By dubailife 
Mazhar Khan, the General Manager of Sharjah Cricket Stadium, was visibly excited late Tuesday evening as the stadium prepared for another historic moment. On Wednesday at 4 pm UAE time, the fearless Afghanistan cricket team will face South Africa in the first match of a three-game ODI series, marking a record-setting milestone for this iconic Dubai-area venue. Sharjah Cricket Stadium will become the first in the world to host 250 One-Day Internationals (ODIs).
Already renowned as the only cricket stadium globally to host 200 ODIs, Sharjah is set to further cement its place in history as the birthplace of international cricket in the Middle East. Khan, along with everyone associated with the stadium, shared the excitement, much like proud parents witnessing their child’s big day.
Reflecting on the stadium’s humble beginnings, Khan recalled a time when there wasn’t a proper cricket facility in the UAE. “Back in 1975, during the Bukhatir League, we played on a tiny ground in Al Khan on a cemented wicket,” the Indian expat reminisced.
Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, a visionary Emirati businessman, fell in love with cricket during his time at a Karachi school. After returning to the UAE, he dreamed of bringing cricket to a country dominated by football. This dream soon transformed into an obsession, leading Bukhatir to develop a thriving domestic cricket scene. His crowning achievement came in 1981 when he invited international cricket icons for a high-profile exhibition match between Gavaskar XI and Miandad XI, which took place at a temporary stadium. Thousands of Indian and Pakistani expats flocked to watch, sparking a cricket revolution in the desert.
That revolution culminated in the construction of Sharjah Cricket Stadium, which has since hosted many iconic international tournaments and memorable matches. The stadium has left an indelible mark on the UAE’s sports landscape, and on Wednesday, the 250th ODI will take place, although it will feature Rashid Khan’s talented Afghan team against a depleted South African side instead of global cricketing superstars.
Despite the absence of marquee names, the significance of the 250th match is a source of immense pride for Sharjah, which has now outpaced renowned venues like Harare Sports Club, Sydney Cricket Ground, and Melbourne Cricket Ground in terms of ODIs hosted. “We’re now 65 matches ahead of Harare, Sydney, and Melbourne,” Khan said proudly. “This is something Sharjah and the UAE cricket fans will always cherish. We owe it all to Mr. Bukhatir and his family for their extraordinary contribution to cricket in this country.”
Sharjah’s importance extends beyond the UAE. The stadium played a crucial role in the rise of Afghanistan cricket. With political instability preventing Afghanistan from playing international matches at home, Bukhatir extended a helping hand in 2010, offering Sharjah as their adopted home ground. Back then, Afghanistan had no real infrastructure for cricket and was languishing in Division 5 of the ICC World Cricket League. Now, after incredible progress, they have reached the semifinals of the ODI and T20 World Cups, a testament to their passion and Bukhatir’s early support. “Mr. Bukhatir’s vision was ahead of its time,” Khan said, reflecting on how the stadium became a beacon for cricket in the region.
Bukhatir’s forward-thinking approach also infused glamour into the game, with Indian and Pakistani film stars attending matches at the Sharjah Stadium in the 1980s. “Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor—Bollywood legends—were all invited by Mr. Bukhatir. He put the UAE on the global sporting map,” Khan remarked.
Today, Sharjah Cricket Stadium remains a top tourist attraction in Dubai, especially for visitors from the Indian subcontinent. Many tourists, eager to relive the golden days of cricket in Sharjah, visit the stadium to explore its history. According to Khan, “Mr. Khalaf Bukhatir, the CEO of Sharjah Cricket Stadium and son of Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, has made it easier for tourists by allowing free entry. They can explore the stadium, take photos, and even visit the VIP area, which houses a small museum featuring lifesize portraits of cricket legends who played here.”
One of those legends, Wasim Akram, has a special connection to the stadium. Earlier this year, Akram mentioned to Khan that he had taken 122 ODI wickets at Sharjah, a personal record. “He played 77 ODIs at Sharjah, more than any other venue in his career. It’s clear that Wasim, along with Waqar Younis, Imran Khan, Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, and Sunil Gavaskar, all loved playing at this historic ground.”
Sharjah Cricket Stadium’s legacy as a cornerstone of cricket in the Middle East continues to grow, and with 250 ODIs now under its belt, it remains a landmark for cricket fans in Dubai and beyond.