INTRODUCTION
Sharjah Cricket Council, one of the constituents of its parent body Emirates Cricket Board is
engaged in various activities related to the conduct and promotion of the game of Cricket in
the Emirate of Sharjah.
LOCATION
The Council operates from its offices based at the famous Sharjah Cricket Stadium that is also
the main hub of the international cricket activities. The address of the Council is Sharjah
Cricket Council, P.O. Box 88, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Tel No. 00971 6 5322991,
Fax 00971 6 5334741.
HISTORY
The Sharjah Cricket Council was formerly known as the Sharjah Cricket Association and came into
the existence after the organisational changes resulted in the creation of the Emirates Cricket
Board in the year 1989.
The induction of the game of Cricket in UAE can trace its origin to the mid-sixties when the
Royal British Armed Forces stationed in Sharjah were actively involved with the game.
Cricket patrons of the likes of Abdulrahman Bukhatir, Galadari Brothers, Abdul Rahman Falaknaz,
Mohammad Redha Abbas and others, who picked up their game in the sub-continent during their stay
for studies, promoted and developed the game here.
The erstwhile Sharjah Cricket Association was formed in 1974 under the chairmanship of
Abdulrahman Bukhatir and the Bukhatir League for 'A' division tournament was then started in
a small way, which is still recognised as the premier event of the country and continues
uninterrupted till date. Cricket in those days was played on the rolled dirt tracks and the
facilities were minimal.
The Emirate witnessed unprecedented economic upsurge due to the oil boom of the mid-seventies
and the resultant affluence benefited the game immensely. The vital support from the business
houses, and corporate sectors gave the game the necessary boost.
The first Bukhatir League for 'A' Division was held way back in 1974. This premier tournament
is the only tournament of the land that has been held continuously without any break till date.
Since then the tournament has made significant strides and is now fully entrenched as the premier
event at the top of the domestic calendar in which one overseas player is allowed in the playing
eleven. It has grown in stature over the years and currently it is conducted at the Sharjah
Cricket Stadium.
The first international match was organised in the mid seventies when a representative PIA side
led by legendary Majid Khan played a match against a combined local side in Al Khan area of
Sharjah which happened to be first proper Cricket ground in those days. The emergence of CBFS
in 1981 gave international exposure to the Emirate of Sharjah and the whole of Middle East as
the premier international Cricket Centre in the region where the maximum number of ODI have been
held as of date.
Another milestone was reached when the Council staged the World Masters at the Sharjah Stadium
in the year 1995 in which stars of yesteryears gave the glimpses of their skills and prowess,
much to the delight of the fans. The teams involved were West Indies, Pakistan, India and
England.
