Cricket unites South Asian expats in second home Saudi Arabia

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Cricket in Saudi Arabia, for decades, was a game played almost exclusively by the South Asian diaspora, but now it is set to take a giant leap across the country. (Riyadh Cricket Association)
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Updated 22 February 2024
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Cricket unites South Asian expats in second home Saudi Arabia

  • SACF has lined up several programs to promote the sport in KSA
  • Pakistani greats Wasin Akram and Shoaib Akhter have been in Riyadh and met the SACF chief

RIYADH: Cricket is a game that has an almost magical ability to unite South Asian expatriates in their second home Saudi Arabia.

On every weekend and whenever there is a time to play, mostly on public holidays, they gather at some grounds, parks and open spaces to play street cricket.

For decades, early-morning gatherings were the only way for the South Asian diaspora to play cricket.

Expatriates from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh had few entertainment options other than cricket in the Kingdom before social reforms in line with Saudi Vision 2030 were unveiled in 2016, so would play friendly matches.

For decades, cricket in Saudi Arabia was a game played almost exclusively by the South Asian diaspora, but now it is set to take a giant leap across the country, with the game’s ruling body in the Kingdom introducing a series of competitions and programs to encourage the nation’s youth to take up one of the world’s oldest and most popular sports.

The Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation, established in 2020, has lined up a series of major programs to promote the game among Saudis and expatriates in the Kingdom.

With Prince Saud bin Mishal Al-Saud as chairman of the federation, long-term plans have been put in place to ensure that Saudi Arabian national teams can compete with the world’s best in the future.

Arab News, in an exclusive interview, spoke to the diaspora from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who shared their memories and experiences of playing cricket in Saudi Arabia.

Mohammed Azimooddin Abdul Rahiman Karajagi, who is an ICC-certified curator and umpire, and head coach of the Riyadh Cricket Association, told Arab News: “I have seen cricket being played in this region for almost 25 years now. In the beginning there was very limited opportunity to play the game by expatriate communities from the South Asian countries, they would gather at some open space for a friendly match. Then club cricket started and now the SACF headed by Prince Saud is doing a lot for the development of cricket in the Kingdom, starting with the National Cricket Championship, the biggest ever cricket tournament in the history of Saudi Arabia.”

He added: “As result of the mega-competition a formidable Saudi national cricket team was formed and they went on to lift ACC Men’s Challenger Cup consecutively, last year and this year, taking the game to another level (and) now will play the Premier Cup to qualify for the Asia Cup.

“We, the cricket lovers in the Kingdom, congratulate the SACF for taking initiatives to develop the game; we are delighted to see that world-class cricketers are emerging from the Kingdom, and wish all the best to the Saudi team qualify not only to the Asia cup but also to the Cricket World Cup,” he said.

Arab News caught Syed Salman Hussain from Pakistan, who was busy in net practice at Mark Cricket Academy, which is affiliated to the RCA at its home ground in Al-Sulai Industrial Area, Al-Mashael District in Riyadh.

Hussain enjoys playing cricket whenever he has time off work, and hopes to play one day in the Saudi national cricket team.

On playing cricket in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, he said it is tougher here as the cricket kit is not fully available, and must be brought from his homeland. Moreover, to play on the grassless pitches in Riyadh is tough.

“Here the ground is full of stones and sand, as against green grassy playground in Bangladesh,” said Nojmul Hasan from Dhaka, blaming the sandy area beside a shopping mall’s parking lot for his team’s slow run buildup in a friendly match.

“There are no carefully manicured grass pitches for cricketers in this city carved out of the desert. In Riyadh, there is hardly any grass. But the good thing is, after the formation of the SACF, things are changing, we have heard that there is work in progress for turf wicket here, so that’s great news.”

Obaidullah Zaman from Afghanistan, who is working in Riyadh for several years and plays cricket with the Mark Cricket Academy in Al-Mashael District every Friday, is happy with the pace of change, saying: “We are really excited to see the development around cricket in Saudi Arabia with the federation planning to have professional cricket academies, more grounds, better facilities with entertainment and other services around them to attract Saudi as well as the diaspora to the game. I look forward to finding a place in the national team either here or in my Afghan team, so I come religiously to practice at my academy and be prepared to play the matches organized by the RCA.”

