Emirates Cricket Board restructures domestic cricket

The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has announced that the four regional councils will take charge of cricket in the seven emirates.

Cricket in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain will be governed by the Abu Dhabi Cricket Council; Sharjah, Ras al Khaimah and Fujairah under Sharjah Cricket Council; Dubai under Dubai Cricket Council and Ajman and Umm Al Quwain under the Ajman Cricket Council.

"The policy was to make every regional council aware of the cricket activities taking place within their jurisdictions. Uniform playing conditions developed under the ICC guidelines shall be strictly followed in all formats of the game by the respective councils," ECB Chief Executive Officer Dilawar Mani was quoted as saying on the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) website.

The steps, informed Mani, was designed to help UAE field the strongest possible team and provide best facilities to the players.

There are also plans afoot for more inter-emirate tournaments in all age-groups to help streamline the process of talent spotting.

ACC Development Manager Bandula Warnapura lauded the step. "What this has done is not only to bring together the cricket activity of the country, but also created good conditions of competition between the various regional councils. UAE cricket should benefit," said Warnapura.