From sand to stardom: Sharjah Cricket Stadium’s desert legacy

1981: Sunil Gavaskar XI played the Javed Miandad XI on a patch of grass in front of over 8,000 fans at the new Sharjah Cricket Stadium. When the Sharjah Cricket Stadium came to life in the early 1980s, few could have imagined the role it would go on to play in shaping the history of the game.

The vision of Abdul Rehman Bukhatir, who believed that even in the desert the seeds of cricket could blossom, turned into a reality that transformed Sharjah into one of the most iconic venues in the cricketing world.

1984: The UAE hosted its first international match in Sharjah in the 1984 Asia Cup, featuring India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, with India emerging victorious.

Sunil Gavaskar admires the Asia Cup trophy as teammates Dilip Vengsarkar and Ravi Shastri look on after India’s triumph in Sharjah on April 13, 1984 — a win that restored India’s one-day cricketing pride.

Since then, Sharjah has hosted a record-breaking 300 international matches, the highest for any venue globally. Iconic moments include Miandad’s celebration after hitting the six, Aaqib Javed’s destructive bowling spell, and Tendulkar’s legendary innings.

His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, greets Pakistan cricket team at the Sharjah stadium during the Rothmans Trophy 1985.

By the mid-1980s, Sharjah had already established itself as the stage for high-voltage India–Pakistan encounters. Javed Miandad, Pakistan’s batting maestro, was central to many of those contests. His consistency, grit, and ability to anchor innings made him a crowd favourite at Sharjah. Just a year later, in 1986, Miandad would etch his name permanently in Sharjah’s folklore with his last-ball six against India.

The Gulf News scoreboard at Sharjah Cricket Stadium during the Instaphone Trophy match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, December 19, 1990.

Cricket fans gather outside Sharjah Cricket Stadium during the Coca-Cola Cup on April 24, 1998.

Excited fans pack the stands at Sharjah Cricket Stadium during the 1998 Coca-Cola Cup, a tournament that produced some of cricket’s most unforgettable moments.

India’s Sachin Tendulkar played one of the greatest one-day cricket knocks labelled as the sandstorm knock against Australia.

Pakistan’s pace legend Wasim Akram is pictured at Sharjah Cricket Stadium reading an edition of Gulf News, highlighting the close bond between the iconic venue and the UAE’s cricket community.

Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor at Sharjah Cricket Stadium watching the high-voltage India vs Pakistan Asia Cup clash on April 7, 1995 — reflecting the venue’s unique appeal that drew film stars and celebrities throughout the 1990s.

The Pakistan cricket team celebrating after winning the Coca-Cola Cup at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on April 16, 1999.

A fisheye view of Sharjah Cricket Stadium during the Coca-Cola Cup triangular series on March 22, 2000, capturing the unique atmosphere of one of cricket’s most iconic venues.

Bollywood stars Sushmita Sen and Bipasha Basu at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, adding glamour to the stands as celebrity appearances became a hallmark. In addition to cricket, the stadium serves as a venue for concerts, festivals, and other community events.

Afghanistan and Kenya in action during their World Cup qualifier at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on October 4, 2013 — a historic step in Afghanistan’s rise on the international cricket stage.

Cricket fans cheer during the opening day of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on February 14, 2019, showcasing the venue’s enduring appeal as a hub for international and franchise cricket.

Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan in action during the opening match of the Tri-Series against Pakistan at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in 2025.