Cricket was first introduced to the UAE in the late 19th century by British troops stationed in the region. The first recorded cricket match in the UAE was played in 1895 between the British Army and the Indian Army.
Cricket grew in popularity in the UAE in the early 20th century, and the first local cricket club, the Dubai Cricket Club, was formed in 1920. The Dubai Cricket Club played a number of matches against visiting teams, including the MCC and the touring Australian team.
In the 1970s, the UAE became a member of the International Cricket Council (ICC), and cricket began to develop into a professional sport in the country. The first international match to be played in the UAE was a Test match between India and Pakistan in 1984.
The UAE has hosted a number of major cricket tournaments since then, including the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, the 2012 Asia Cup, and the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The UAE is also home to the IPL, the most popular T20 cricket league in the world.
Today, cricket is one of the most popular sports in the UAE, and it is played by people of all ages and nationalities. The UAE national cricket team has achieved some success in recent years, and it is hoping to qualify for the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
Here are some of the key moments in the history of cricket in the UAE:
- 1895: First recorded cricket match in the UAE is played between the British Army and the Indian Army.
- 1920: The Dubai Cricket Club is formed.
- 1970: The UAE becomes a member of the ICC.
- 1984: The first international match to be played in the UAE is a Test match between India and Pakistan.
- 2007: The UAE hosts the ICC World Twenty20.
- 2012: The UAE hosts the Asia Cup.
- 2021: The UAE hosts the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Cricket is a growing sport in the UAE, and it is sure to continue to develop in the years to come.