Mohamed Sauky, a Sri Lankan expat playing cricket in Riyadh, told Arab News: “We are very passionate about cricket. My favorite cricketer is Angelo Mathews from Sri Lanka. One day I aspire to be like him and represent the national team, therefore, I participate in all the training sessions by the RCA and as a result I am the highest wicket taker so far this season. With the coaching facilities, practice sessions on the net and practice matches, we are enhancing our skill. Playing together, we the South Asian diaspora enjoy our diversity and share our experiences to help each other in enhancing the skill to become a better player.”

Kannan K. Gopi, an Indian who has lived here for decades and plays cricket, was selected in the Saudi national cricket team to play the 40 overs tournament, but could not join because of the age factor. He still joins the players in the practice sessions and also coaches new players aspiring to be professional cricketers making it to the national team.

Sharing old memories, Gopi said: “Earlier, expats formed some clubs to play the game, now things are progressing well. We are looking forward to our favorite sport taking a big leap in the Kingdom, with the SACF keen to introduce a series of programs and domestic leagues.”

Speaking to Arab News last year regarding the plans, Prince Saud said: “Saudi Arabia is the biggest country in the region with the biggest number of teams and players. So there will be leagues on all levels. We have developed throughout our time in the federation great relationships with the International Cricket Council, the global governing body of cricket, and the Asian Cricket Council, the organization that promotes and develops the sport of cricket in Asia, as well as some successful international cricket boards and big cricketers globally.”

High-profile figures from the world of cricket have offered their expertise and backing for cricket in the Kingdom.

Pakistani greats Wasin Akram and Shoaib Akhter, Indian pacer Irfan Pathan, and British cricketer Kevin Pietersen have been in Riyadh and met the SACF chief to discuss cricket and share expertise on how to develop the game.


Liverpool rocked by Brighton’s late fightback

Updated 20 May 2025
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Liverpool rocked by Brighton’s late fightback

BRIGHTON: Brighton’s Jack Hinshelwood sealed a dramatic 3-2 victory against Liverpool on Monday to leave the Premier League champions without a win since clinching the title.
Arne Slot’s side took the lead through Harvey Elliott’s early opener before Yasin Ayari equalized at the Amex Stadium.
Dominik Szoboszlai restored Liverpool’s advantage just before the interval, but Brighton staged a late fightback as Kaoru Mitoma levelled before Hinshelwood came off the bench to net with his first touch.
Liverpool have taken just one point from their three matches following the title-clinching rout of Tottenham on April 27.
The Reds have lost at Brighton and Chelsea and squandered a two-goal lead in a draw with Arsenal since their record-equalling 20th English crown was confirmed
They can now look forward to receiving the Premier League trophy in Sunday’s season finale against FA cup winners Crystal Palace at Anfield before an open-top bus parade through the city 24 hours later.
Slot had admitted that motivating the champions for the final two matches of the season was a tricky task and his fears were confirmed by this sloppy display.
Slot’s players had a celebratory trip to Dubai this week and only returned to training on Friday, while the Reds boss was seen partying in Ibiza for several days, as they soaked in a title victory secured in April.
“Did you see me on social media!” Slot said with a laugh in reply to a question about how focused he had been on the Brighton game.
After being given a guard of honor by Brighton’s players before kick-off, Liverpool initially showed signs of rebuking the doubters who claimed their minds were elswhere.
Ahead of his widely-expected move to Real Madrid when his contract expires in the close-season, Trent Alexander-Arnold was left on the bench for a second successive game.
Conor Bradley featured at right-back instead and showed why he is a contender to replace Alexander-Arnold with his role in Liverpool’s ninth minute opener.
When Mohamed Salah rolled a pass to Bradley, he shifted gears with a dynamic burst into the Brighton area before clipping a precise pass toward Elliott, who slotted home from close-range.
The goal meant Liverpool had scored in every away game of a league season for the first time in their history.
Bradley’s attacking runs had more than a touch of Alexander-Arnold about them, but his finishing wasn’t up to scratch when he took Federico Chiesa’s pass and fired wide from 10 yards.
Ayari grabbed Brighton’s eye-catching equalizer in the 32nd minute.
The Sweden midfielder eluded Bradley and drilled a fine low finish past Alisson Becker from the edge of the area after Brajan Gruda’s lofted pass prised open the Liverpool defense.
Liverpool regained the lead on the stroke of half-time when Szoboszlai caught out Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen with a swerving strike from wide on the right flank that whistled into the top corner.
Szoboszlai’s bemused grin as he celebrated suggested the midfielder’s effort might have been a miscued cross rather than a shot.
Brighton went close twice at the start of the second half as Alisson clawed away Danny Welbeck’s free-kick and kept out Gruda’s 20-yard blast.
Salah was captaining Liverpool for the first time in the Premier League to mark his 300th appearance in the competition.
But the Egypt forward missed an open goal when he flicked Cody Gakpo’s cross wide from five yards.
It was a costly mistake from Salah as Brighton equalized in the 69th minute.
Welbeck’s shot was pushed out by Alisson and Japan winger Mitoma hammered in the rebound.
Hinshelwood completed Brighton’s thrilling comeback in the 85th minute, the substitute slotting home from Matt O’Riley’s cross.


