Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – The UAE women’s cricket team has been recognized with the ICC Associate Member Women’s Performance of the Year award following their remarkable showing in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The team’s journey to this accolade was marked by significant victories over hosts Malaysia, Qatar, and Bahrain, culminating in a semifinal triumph against Hong Kong and a nail-biting final win over Thailand.
In a display of cricketing prowess, the UAE edged out Thailand by six runs in the final, with Kavisha Egodage’s masterful performance proving decisive. This victory secured their place in the global qualifier held earlier this year, where the UAE continued to make waves by reaching the semifinal stage.
Under the leadership of Esha Oza, the team faced a formidable Sri Lankan side at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Cricket Stadium. Despite a closely contested match, the UAE fell just short, losing to the experienced Sri Lankans. However, their journey to the semifinals was marked by exceptional performances that earned them widespread admiration.
“Winning the ICC Associate Member Women’s Performance of the Year award is a proud moment for UAE cricket. Over the last few years, we have laid special emphasis on promoting and developing women’s cricket and it is heartening to see those efforts have now started to bear fruit,” said Mubashshir Usmani, General Secretary of the Emirates Cricket Board.
“Our team won the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers in Malaysia by remaining unbeaten in the entire event. Our current captain Esha Oza performed exceptionally in the tournament.
This success has been possible due to the hard work and the training that these girls undergo at our facilities,” Usmani added, highlighting the dedication and commitment of the players and the support provided by the Emirates Cricket Board.
Usmani also lauded the UAE team’s resilience and determination in the face of more experienced international teams. “We are happy with the progress of our team as they continue to rise in their rankings.
Their upward curve is evident from their outstanding performance in the recent ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier in Abu Dhabi where they fought tenaciously till the very end against a formidable opponent like Sri Lanka in the semifinal and came super close to earning qualification for the prestigious Women’s T20 World Cup,” he said.
Looking ahead, Usmani affirmed the Emirates Cricket Board’s commitment to further developing women’s cricket across the country. “The Emirates Cricket Board will continue to invest in the development of women’s cricket. Our aim is to ensure that our teams are well-prepared to compete at the highest levels,” he stated.
The UAE women’s team is currently in Sri Lanka for the Women’s Asia Cup, which runs from July 19-28. They will open their campaign in Group A against Nepal on July 19, followed by matches against India on July 21 and Pakistan on July 23.
Group B features hosts Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Malaysia, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semifinals.
As the UAE women’s cricket team continues to make strides on the international stage, their recent accolades and performances signal a bright future for women’s cricket in the region.
The ICC Associate Member Women’s Performance of the Year award is a testament to their hard work, resilience, and growing stature in the world of cricket.
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