The UAE women’s national team will test themselves against international opposition on home soil after the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed they will host the first-ever Gulf Asian Cup later this year.
The dates have yet to be finalised but ECB administrator Mazhar Khan has revealed the Twenty20 tournament will be held in December with Sharjah Cricket Stadium a front-runner to host the majority of the games.
Talks on which teams will be invited are still on-going but a number of leading Asian and Gulf nations have been contacted to play in the eight-team event.
Having won the last two Gulf Cup titles, Khan said it was crucial to give the team many opportunities to play international matches for them to enhance their game.
“The team has been doing really well, winning the Gulf Cup twice and it was important to organise a tournament that will help them develop as players,” he told Sport360.
“The intention is to play with better and a larger pool of countries and also have good opposition so that we can improve our cricket. The ECB are organising this and we’ve been planning this for two months now. We have invited a number of teams and are just awaiting their confirmation.”
Since returning from Qatar last December following their second Gulf title, the UAE squad have only tested themselves among their peers in training sessions and domestic matches.
But all-rounder Natasha Michael insists it’s a great step by the ECB in promoting the women’s game. “It’s really exciting to hear this news,” she said.
“We have not had many chances to play at home as the UAE national team, as we were only playing in domestic games, but this announcement is a great boost.
“It will be great to have home support. It would be nice to have our family and friends watching us play. Most importantly, this is a chance to develop as cricketers as we only get better by playing against international opponents.”
“I expect the games will be tough and will be a great challenge for us,” added Natasha, who was part of the Sharjah Cricket Council squad that travelled to India last week for a training camp.
The news was also welcomed by UAE head coach Mohammed Hyder, saying it’s a big boost.
“The only way you can become better cricketers is by competing in games and against challenging opposition. I’m really happy there are plans to launch a new competition in the UAE.
“It’s great for them to play in front of home crowds which they’ve not been able to previously. This is a great opportunity for them to show how good a side they are, having won the Gulf Cup. They are very lucky and it will be a great experience.”