Sheikh Nahyan unveils Asia Cup trophy in Abu Dhabi

The Asia Cup trophy was unveiled in Abu Dhabi on Friday by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board.

The Asia Cup T20 tournament will be played from August 27 to September 11 in the UAE featuring six teams — India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and a Qualifier.

Also present at the unveiling were Mubashshir Usmani, General Secretary, Emirates Cricket Board; Shammi Silva, president of Sri Lanka Cricket, Ashley de Silva, CEO Sri Lanka Cricket, Subhan Ahmed, Advisor, Emirates Cricket Board, Thusith Perera, GM Finance & Operations, Asian Cricket Council, and Prabhakaran Thanraj, Head of Events and Commercial, Asian Cricket Council.

Sri Lanka was scheduled to host the 2022 edition of the Asia Cup, but the tournament was moved to the UAE due to the economic crisis in the South Asian island nation.

The tournament will see 13 matches played across two venues — the state-of-the-art Dubai International Cricket Stadium and the historic Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Sharjah gears up for big event

The Sharjah stadium, which hosted the inaugural Asia Cup in 1984, is ready to welcome this global tournament once again when it hosts four key matches in a few weeks.

The iconic venue announced major refurbishments earlier last year, including an all-new VIP Hospitality experience comprising six West and five East VIP Suites and a state-of-the-art Royal Suite.

“Come August 27th, the 15th Asia Cup will take place in Sharjah and Dubai. It has been a very fruitful 40 years and I am delighted we are hosts again. The initiative begun in 1984 has paid off and I see it as one of my most satisfying achievements,” said Abdulrahman Bukhatir, the father of UAE cricket and founder of Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Khalaf Bukhatir, CEO of Sharjah Cricket Stadium, expects epic matches at the venue.

“Life has really come full circle and we are so excited to be hosting the Asia Cup once again in 2022," he said.

"Our stadium is globally renowned for breaking records, having the best fans and the most exciting finishes and I imagine this tournament will be no different. The stadium upgrades are complete and so is our team, so see you soon in Sharjah for another epic tournament."