The popularity of cricket has reached beyond India, Australia and England. Many countries in the Middle East have seen a surge of interest in the sport, especially the women’s team.
All Gulf countries now have a women’s national cricket team participating in various prestigious tournaments. The WT201 cricket tournament, hosted by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), included all GCC states’ women’s national teams. It was historic because it was the first time these Gulf countries competed in women’s cricket together at one location.
“People in the Gulf are increasingly interested in cricket, including women’s cricket. I’m proud to be part of this change that normalizes women’s presence in all sports,” said Amna Sharif, Kuwait’s women cricketer.
Other mediums, such as cricket-themed games, can also attract interest in the sport. For example, people who play simulated reality league live are likely to follow cricket games.
The increasing interest and support for women’s cricket in the Middle East have sparked significant changes, which reflect several key trends.
These include the growing women empowerment movement across Gulf countries. These countries aim to increase women’s representation in various fields, including sports.
Moreover, the Gulf states increasingly invest in sports teams as part of the nation’s soft power strategy. This government plan also helped financially support women’s cricket.
However, it is also important to remember the challenges preventing this sport from growing. The Middle East has extremely hot weather, with temperatures soaring to 45 degrees Celcius.
Most cricket athletes from these countries wear head scarves due to their faith and culture, even in hot weather. Cricket requires a lot of running and is physically demanding, which might be a unique challenge for them.
Still, the rise in popularity and success of women’s cricket in the Middle East proves that obstacles can be overcome.
Some Gulf countries have an inspiring women’s cricket team to look up to.
Qatar
The Qatar women’s cricket squad debuted in 2009 and had a rough journey throughout the years. The team placed last in the 2014 T20 Championships. However, they returned stronger the next year and made it to the finals before losing to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Qatar has supported the rapid growth of women’s cricket by launching the ‘Qatar Professional League (QPL) – QCA’s Women’s T20 League’. It aims to provide opportunities for women to take part and promote the sport.
Although its current records may not be as stellar as those of other Gulf countries, its future holds promise.
Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SAFC) plays a massive role in the evolution of sports in Saudi Arabia. It offered a supportive environment, opportunities for coaching certifications and active participation in international tournaments for cricket players.
SAFC was also highly praised for developing professional cricket academies, expanding infrastructures, and improving facilities to attract more interest.
The national women’s team obtained associate membership of the International Cricket Council in 2016 and made its international debut in March 2022. Since then, it has shown great effort in organizing various programs and leagues to foster growth.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE women’s cricket team has a longer history among Gulf countries. The national team joined the ICC in 1990 and made its international debut in 2007. Despite early challenges, including a notable debut where they were bowled out for 39 runs against Bangladesh, the team has made significant strides.
The UAE women’s cricket team has joined various prestigious international competitions. The squad won its first match in the 2009 ACC Women’s Twenty20 Championship by defeating Oman. In this tournament, the team finished in 7th place overall of 12 teams.
In 2024, the team successfully won the ACC Women’s Premier Cup by 37 runs.
Kuwait
Kuwait joined the ICC in 1998 and debuted on the international stage at the 2009 ACC Women’s Twenty20 Championship. Unfortunately, the team was defeated and finished in the 12th position and last overall. Still, they got better results in the tournament’s 2011 edition by defeating Bhutan at the 7th-place play-off.
According to the official coach for the past decade, Syed Tariq Rasool Shah, the squad has continued to progress over the years. Shah highlights their progress from inexperienced players to seasoned athletes. Despite training in extreme temperatures exceeding 58-59 degrees Celsius, Kuwait’s women cricketers are driven by determination and resilience.
