Sharjah 20th of August, : The Sharjah Cricket Stadium played host to the inaugural Asia Cup in 1984 and it is set to host the tournament once more in the coming weeks, hosting four crucial matches beginning on August 30.The iconic venue was announced to undergo major renovations in the past year, including the introduction of a brand new VIP experience that includes 11 VIP suites as well as the most modern Royal suite.
As an early participant of the Asian Cricket Council, Abdul Rahman Bukhatir was crucial in the first success of this event and believes it was the first move in the future ascendance of Asian teams in the world of cricket in the world.Not to mention Sharjah’s reputation as a top cricketing ground and the participation in the Guinness World Records for hosting the largest number of One-Day International matches at a single venue (245).
After an absence of 11 years and five years, the fifth Asia Cup was also hosted for the second time in Sharjah in 1995.India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh participated in the 1995 tournament with India having won its third consecutive title and the fourth overall Asia Cup.
However, Bukhatir and Sharjah have done more to Asian cricket than simply playing hosts.
In 2010 he provided the facility to the Afghanistan Cricket Board who at the time didn’t have required facilities for turf.
With the access to top facilities they were able to sharpen their skills and eventually become an official part of ACC as well as ICC.
Over the many years, Afghanistan has hosted Pakistan and Australia in bilateral matches in Sharjah as their home stadium which is why it’s a source of immense satisfaction that they will play Bangladesh on the 30th of August in Sharjah.
“Come August 27 to the 15th Asia Cup will take place in Sharjah and Dubai.It’s been a productive forty years, and I’m thrilled we will be hosting again.The idea that was started in 1984 has been successful and I consider it to be one of my most rewarding achievements,” said Bukhatir, the father of UAE cricket and the founder of Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
“Life is truly coming full circle and we are thrilled to host the Asia Cup once again in 2022.
Our stadium is renowned for its record-breaking performances, boasting the most passionate fans and most thrilling finishes, and I’m sure that this tournament will be not a different.The stadium’s renovations are complete , and so are our players, and we hope to we hope to see you shortly in Sharjah to play another exciting event,” added Khalaf Bukhatir the Director of Operations of Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
The Asia Cup 2022 tournament will begin in the UAE being hosted by Sri Lanka, from August 27.
The champions of the past India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will be joined by the qualifier.This tournament will take place in a double round-robin as well as knockout format.
India as well as Pakistan are set to be joined by the winners of the qualifying tournament in Group A.Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are slated in Group B.
The total of 13 games will be played throughout the competition with the final match scheduled in Dubai on the 11th of September.
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