SPL announces five nominees for Player of the Season award

Updated 19 May 2025
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SPL announces five nominees for Player of the Season award

  • Winner will be determined through a voting process distributed as follows: 40% from coaches, 40% from team captains, 15% from sports media professionals, and 5% from fans

RIYADH: The Technical Committee of the Roshn Saudi League has selected five nominees for the Player of the Season award as announced by the league’s official account on the social media platform X, SPL_EN.

The shortlist includes French striker Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal winger Salem Al-Dawsari, Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo — the captain of Al-Nassr — Brazilian defender Roger Ibanez from Al-Ahli, and Argentine midfielder Cristian Guanca of Al-Shabab.

The selection was based on the league’s eligibility criteria, which require nominees to have participated in at least 40 percent of their team’s total league matches, regardless of position or nationality.

The winner will be determined through a voting process distributed as follows: 40 percent from coaches, 40 percent from team captains, 15 percent from sports media professionals, and 5 percent from fans.

In terms of performance stats: Benzema played 28 matches, scoring 21 goals and providing 9 assists; Ronaldo also played 28 matches, recording 23 goals and 3 assists.

Al-Dawsari contributed 15 goals and 14 assists in 30 matches, while Guanca appeared in a team-high 32 matches, scoring 10 goals and assisting 11.

Ibanez stood out defensively, leading Al-Ahli’s backline in 30 matches, helping the team keep 8 clean sheets, making 121 clearances, and achieving a 75 percent success rate in tackles.


Al-Nassr unveils new crest to mark club’s 70th anniversary

Updated 19 May 2025
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Al-Nassr unveils new crest to mark club’s 70th anniversary

  • New look unveiled in video showcase with the caption ‘A great legacy and history, and a promising future’
  • The crown atop the crest has gone, the name of the team is now simply ‘Nassr,’ and ‘Riyadh’ is added along with ‘1955,’ the year the club was founded

RIYADH: Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr on Monday unveiled a new official crest, which club officials said is part of a refreshed visual identity in celebration of the team’s 70th anniversary.

A message posted by the team’s official account on social media platform X included a video showcasing the new design with the caption: “A great legacy and history, and a promising future. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary, here is the Al-Nassr logo.”

The redesign features several notable changes, the most obvious of which is the removal of the crown that previously sat atop the crest. The name of the team in English is now stated simply as “Nassr,” the prefix “Al-” used in previous iterations now dropped. “Riyadh” has been added at the bottom of the logo, referencing the club’s home city, along with the year in which the team was founded: 1955. The map of the Arabian Peninsula at the center of the crest remains.

The most recent significant update prior to this came on Oct. 15, 2020, when a laurel wreath around the sides of the crest and a yellow ribbon at the bottom were removed.

Al-Nassr was founded on Oct. 24, 1955, and grew to become one of the most prominent clubs in Saudi Arabia and the wider region. With two matches left to play in the league this season, they sit in fourth place, 13 points behind confirmed champions Al-Ittihad.


