The UAE became the centre of world cricket for two-and-a-half months at the end of 2021.
First, the Indian Premier League was played to its conclusion across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. Then, two days later, the T20 World Cup started at the same venues.
And the conclusion of the country’s first cricket World Cup was followed swiftly by the start of the Abu Dhabi T10.
Despite the surfeit of top-level international cricket, the country’s leading players were under-employed for much of last year because of the effects of Covid.
The men’s senior team drew with Ireland in a one-day series at the start of the year. Near the end of it, they beat the same team in a rousing T20 series that was mainly designed to give the Irish practice ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Other than that, pickings were meagre. They did go on one tour, to Namibia in November – but had to about-face before a ball was even bowled, due to the onset of the Omicron variant in southern Africa.
After the 2021 famine, 2022 should be a feast – coronavirus-permitting. The men’s and women’s teams have plenty to aim for over the next 12 months – starting in a few days’ time in a cricket-paradise in the Caribbean.
Under 19 World Cup
The national age-group side qualified to play at a second successive Under 19 World Cup in absentia, after the qualifying competition was cancelled. The side, captained by Alishan Sharafu, flew to St Kitts on Sunday morning. Fixtures: Saturday January 15, v Canada. Thursday January 20, v England. Saturday January 22, v Bangladesh.
Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier
UAE have the chance to exorcise the pain of missing out on a home World Cup last year by bidding to make it to the next one. Next month’s qualifying competition in Muscat, also including Bahrain, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Philippines, Nepal and Oman, carries with it two places at the main event in Australia.
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Mumbai Indians won the IPL title for the fifth time after defeating Delhi Capitals by five wickets in Dubai in 2020. -
Mumbai Indians with the 2020 IPL trophy in Dubai on Tuesday. -
Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma celebrates the win in the final against Delhi Capitals. -
Quinton de Kock and Rohit Sharma powered Mumbai Indians to a comfortable win over Delhi Capitals in the IPL final in Dubai on Tuesday. -
Rohit Sharma hit a match-winning fifty for Mumbai Indians in the final against Delhi Capitals. -
Ishan Kishan has been a revelation for Mumbai Indians. -
Jayant Yadav of Mumbai Indians celebrates the wicket of Shikhar Dhawan of Delhi Capitals. -
Trent Boult gave Mumbai Indians an electric start with the ball against Delhi Capitals in the final in Dubai on Tuesday. -
Nita Ambani, co- owner of Mumbai Indians, cheers her team in Dubai. -
Rishabh Pant of Delhi Capitals scored a fifty on Tuesday. -
Marcus Stoinis of Delhi Capitals celebrates the wicket of Quinton de Kock. -
Shikhar Dhawan of Delhi Capitals is bowled by Jayant Yadav. -
Shreyas Iyer, captain of Delhi Capitals, celebrates his fifty.
Premier League T20
The country’s new franchise league had initially been due to launch this month. However, despite announcement owners of Manchester United and Mumbai Indians had bought sides, information regarding the schedule and teams remains scarce.
Ninety-90 Bash
After the T10 League moved down the coast to Abu Dhabi two years ago, having had its first two seasons at UAE’s oldest cricket venue, Sharjah looked for a new concept to call its own. It plans to stage a new 90-ball tournament in May and June.
Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier
A side built on some thrilling teenaged talent dominated the Asia qualifier in Dubai in November. They now face a global qualifier at some point this year to play for the chance to make it to the main event, in 2023 in South Africa.
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Spectators during the World Cup League Two match between Nepal and Oman at the Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu on Wednesday. Subas Humagain for The National -
Thousand of supporters turned up to watch the WCL2 match between Nepal and Oman at the Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu on Wednesday - the first ODI in Nepal. Subas Humagain for The National -
Nepal lost to Oman in the first ODI of the WCL2 tri-series at the Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu on Wednesday. Subas Humagain for The National -
There was heavy security in place for the WCL2 match between Nepal and Oman at the Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu on Wednesday. Subas Humagain for The National -
Oman defeated Nepal by 18 runs in their WCL2 match at the Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu on Wednesday. Subas Humagain for The National -
Oman defeated Nepal by 18 runs in their WCL2 match at the Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu on Wednesday. Subas Humagain for The National -
Nepal spectators cheered Oman during the WCL2 match at the Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu. Subas Humagain for The National -
More fans are expected over the weekend during the WCL2 tri-series in Kathmandu. Subas Humagain for The National -
Nepal's Sandeep Lamichhane in Kathmandu on Wednesday. Subas Humagain for The National -
Sharad Vesawkar and Binod Bhandari during the WCL2 match between Nepal and Oman in Kathmandu on Wednesday. Subas Humagain for The National -
Sandeep Lamichhane failed to pick up a wicket against Oman on Wednesday. Subas Humagain for The National
World Cup League Two
Covid has harpooned the 50-over league which is the first part of qualifying for the 2023 World Cup. After a rash of postponements last year, UAE could potentially play series in Namibia, Nepal, Scotland and Papua New Guinea this year. How they will fit it all in, who knows.
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Yuzvendra Chahal, centre, of India celebrates after taking the wicket of Imrul Kayes in the Asia Cup final in Dubai in 2018. India beat Bangladesh in the final, and the event was a huge success. Pawan Singh / The National -
Liton Das of Bangladesh on his way to a century. Pawan Singh / The National -
Kedar Jadhav of India bowls. Pawan Singh / The National -
Jadhav celebrates after taking the wicket of Mushfiqur Rahim. Pawan Singh / The National -
Jasprit Bumrah of India bowls. Pawan Singh / The National -
Das plays a shot. Pawan Singh / The National -
Das, left, Bangladesh celebrates after scoring his half century. Pawan Singh / The National -
Mehidy Hasan of Bangladesh plays a shot. Pawan Singh / The National -
Hasan and Das run between the wickets. Pawan Singh / The National -
Hasan takes a run. Pawan Singh / The National
Asia Cup
Just as they did in the T20 World Cup, UAE also missed out on playing at the Asia Cup at home in 2018. The next edition is scheduled for Sri Lanka in September. The qualification process remains unclear.
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Australia players winning the T20 World Cup in Dubai on Sunday, November 4, 2021. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Mitchell Marsh celebrates winning the T20 World Cup final. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Australia's David Warner scored a fine fifty to set up victory over New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final at the Dubai International Stadium. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Australia's Mitchell Marsh scored a superb fifty against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final on Sunday. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
David Warner celebrates reaching fifty at the Dubai International Stadium. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson held the innings together with a fifty. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Australia's Steve Smith fields at the boundary. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
New Zealand's Kane Williamson is caught on the boundary by Steve Smith. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-16. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Australia's Glenn Maxwell at the Dubai International Stadium. Chris Whiteoak / The National
T20 World Cup
Less than a year after Australia clinched the last T20 World Cup in the final against New Zealand in Dubai, they will host the next one. It is due to start on October 16, with the final on November 13. UAE will hope to be there.
Abu Dhabi T10
The 10-over tournament has become an established featured of the sporting calendar over the course of the past five years. Deccan Gladiators won the title for the first time last month.
