The Gentleman’s game of cricket is a small but conspicuous part of Dubai sports with a large number of expatriate Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis residing in the city. One can come across passionate cricket fans on a visit to Dubai, and they keep track of every international match, though the city itself has no public cricket grounds.
Dubai Sports City: However, things are set to change by March 2009 when a 25,000-seat capacity cricket stadium opens officially at the Dubai Sports City. The stadium is part of a cricket complex being built in the Dubai Sports City. Three more cricket stadiums are also on the anvil at the Dubai Sports City in accordance with a grand plan to encourage international cricket. The cricket complex comprises the headquarters building of the International Cricket Council (ICC), a cricket academy to train youngsters in the nuances of the game and an indoor net facility.
International tournament: According to Dubai sports city’s spokespersons, an international cricket tournament, most probably an ODI, is being planned as part of the inauguration of the cricket complex. All the test-cricket playing nations like Australia, England, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka have been approached with the idea.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has signed an agreement with the Dubai sports city to play a series of ODIs, Twenty20 and test matches at the DSC stadium once it is ready. Dubai will be the home for Pakistani cricket players for the next three years according to the deal. A travel to Dubai can be an interesting and exciting affair for cricket-lovers if the international matches start taking shape in 2009.
Twenty20: The presence of the International Cricket Council in Dubai is very encouraging for cricket lovers in the city as well those who visit Dubai. The Dubai sports city is exploring the idea of hosting Twenty20, the current rage in cricket, championships.
Clubs: Several companies based in Dubai have their own cricket teams and tournaments are held on a regular basis within themselves as well as among the UAE teams. There are five A Division clubs in Dubai – Air India, Emirate Airline, Butt Engineering, Emirates Bank Group and Expats CC, and several B Division clubs among Dubai sports.
Darjeeling cricket club: The Darjeeling Cricket Club is one of the B Division clubs that is popular among the expatriates. Tourists who travel to Dubai can contact the club at P.O.Box 52058, Tel 3331746.
College cricket: Almost all colleges in Dubai have enthusiastic cricket teams. Most of the cricket activity in Dubai sports is during the winter months. Besides following the regular cricket format, many of the college teams play a variation – seven-a-side team cricket that is also popular. The Higher Colleges of Technology conducts an annual seven a side tournament that is played at the Darjeeling Cricket club grounds. Contact: Tel - +971 4 3405560.
Though cricket has not yet found its niche in Dubai sports, new developments about international cricket matches could prove to be a boost for cricket.