Venue - Abu Dhabi

The capital city of the United Arab Emirates, which is the largest of the seven Emirates. Abu Dhabi consists mainly of the city of Abu Dhabi with its skyscrapers, the garden city of Al Ain, the Liwa oasis and a vast desert known as Rub Al Khali (the Empty Quarter). Abu Dhabi is often referred to as the ‘quieter cousin of Dubai’ but as these two Emirates (Dubai & Abu Dhabi) are only 1 ¼ hours apart by road, and so participating teams in the 2008 Pro ARCH Trophy will have the best of both worlds.

The Sheikh Zayed International Stadium

The crack of willow on leather and the resounding applause of passionate fans now reverberate across the sands of Abu Dhabi, following the construction of international cricket’s newest stadium in the UAE Capital. Many believe that it will put Abu Dhabi firmly on the international cricketing map as a regular venue for first class matches in the years to come.

 
The Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, named after the late UAE President, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is a multi-million dirham project that has been funded and supported by the Abu Dhabi Government with the aim of turning Abu Dhabi into a world class venue for international cricket tournaments. Abu Dhabi officials were keen to move a step ahead while building this hi-tech project - that of developing and promoting cricket through staging international matches and also through establishment of a cricket academy that will coach UAE nationals and other youngsters, in the finer points of the game.

Stadium Information

• The floodlit facility has an 18,000-seat capacity with eight pitches, all of which are turf
• A massive curved shade canopy covering the Grand Stand pavilion is the highlight of the stadium. It is the largest unsupported structure of any cricket stadium, weighing around 1,000 tonnes and has three pillars placed behind it at the centre, symbolising three cricket stumps
• The latest technology has been used for lighting and scoreboards to ensure accepted international standards for televising matches. The effect of 2,000 Lux vertical illumination will be felt on the pitch. The inner fielding circle will be covered by 1,200 and the outer circle by another 1,300 Lux illumination
• The South Stand has a capacity of 9,000 and features the VVIP and VIP facilities
• Spectator boxes, press and media enclosures, squash courts, changing rooms, kitchen and restaurants are also part of the South Stand. The South Stand also features a circular Club House, with restaurants and a gymnasium
• The lights are perched on the towers at a height of 70 metres. At the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, that has hosted the maximum number of one-day Internationals to date, the lights are placed at 45 metres on the towers. Even the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India, one of the best in the world for its flood-lit system, has its lights perched at 62 metres
• The newly refurbished practice ground, boasts 8 nets, 4 of which are turf, and a large fielding area.

Media Facilities

Perched some 100 feet above the playing surface the press box at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi offers media representatives the best view in the house. The following facilities will be available:

• Dedicated Press Area
• Telephone
• Wireless Broadband
• Catering
• Facsimile
• Access to Players

Press Transportation to Stadium (from hotel) can be arranged by our tour partner Arabian Cricket Ltd.