ADC enters record books for hosting elite tourneys
ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi Cricket ( ADC), the UAE capital’s distinguished multi-purpose sports facility, has entered the challenging 2020/21 season record books having hosted more Icc-approved international matches than any other global operation, further cementing its standing as a world-leading cricket venue.
Over the 11-month season, ADC hosted 81 ICCapproved international matches, and, with the support of the Emirates Cricket Board, the UAE hosted a total of 123 matches – a combined tally unsurpassed by any other nation.
With rigorous COVID-19 prevention protocols in place, in partnership with the National Crisis & Emergency Management Authority, Department of Health Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and with the support of the Department of Culture & Tourism - Abu Dhabi, ADC hosted the Dream 11 Indian Premier League 2020, the Alubond Abu Dhabi T10, HBL Pakistan Super League 6 and international teams Afghanistan, Ireland, UAE, and Zimbabwe across Test, One Day Internationals, T20s and T10 formats.
A look at the stats will deliver a clear picture how ADC has evolved as most-sought ater destination despite not an Affiliate Nation when the Test playing nations failed to host them.
It includes a whopping 244 practice sessions and 81 matches, in which 22,278 runs were scored with help of 2,229 fours and 959 sixes.
The batsmen ruled the roost and heart of the fans with amazing performance as the matches featured 103 fities, 10 centuries scored by 26 teams from 15 countries.
Bowlers and fielders also had their share of pie as the period witnessed a total of 904 dismissals, facilitated by 554 spectacular catches.
ADC rose to the global COVID-19 pandemic challenges by supporting international federations such as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and Pakistan Cricket Board ( PCB) through its highly effective and successful Covid-secure response which enabled the state-of-the-art facility to continue to take world-class cricket to the sport’s vast global fan community.
Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, the UAE’S Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Chairman of both the Emirates Cricket Board and Abu Dhabi Cricket Club, commented: “The hosting of such a large amount of cricket in the context of the pandemic is testament to the UAE’S leadership in the hosting and organising of high calibre, global tournaments. Abu Dhabi Cricket has further bolstered the UAE capital’s flourishing reputation as an unmissable cricketing destination this season.”
Sheikh Nahayan said the record-breaking hosting against the backdrop of testing times also illustrated the deeply rooted value of tolerance shared by the UAE and cricket.
“The sport, like our nation, epitomizes the melting pot of the richness and diversity of our world’s cultures.”