UAE cricket wins Associate Member Women’s Performance award

Notwithstanding their performance in the ongoing Women’s Asia Cup, where they are virtually out of the race to make the next stage following losses in the first two matches, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) women’s cricket team had much to celebrate over the past week. For, they were given the ‘ICC Associate Member Women’s Performance of the Year’ Award for 2023.

The UAE women’s victory at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier in Kuala Lumpur following an unbeaten run was what earned them the coveted award.

“Important victories over the hosts, Qatar and Bahrain preceded a semi-final victory over Hong Kong. In the final matchup against a strong Thailand side, a thrilling six-run win was earned thanks to the mastery of Kavisha Egodage,” said a statement from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The title win helped them advance to the global qualifier, which took place earlier in 2024. The UAE, led by Esha Oza, continued to impress there as well, reaching the semi-final stage on the back of some exceptional performances before being undone by eventual qualifiers Sri Lanka in a closely fought clash at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Cricket Stadium.

“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,” Mubashshir Usmani, the General Secretary of Emirates Cricket Board, was quoted as saying by ICC.  

“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,” he added.

“We are happy with the progress of our team as they continue to rise in their rankings while 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 semi-final and came super close to earning qualification for the prestigious Women’s T20 World Cup.

“The Emirates Cricket Board will continue to invest further in the development of women’s cricket across the country.”

UAE Cricket, Women's Asia Cup, ICC