Domestic cricket in the UAE is set to receive a significant boost with the introduction of the Elite Corporate Cricket Bash, a new 100-ball tournament scheduled to take place in November. The tournament, organized by Petromann Sports Management in collaboration with the Sharjah Cricket Council and the Emirates Cricket Board, will feature 12 corporate teams showcasing their skills in the newest format of the game. Each team will have the opportunity to play 100 balls in an innings, with a total prize money of Dh1.3 million up for grabs. The tournament is expected to attract a viewership of more than 300 million across digital platforms.
Legendary cricket coach Dav Whatmore has been appointed as an advisor for the tournament, aiming to provide local players with an opportunity to enhance their skills and make a mark in the cricketing world. The Emirates Cricket Board is supportive of the initiative, viewing it as a way to promote local talent and expand the player base in the UAE. Organizers are hopeful that the tournament will foster a love for the sport and provide a platform for talented individuals to shine. The Sharjah Cricket Stadium, known for its history of cricketing innovation, will host the event, continuing its legacy of supporting domestic cricket in the UAE.
Waleed Bukhatir, Vice Chairman of Sharjah Cricket Stadium, expressed his excitement about hosting the tournament, stating that it will not only bring corporate teams together but also elevate the standard of domestic cricket in the UAE. The event is expected to transform the cricketing landscape and support emerging talent in the region. Abdul Latif Khan, Founder of Petromann Sports Management, believes that the ECCB represents the future of domestic cricket in the UAE. The aim is to combine high-quality cricket with a corporate spirit, providing companies and players with the opportunity to engage in a historic event that will contribute to the development of the UAE’s cricket ecosystem.
Local players in the UAE who hold an Emirates ID are eligible to participate in the tournament, according to Mazhar Khan, General Manager of the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The organizers are set to announce the names of two big stars who will join the tournament as ambassadors, further promoting the event on a global scale. Overall, the ECCB is poised to set new standards in domestic cricket and create an exciting platform for local talent to showcase their skills and passion for the sport. With the support of key figures in the cricketing world and a focus on nurturing emerging talent, the tournament is set to make a significant impact on the cricketing landscape of the UAE.