The next generation of cricketers are set to compete in the UAE with a tournament designed to unearth the sport’s future stars. The Red Bull Campus Cricket event gives young players a platform to show off their skills, without having to give up on college education. Teams quality to complete in the annual event by winning national qualifiers to then represent their countries at the World Finals.
The international T20 competition has seen the rise of young stars go from representing the UAE to being drafted into the Indian Premier League. On the back of last year’s event Dubai’s Chirag Suri was picked to play in the IPL when the Gujarat Lions signed him up.
Indian-born Suri moved to the UAE aged 10 and played cricket for the UAE’s under-19 side in the 2014 World Cup where he scored 50 runs against New Zealand. While playing in Sri Lanka Suri was able to develop his skills further. “I got really close to the Sri Lankan players. When I was there, I learned to speak the local language and Sri Lankas Niroshan Dickwella became a good friend of mine. I had a bit of a go at him once, which happens when things are very competitive, but it was all in good spirit. It’s pretty incredible to see how many players are coming through these leagues, and going on to become IPL cricketers or international cricketers.”
South African Marques Ackerman, another one of the stars of last year’s Red Bull tournament, said the event plays a big part in developing players for the professional game. “The Campus Cricket tournament is really competitive, so it really helps us prepare for the T20 Global League,” Ackerman said. “Any time you play in different sorts of conditions and on different sorts of surfaces, it can only help you as a cricketer. This will stand us in good stead going forward.” The left-handed middle-order batsman was one of three players from the 2017 event to be selected to play in the T20 Global League, along with fellow countrymen Wihan Lubbe and Janneman Malan.
Heriot Watt university have taken the UAE honors in the previous three years with victories in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Universities competing:
Herriot Watt University
American University of Sharjah
Birla institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS PILANI)
Amity University
Manipal University
Skyline University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Emirates Aviation College
University of Wollongong
Middlesex University
Qualifiers: Thursday, April 12th
Quarterfinals: Friday, April 13th
Semi Finals & Finals: Saturday, April 14th
Location: Ajman Eden Garden cricket grounds