T20 WC 2021: Abu Dhabi's latest venue all set to host major teams in future

Taking into account the Indian Premier League matches hosted by UAE across three venues, it can be concluded that the Zayed Cricket Stadium can probably be regarded as a good batting track. Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad played their last league game here and that turned out to be a high-scoring contest. The Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians teams that were based in the capital had been practicing on the Tolerance Oval pitches whilst their training sessions.

The Tolerance Oval is adjacent to the northern end of the main stadium and it has been renovated with the view of hosting major international matches in the near future. However, the venue has already hosted nine T20 internationals which also includes the instance when UAE had hosted Australia in the year 2018. The decision to develop Abu Dhabi Cricket’s third oval was eventually taken this summer.

The venue is set to accommodate 12,000 spectators. Last week the KKR players were the first ones to practice under the new floodlights which appeared to have the suitable intensity that can allow HD TV broadcast. It will host the warm-up games of the T20 World Cup but without crowds. According to the T20 World Cup organizers’ directives, the venue will welcome a number of sports’ leading teams next week. England, Pakistan, and West Indies are some of the noteworthy teams that will take the charge of the newest venue for their warm-up games.

We’re absolutely thrilled with the final product: Abu Dhabi Cricket’s chief executive

Abu Dhabi Cricket’s chief executive Matt Boucher shared his views on the new venue, he stated, “The ground has enabled us to diversify our offering to global stakeholders – such as the IPL, ICC, and BCCI – while ensuring the main stadium deserves the care and attention she needs in advance of the main tournament Round 1 and Super 12 match rotation,” Boucher said.

“The next stage will see us finalize the ICC night accreditation for one-day international and T20 international matches with the Emirates Cricket Board before the ground officially becomes a new cricketing destination for the world. We’re absolutely thrilled with the final product,” he added.