Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
The year 2025 will be remembered in the annals of UAE cricket as the moment the nation transitioned from a global facilitator to being a competitive force as well, the national qualifying for two international events with a third in progress.
The UAE rubbed shoulders with the regional elite at the Asia Cup on home turf and is preparing now for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. After that they will bid to make it to the 2027 Cricket World Cup in the one-day international format, having played on the topmost ODI stage in 1996 and 2015.
While the Emirates has long been the world’s preferred neutral ground, the past 12 months have seen the focus shift firmly onto the talent produced within its borders. From the high-octane franchise spectacles in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to qualification for only a third World Cup across formats, the UAE has solidified its status as a truly global hub of the sport on the atlas.
The year began with the third edition of the DP World International League T20 (ILT20), a tournament that has rapidly ascended the global hierarchy. In a thrilling final on February 9, at the Dubai International Stadium, the Dubai Capitals secured their maiden title by defeating the Desert Vipers.
Incidentally, with the 2026 T20 World Cup dates clashing for the next ILT20 season, the organisation of the latter was advanced and the final concluded last night. This time, the Vipers won, beating MI Emirates by 46 runs in a tournament they dominated.
If Sam Curran was Mr Consistent for Vipers in successive seasons, both ILT20 editions in the same year saw an increased integration of local UAE talent, with top-order batsmen like Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu no longer merely filling quotas but steering matches.
As the summer heat intensified, so did the national team’s ambitions. Under the leadership of captain Waseem, the UAE navigated a demanding international schedule that included a creditable showing in the Asia Cup, hosted across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
However, the defining moment of 2025 arrived in October during the Asia – East Asia-Pacific Qualifier in Muscat. A clinical eight-wicket victory over Japan in the Super Six stage ensured the UAE a top-three finish and, more importantly, a ticket to the 2026 T20 World Cup. The performance was a testament to the tactical evolution of the squad, led by the spin web of Haider Ali and the disciplined batting of the top order.
In Abu Dhabi, the Zayed Cricket Stadium continued to serve as a citadel for the game’s shortest formats. The ninth edition of the Abu Dhabi T10 in November was perhaps the most explosive yet. Led by the wily Kieron Pollard, the UAE Bulls emerged as first-time champions, spearheaded by a 98-run blitz from Tim David in the final against Aspin Stallions.
Beyond the bright lights of the franchises, 2025 was a year of systemic growth. The UAE Women’s team made history by making their ODI debuts when they played Zimbabwe for four matches in late September. The Emirates Cricket Board’s investment in youth academies and high-performance centres has begun to yield results.