SPL announces Best Saudi Player nominations

Updated 19 May 2025
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SPL announces Best Saudi Player nominations

  • To be eligible, a player must have participated in at least 40% of their team’s total league matches

RIYADH: The Roshn Saudi League has announced the preliminary list of nominees for the Best Saudi Player award in the current season.

The list, published Monday on the league’s official account on platform X, @SPL_EN, features Al-Ittihad winger Abdulrahman Al-Aboud—representing the reigning champions—alongside Al-Hilal’s Salem Al-Dawsari, Al-Shabab midfielder Musab Al-Juwair, Al-Khaleej striker Abdullah Al-Salem, and Al-Qadisiyah winger Turki Al-Ammar.

These five players fulfilled the nomination criteria announced by the league on May 5.

To be eligible, a player must have participated in at least 40 percent of their team’s total league matches, regardless of position or age. The award is also open to players born in Saudi Arabia, in addition to Saudi nationals.

Al-Aboud appeared in 27 matches, scoring 7 goals and providing 7 assists, playing a key role in Al-Ittihad clinching the title with two rounds to spare.

Al-Dawsari featured in 30 matches, recording 15 goals and 14 assists.

Al-Ammar took part in 29 games, contributing 4 goals and 6 assists.

Al-Juwair, on loan at Al-Shabab from Al-Hilal, was involved in 14 goals—scoring 5 and assisting 9.

Al-Salem also contributed to 14 goals, with 10 goals and 4 assists.

The nominees were selected by the league’s technical committee, comprising Turki Al-Sultan, Sultan Al-Luhaiani, Khaled Al-Shanif, Manaf Abu Shaqeer, and Obaidullah Al-Eisi.

The list will be narrowed down to three finalists. The winner will be determined through a voting process divided as follows: 40 percent from coaches, 40 percent from team captains, 15 percent from sports media professionals, and 5 percent from fans.


UAE’s HM Alchahine triumphs in Rome 

Updated 19 May 2025
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UAE’s HM Alchahine triumphs in Rome 

  • Victory claimed in fifth leg of UAE President’s Cup Series for Purebred Arabian Horses

ABU DHABI: The UAE’s HM Alchahine delivered a standout performance to capture the title in the fifth leg of the prestigious UAE President’s Cup Series for Purebred Arabian Horses, which was held at the historic Capannelle Racecourse in Rome on Sunday. The race formed part of the 32nd edition of the globally recognized series.

The UAE President’s Cup continues to make its mark across major European racing circuits, further strengthening its presence and impact in the international Arabian racing landscape.

The series is held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, vice president, deputy prime minister, and chairman of the Presidential Court.

The series aligns with long-term goals to support breeders, owners, and the Arabian horse industry worldwide.

HM Alchahine, which is owned by Hilal Al-Alawi and trained by Elisabeth Bernard, was ridden to victory by Cristian Demuro. The colt surged into the lead at the final turn and then accelerated powerfully to secure a decisive win, his eighth victory out of nine career starts.

The Group 2 turf race was contested over 2,000 meters and drew a field of 16 of the finest Arabians from across Italy and Europe. The total prize purse was almost $338,000.

Second was Afjan, representing Al-Shaqab Racing, which was trained by Jean de Mieulle and ridden by Olivier D’Andigne, while third place went to Extra Time.

The race was attended by Abdulla Ali Al-Saboosi, UAE’s ambassador to the Italian Republic, and Faisal Al-Rahmani, secretary-general of the Higher Organizing Committee of the UAE President’s Cup Series. Also present was Mattia Cadrobbi, president of the Italian Arabian Horse Association, along with distinguished diplomatic representatives from various nations.

Al-Rahmani said: “We are proud of the success of the Italy leg (of the series), which continues to embody the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.

“We extend our deepest gratitude for his generous support and pioneering role in advancing the Arabian horse legacy.

“Italy has become a key destination for champions and a gateway to elite European and Gulf races. Congratulations to Hilal Al-Alawi for this distinguished UAE victory with HM Alchahine, which reflects the outstanding capabilities of Emirati stables on the global stage.”