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VENUES
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The Zayed Cricket Stadium
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The crack of willow on leather and the resounding applause of passionate fans now reverberate across the sands of Abu Dhabi, following the construction of international cricket's newest stadium in the UAE Capital. Many believe that it will put Abu Dhabi firmly on the international cricketing map as a regular venue for first class matches in the years to come.
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The Zayed Cricket Stadium, named after the late UAE President, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is a multi-million dirham project that has been funded and supported by the Abu Dhabi Government with the aim of turning Abu Dhabi into a world class venue for international cricket tournaments
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Abu Dhabi officials were keen to move a step ahead while building this hi-tech project - that of developing and promoting cricket through staging international matches and also through establishment of a cricket academy that will coach UAE nationals and other youngsters, in the finer points of the game.
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Essential Facts and Figures about the Zayed Cricket Stadium
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The floodlit facility has an 18,000-seat capacity with eight pitches, five of which are turf; A massive curved shade canopy covering the Grand Stand pavilion is the highlight of the stadium; It is the largest unsupported structure of any cricket stadium, weighing around 1,000 tonnes and has three pillars placed behind at the centre, symbolising the three cricket stumps; The latest technology has been used for lighting and scoreboards to ensure accepted international standards for televising matches; Land and fund for the Zayed Cricket Stadium were granted by the President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan; The stadium has been designed by Godwin Austen Johnson; Two outstanding features of the stadium are the quality of the grass and the design of the outfield. The outfield has been made in a way so that it can conserve water; A shape of a cricket cap covers the South Stand of the stadium; The South Stand has a capacity of 9,000 and features the VVIP and VIP facilities; Spectator boxes, press and media enclosures, squash courts, changing rooms, kitchen and restaurants are also part of the South Stand; The South Stand also features a circular Club House, with restaurants and a gymnasium; The ground floor of the Club House covers an area of 1,800 metres and can accommodate around 400 spectators; The lights for the stadium are placed on four towers that are said to be the tallest in the Middle East; Each of the four towers contains 60 lights; The lights are perched on the towers at a height of 70 metres. [At the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, that has hosted the maximum number of one-day Internationals till date, the lights are placed at 45 metres on the towers. Even the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India, one of the best in the world for its flood-lit system, has its lights perched at 62 metres]; The effect of 2,000 Lux vertical illumination will be felt on the pitch. The inner fielding circle will be covered by 1,200 and the outer circle by another 1,300 Lux illumination.
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The Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium
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