The Emirates Cricket Board has achieved a new global milestone, winning three awards at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Development Awards for 2025, announced during the ICC's annual conference in recognition of outstanding programmes and initiatives contributing to the development of the game worldwide.
The Emirates Cricket Board won the Development Initiative of the Year award for its Under-15 Girls Academy League project, and also claimed, for the second consecutive year, the Best Women's Cricket Initiative award for its programmes aimed at spreading the game among girls.
The UAE's achievement was completed when the UAE Women's national team won the Best Performing Women's Associate Member Team award, following historic results against Zimbabwe that saw the side draw the One Day International (ODI) series 2-2, before winning the International T20 series 2-0 — securing the team's first away series victory.
Zayed Abbas, member and official spokesperson of the Emirates Cricket Board, said: "We take great pride in this global achievement, which confirms that the UAE has become a leading model in the development of cricket at both the regional and international levels. Winning three prestigious awards from the International Cricket Council reflects the success of the Emirates Cricket Board's strategy, the significant support that the sport enjoys in the country, and the continuous efforts to expand the base of participants — especially girls — and to raise the level of the national teams. We consider these awards an incentive to continue our work, consolidate the UAE's status as a global cricket hub, host major tournaments, and launch quality initiatives that serve the future of the game."