UAE National cricket team

History records the first official match played by the UAE national cricket team in February 1976 against Pakistan International Airlines at the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium. Before that Commonwealth troops like the British Royal Air Force played in the now called UAE during World War II. After 1960, UAE cricket got fresh blood from the Asians settlers who had a passion for the game.

At the first match played in 1976, rain played rouge and the match was abandoned half-way in the second innings. The Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium was constructed by accepting a bounty from the wealthy locals as an investment. The stadium organized its first major even at the 1984 Asia Cup with Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka battling out for the cup. Today, the venue has hosted more than 200 one-day international matches and 4 test matches.

In 1989, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) was formed which eventually gained an ICC membership in the same year. The following year, they jumped ahead to become the associate member of ICC.

The UAE national team played their maiden one-day international match against Pakistan and India at the Australasia Cup in 1994 played in UAE. The early years saw them achieve limited success as they repeatedly finished last in various multi-nation series. The year 1996 gave a glimpse of improvement with the team losing the finals of ACC Trophy against Bangladesh. The same result against the same team was repeated in the 1998 ACC Trophy.

In 2000, after UAE was granted full ICC membership in 1989, the team won the ACC Trophy after beating Nepal and Bangladesh. The team was able to repeat the match-winning performance at the 2002 ACC Trophy also. In the 21st century, UAE has been successful in grabbing 4 successive ACC Trophies but has had moderate success with the other tournaments. Of the 11 one-day international matches playes, UAE has won only 1 while losing the rest 10. UAE has won 3 of the 16 first-class amtches played and 15 of the 41 List A matches played till date.

Khurram Khan stands as the current captain for the team with Amjad Ali guarding the stumps.

Major achievements

The team has won 4 consecutive ACC Trophy finals from 2000 till 2006.

They won the ICC Trophy played in 1994.

The team qualified to play the 1996 Cricket World Cup.