The United Arab Emirates (UAE) cricket teams may not have dominated in the sport, but the country has seen a lot of cricketing action. And it’s only possible because of the world-class cricket stadiums they have.
Want to host a multi-team event at short notice? They are ready. Want to stage T20 leagues? They are ready. Can’t host teams on home grounds? Just come to the UAE.
These UAE venues are welcoming to teams as well as fans, which places them among the best.
So here are the top five cricket stadiums situated in the UAE.
1. Dubai International Cricket Stadium
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium is a relatively new venue in the UAE. You must have seen this venue hosting a lot of cricket matches since 2009.
It’s a state-of-the-art facility that can accommodate almost 25,000 spectators. And the stadium’s 360-degree lighting system, known as the ‘Ring of Fire,’ adds to the beauty of the venue.
The Dubai-based ground hosted its first international match in 2009, an ODI between Pakistan and Australia. Since then, it has hosted many games, even acting as the home ground for Pakistan on several occasions.
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium has also been a host for the IPL, ILT20, and the T20 World Cup.
2. Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium
The Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium is a fascinating venue in the UAE. The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) opened the facility back in 2004.
And the venue hosted its first international encounter in 2006. Arch-rivals Pakistan and India squared off in an ODI game, adding the Abu Dhabi-situated venue to the international circuit.
The Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium has two stands on both ends of the pitch, with grassbanks surrounding the other two parts. The venue is a regular feature for the Abu Dhabi T10 league and ILT20, while also being a host for the IPL and T20 World Cup.
Apart from that, the venue has hosted many of Pakistan’s games and continues to be a preferred venue for Afghanistan. The venue has a capacity of 20,000 spectators.
Also Read | The Top 5 Cricket Stadiums in Pakistan
3. Sharjah Cricket Stadium
If you have been following cricket since the 1980s, then you have perhaps heard of this stadium. The Sharjah Cricket Stadium is the oldest venue in the UAE, having been established in 1982.
And despite not being present in a Test-playing nation, the Sharjah Cricket Stadium has hosted the most international matches. The reason being it was a hotbed for hosting several multi-team series in ODI format, which gave some classic games in the ‘80s, ’90s, and early 2000s.
Since the turn of the century, the multi-team events have reduced, but the ground continues to hold its significance. The Sharjah venue has seen IPL, T20 World Cup, and ILT20 games played here. The venue can host 16,000 viewers, though it has shorter boundaries.
4. ICC Academy Ground
Although not as prominent as the above venues, the ICC Academy Ground is a world-class facility. What’s interesting is cricket’s global governing body, the International Cricket Council, owns it.
And it’s right next to the ICC Headquarters and just a little away from the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The facility serves as a high-performance center, helping players work on their skills.
The ICC Academy Ground boasts indoor and outdoor facilities consisting of varied pitches, training rooms, changing rooms, and technical equipment. Alongside that, the venue often hosts ODI and T20I games among associate teams.
5. Ajman Oval
The Ajman Oval is the only venue on this list not to have hosted any international games. But it has all the facilities meeting the international standards.
The Ajman Oval is located in the northern part of the UAE, with a seating capacity of 5,000 spectators. It may not be on the international circuit yet, but the venue gets preference for hosting domestic games.
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