Abu Dhabi: The UAE's success while playing host to some of the world's best sporting events is now a well-recognised and well-recorded fact. But what has been of equal importance is UAE's role in stepping in to play a second-home to some countries it has unconditionally thrown open its facilities for the larger benefit of sport.
Iraq has used the UAE to play most of its home football matches during turbulent times in the country while Afghanistan is also using the UAE as a second home to develop its cricket team.
Since 2007, Pakistan has played most of its homes series international cricket matches in the UAE and this in turn has catapulted the UAE's venues and more specifically the Zayed Cricket Stadium as a truly world class playing arena.
Few hurdles
When the then Abu Dhabi Cricket Council (ADCC) officials were desperately trying to bring international cricket to Abu Dhabi there were quite a few hurdles strewn in their path. However with the Abu Dhabi ruling family firmly behind the development of the stadium and the game the Zayed Cricket Stadium's rise to international fame was swift and sweet.
Rahul Dravid of India and Inzamam-ul-Haq of Pakistan went out to toss and signal the beginning of international cricket in April 2006 and since then the Zayed Cricket Stadium has gained tremendous reputation as an international cricket venue.
With international cricketing nations refusing to tour Pakistan, Abu Dhabi staged its first three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 2007. That was soon followed by a three-match ODI series between Pakistan and West Indies in 2008 while in 2009 fans here in the UAE capital saw the great Australian side take on Pakistan.
Three more ODIs between Pakistan and New Zealand in 2009 was then followed by the Zayed Cricket Stadium gaining Test status last year as Pakistan took on South Africa. The Proteas recovered from 33 for 3 with A.B. de Villiers belting an unbeaten 278 and Jacques Kallis chipping in with 105 in a drawn encounter.
The ADCC, under Dilawar Mani, who is now the Emirates Cricket Board CEO, also managed to keep the venue occupied for most of the remaining period when international teams were not playing. While the adjoining Zayed Cricket Academy tied up with the MCC and many international youth teams toured the venue, the Essex, Lancashire, Somerset, Sussex and Yorkshire county sides also used the stadium for a pre-season event in 2007.
Upcoming fixture
The traditional opening fixture of the English season would was shifted from Lord's to the Zayed Cricket Stadium and county champions Durham took on the MCC in the four-day match which started on March 29, 2010.
The flood-lit match also saw the pink ball make its debut in an attempt to research the feasibility of Test cricket under lights.
With Test-playing nations Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa having already played at the Zayed Cricket Stadium and England scheduled to arrive early next year, Abu Dhabi cricket fans cannot ask for anything better.
Shaikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
- Capacity: 20,000
- Tests played: one (Pak v SA, Nov. 2010)
- Highest team total: 584/9d by SA vs Pak, Nov. 2010
- Lowest team total: 434 by Pak vs SA, Nov. 2010
- Individual 100s: 2
- Highest individual score: 278* by AB de Villiers - SA v Pak, Nov. 2010
- Best bowling: 6/120 by Tanvir Ahmed - Pak v SA, Nov. 2010
- ODIs played: 16 (April 2006 to Oct 2010)
- Highest team total: 313/9 in 50 overs by Pak vs SL, 20 May 2007
- Lowest team total: 149/10 in 39.2 overs by NZ vs Pak, 3 Nov. 2009
- Individual 100s: 10
- Highest individual score: 131 by Brendon McCullum - NZ vs Pak, 6 Nov. 2009
- Best bowling: 5/35 by Doug Bollinger - Aus vs Pak, 1 May 2009
- T20Is played: 4 (Feb 2010 to Oct 2010)
- Highest team total: 133/3 in 19.1 overs by Neth vs Ken, 11 Feb. 2010
- Lowest team total: 117/9 in 20 overs by Sco vs Afg, 10 Feb 2010
- Individual 100s: nil
- Highest individual score: 46* by Colin Ingram - SA vs Pak, 26 Oct 2010
- Best bowling: 4/19 by Pieter Seelaar - Neth vs Ken, 11 Feb 2010
