Saudi Arabia has been making waves in sports, particularly in football and golf. But it would appear the Middle Eastern economic heavyweight is looking to delve into the cricket world.
The country even has its own cricket federation, called the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF).
Established in 2001 and headquartered in Saudi’s capital, Riyadh, the SACF is the country’s official governing body for cricket. The SACF was officially recognised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2003.
The federation’s first chairman is His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Mishal.
According to the International Cricket Council, the first reference to cricket in Saudi Arabia was in 1960. Organised cricket was developed by the mid-1970s when associations were formed.
The legal status to organise cricket events was attained in 2003, and during the same year, Saudi Arabia also obtained the status of a country participating in international cricket events.
Cricket is primarily driven by expatriates from cricket-loving countries who have brought their passion for the sport to the region.
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Sub-regional Asia Qualifiers
The Saudi Arabia men’s cricket team is currently playing in the sub-regional Asia Qualifiers.
The sub-regional Asia Qualifiers are a precursor to the West Indies and USA ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June 2024.
The Saudis are in a group of four teams, including Kuwait, Maldives and their rivals Qatar.
After a diplomatic spat between Saudi Arabia and Qatar in 2017, the two countries agreed to reopen the airspace, land and maritime borders in January 2021.
After beating Maldives on Thursday by 62 runs in the opening group stage of the sub-regional Asia qualifiers match, Saudi Arabia is going to Qatar today with their tails up.
Saudi Arabia’s captain, Mohammed Hisham Sheik, will lead his team against Qatar at the Asian Town Cricket Stadium in Doha at 12:30 Central African Time.
This will be the humdinger of a game between Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
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