Sharjah Ramadan Cricket to mark ICC Centenary celebrations

Sharjah Cricket Council will organise the Sharjah Ramadan Twenty20 Tournament which will feature 24 top teams divided into six groups with the top two from each group making it to the knock-out stage.

The 22nd edition of the tournament, which will begin on Saturday to coincide with the start of Ramadan at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, will be significant this year as it marks the International Cricket Council's centenary celebrations and is the UAE's featured Catch the Spirit event.

Last year's tournament saw 14,749 runs scored, including 411 sixes and 860 fours. New Medical Centre emerged champions defeating Al Hamad Contracting by five wickets to win the final.

"The statistics are a fair reflection on the growing standards of the game in the UAE," said Mazhar Khan of the Sharjah Cricket Council in an interview with Khaleej Times.

"With top talent on show, the tournament is expected to produce a rich fare and I hope fans will turn up in big numbers to add to the carnival-like atmosphere at the venue," he added.

Find out more about the ICC's centenary year celebrations and Catch the Spirit at www.catchthespirit.com