Sharjah. Asian Cricket Council President Jay Shah said: “A trophy tour is a great way to get fans excited about the upcoming Asia Cup matches being hosted at two iconic stadiums in Sharjah and Dubai. We are grateful to the SCTDA [Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority] for offering us some spectacular locations to showcase the trophy and making it such a memorable experience for all.”

The Asia Cup at the Al Rafisah Dam on the Wadi Shie, a seasonal waterway in the Hajar Mountains that runs to Khor Fakkan on the east coast of Sharjah. Built in the 1980s, the dam now has a new visitor centre and a rest area.

A spot of dune bashing for the Asia Cup at the Mleiha Desert in Sharjah. The emirate was played a pioneering role in bringing international cricket to the Middle East. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, said, “The SCTDA is doing such a fantastic job promoting Sharjah as a truly global destination and this trophy tour organised with their support is a great way to showcase the art and culture, natural beauty and world-class hospitality one can expect when they visit our beautiful home.”

Cricket in the desert was a pipedream, since the game was first played on the village greens of England. Sharjah changed that notion with a cricket stadium that host international games between India and Pakistan. And the first Asia Cup was held in the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in 1984.

A camel stops by to have a look at the Asia Cup, which went on a tour of Sharjah. The emirate is hosting two of six preliminary games in the 15th edition of the cricket tournament.