Emirates Cricket Board Wins Four ICC Development Awards 2025, Earns Global Recognition

ECB Emerges as Regional Winner in Four Categories

The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has achieved a remarkable milestone after being named the regional winner in four categories of the ICC Development Awards 2025.

The announcement was made by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which revealed 30 regional winners across six award categories that will now compete for the prestigious Global Awards scheduled to be announced in July.

Adding to the achievement, the ECB has also been shortlisted for the ICC Criiio Cricket Festival Award, recognizing outstanding cricket festivals delivered by Associate Members during the year.

The awards highlight the tremendous efforts made by cricket boards in emerging cricket nations to develop and grow the game at all levels.

Recognition for Outstanding Cricket Development Programs

One of the biggest honors received by the ECB was the ICC Development Initiative of the Year award for the successful launch of the Girls U15 Academy League.

The inaugural competition featured ten teams from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah and was played over a five-month period. The league provided young female cricketers with a structured platform to develop their skills and gain competitive experience, marking a significant step forward for women’s cricket in the UAE.

The award reflects the ECB’s long-term commitment to grassroots cricket and talent development across the country.

Female Cricket Initiatives Continue to Make an Impact

The ECB was also named the Asia regional winner for the ICC Female Cricket Initiative of the Year.

This recognition came after the successful implementation of the “Get Into Cricket for Girls” program and the Criiio Cup initiative. The project involved 40 schools across the UAE, with participation from schools in Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, and Sharjah.

By encouraging young girls to take up cricket and creating more opportunities for participation, the ECB has significantly expanded the reach of women’s cricket in the region.

The initiative has helped introduce hundreds of young players to the sport while strengthening the pathway toward elite-level cricket.

Historic Men’s Team Performance Earns Global Recognition

The UAE Men’s National Team received the ICC Associate Member Men’s Team Performance of the Year award following their historic T20I series victory over Bangladesh in May 2025.

Played in Sharjah, the three-match series saw the UAE defeat Bangladesh 2-1, one of the most significant achievements in the country’s cricket history. The victory demonstrated the growing strength of UAE cricket and proved that Associate Member nations can successfully challenge established international teams.

The series win attracted attention across the cricketing world and highlighted the progress being made through the ECB’s development programs.

UAE Women’s Team Creates History Against Zimbabwe

The UAE Women’s National Team was honored with the ICC Associate Member Women’s Team Performance of the Year award.

The recognition came after the team secured its first-ever One Day International (ODI) victory during a series against Zimbabwe in September 2025. The UAE women not only recorded a historic win but also managed to draw the four-match away series 2-2.

The achievement marked a major breakthrough for women’s cricket in the UAE and showcased the rapid improvement of the national team on the international stage.

Their performance has been widely praised as a sign of the growing depth and quality within UAE women’s cricket.

ECB Shortlisted for ICC Criiio Cricket Festival Award

In another encouraging development, the Emirates Cricket Board has been shortlisted among six nominees for the ICC Criiio Cricket Festival Award.

The award recognizes innovative and impactful cricket festivals organized by Associate Members to promote participation and engagement within local communities.

Being shortlisted further underlines the ECB’s commitment to expanding cricket beyond elite competitions and introducing the game to new audiences across the UAE.

Subhan Ahmad Hails Team Effort Behind Success

ECB Chief Operating Officer expressed his delight at receiving recognition from the ICC.

He said the awards were a testament to the dedication and hard work of the players, coaching staff, support teams, and officials who have contributed to the growth of cricket in the UAE.

According to Ahmad, the recognition will provide additional motivation to continue expanding the game throughout the country. He emphasized that successful age-group programs for both boys and girls have significantly strengthened the player pipeline for the national teams.

He also noted that the results of these development initiatives are now becoming evident through the impressive performances of both the men’s and women’s teams on the international stage.

Focus Shifts to ICC Global Awards in July

With four regional titles already secured, the Emirates Cricket Board will now compete for the ICC Global Awards against winners from other regions.

The global winners will be selected by an independent panel that includes former international cricketers such as , , and , along with representatives from ICC partners, Full Member nations, and the media.

As the cricketing world awaits the final results in July, the ECB can already take pride in a year that has showcased its commitment to developing cricket at every level.

From grassroots programs and school initiatives to historic international victories, the board’s achievements in 2025 have firmly established the UAE as one of the fastest-growing cricket nations in the world.