Is the UAE the Next Cricket Powerhouse?

Cricket in the UAE used to be background noise. A sport for expats, a rental space for international tournaments, a convenient backup when other countries needed a neutral ground. But lately? Something’s shifted. The floodlights are still on, but now, more of the players under them are calling the UAE home.

From new leagues and rising stars to full-blown cricket academies, the UAE isn’t just hosting cricket anymore. It’s building something of its own. And it’s time to ask the question: is the UAE becoming a true cricket powerhouse?

A Fanbase That’s Bigger Than You Think

To understand where this momentum is coming from, start with the people. Roughly two-thirds of the UAE’s population are expats, and a massive chunk of them come from cricket-obsessed nations like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka. It’s no accident that when India and Pakistan played in Dubai, the stadium felt like a World Cup final.

But it’s not just the expats anymore. A survey found that nearly 70% of UAE nationals say they follow cricket. And the country’s sports infrastructure is catching up fast to match the demand.

When you have three world-class stadiums (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah), an ICC academy, and a government that actually supports the game? You’re not just borrowing someone else’s scene. You’re building your own.

From Host to Contender: The Rise of Domestic Cricket

For years, the UAE was a stopover for cricket, not a destination. That’s changing.

The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has stepped up its development game. We’re not just talking school leagues and weekend tournaments. There are now full performance pathways, high-performance academies, and youth programs with real money and attention behind them.

Then there’s ILT20 – the International League T20. It’s flashy, it’s televised, and it features a blend of international stars and emerging UAE talent. The fact that locals are getting signed alongside imports says a lot. Even the league’s development tournament now runs its own player auction, helping young UAE-based players get noticed in a real, public way.

And it’s not just for the men. Franchises like Desert Vipers are actively investing in girls’ and women’s cricket programs – U14, U16, U19 – with proper coaching and exposure to professional teams.

Are UAE Players Breaking Through?

Short answer: yes, but not at full speed yet.

Local players are being picked up for ILT20 squads and national sides, with many of them raised in the UAE. That’s part of the process when building a cricket identity from the ground up in a multicultural country. It’s not an overnight thing.

That said, Emirati-born players are starting to appear in youth programs, and women’s cricket just got a serious boost with the UAE women’s team gaining ODI status in 2025. Small signs, big implications.

Infrastructure Isn’t the Problem, But Access Might Be

You can’t argue with the quality of stadiums or facilities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah. But step outside those major cities, and things get a bit patchier.

To become a real powerhouse, cricket in the UAE needs to go wider, not just higher. That means building pitches, academies, and coaching networks across all seven emirates, and not just in elite zones. The ECB is trying to push in that direction, but it’s a work in progress.

If that happens, the player pool deepens. And that’s when things really start to shift.

The Business Side: Media, Fans, and a Betting Ecosystem

It’s not just the players driving this momentum. The UAE is also positioning itself as a cricket media hub. More local commentary, streaming partnerships, fan events, these are the connective tissue of any sporting culture.

And while gambling is tightly regulated across the Gulf, the growth of fantasy apps, odds trackers, and match analysis tools reflects growing interest in the numbers behind the game. Conversations around online sports betting in UAE tend to live in grey zones but engagement is real. Fans are following stats, reading odds, and acting like punters, whether or not there’s a licensed platform in front of them.

The point is, the infrastructure for engagement is there already.

What Would It Take for the UAE to Become a Powerhouse?

A few things, honestly. But none of them are unrealistic:

• More visibility and playing time for Emirati-born cricketers
• Long-term investment in school and grassroots programs
• Consistent domestic league scheduling (not just T10 or T20 showcases)
• Regular home international fixtures, so fans build loyalty to the UAE team
• Support for women’s cricket that goes beyond token matches

These are the blocks that build a foundation. And they’re starting to fall into place.