Cricket in Saudi Arabia is set for a bigger boom than those mighty sixes smashed by the likes of Ben Stokes, Rishabh Pant and Chris Gayle. It’s been played in Riyadh since the 1960s, mostly by expats from the subcontinent or countries such as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. But after the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation was formed last year, the hope is to drive the young, untapped talent of the kingdom towards one of the world’s oldest sports.
The federation set up the National Cricket Championship, which had 7,000 cricketers representing 360 teams doing battle with leather and willow at more than 100 grounds in 11 cities across Saudi.
Federation chairman Prince Saud Bin Mishal Al Saud is excited to promote the game among both local and expats, with an expat league running alongside a social cricket programme in several cities, plus coaching in schools.
He said: “One of our biggest plans is to have proper infrastructure for the game, since we don’t have it today. We are planning to have cricket academies, more grounds, better facilities with entertainment and other services around them to attract Saudi as well as foreign youth to the game.
“One of our biggest objectives is to bring a better quality of life for expatriates working here. We have about eight million people from Asian countries where cricket is the most popular game, places such as India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.”
The decision to pump money into the sport is all part of the Saudi Vision 2030’s Quality of Life scheme, with the aim to increase physical activity among residents by 40 per cent during the next decade. So where can you play cricket in Riyadh? Here’s a quick guide that hopefully won’t leave you stumped for choices.
Where to play cricket in Riyadh
The best place to start your own cricketing crusade in Saudi would be to check out the SACF’s website. Here you can find reams of useful information about cricket in the kingdom, including youth, corporate and women’s programmes that have been set up.
In the capital, there are two main organisers of competitive matches – the Riyadh Cricket Association and the Riyadh Cricket League. The team at both are more than happy to help you hook you up with a club near you or even just one that plays in your favourite colours. The majority of cricket matches in Riyadh (for now) are played on three grounds. The King Faisal Specialist Hospital (Prince Faisal Ibn Bandar Ibn Abdul Aziz Rd, An Narjis) has two pitches, the Riyadh Cricket Association Grounds at Al Bariah have 14 pitches, while the Riyadh Cricket League Grounds near Az Zahra has a further 13. These three are where most of the competitive league action is played, although there are plans to create many more purpose-built cricket grounds in the capital.
Where to improve your cricket game
Arkan Sport
This is the first purpose-built indoor cricket and multi-sport centre in the whole of Saudi Arabia, so where better to perfect those quality cover drives, unplayable googlies and Superman-style slip catches than right here? There’s a real community feel to this hugely impressive place, which along with cricket offers you the chance to have a game of basketball, football, volleyball, handball, badminton and table tennis. It’s home to the Modon series of sports tournaments that have a fun social side but are also of a standard suitable for your ultra-competitive teammates. As for the cricket, you can’t help but be wowed by the facilities here, whether you’re at Arkan just for some net practice or a full-on match in one of its indoor leagues. We were bowled over by this place as soon as we first walked out to bat.
Open daily 4pm-11pm. 125 Street, Second Industrial City, arkansport.com.sa (9200 06553).
Where to watch international cricket
If you want to cheer on your mates playing in the various cricket leagues across Riyadh, then there’s no reason why you can’t just pop along for the afternoon (make sure you pack plenty of food and water, plus that much-needed sunblock). However, if it’s professional action you’re after then you should head to one of the capital’s sports cafés and ask them politely to let you have one of the screens that will invariably be dominated by football.
Al Masaa Café
This place can hold up to 1,050 people (a certified Guinness World Record for such an establishment) and while it is popular most times of the week, they’ll be happy to put the cricket on for you if it doesn’t clash with the footie. If you want a feed on matchday, Al Masaa Café has you covered and we would highly recommend ordering one of its signature burgers and follow it up with a decadent dessert.
Open daily 6am-2am. King Abdullah Road, Al Mohamadiyah, almasaacafe.com
(014 561 291).
De Ze7en
This popular café, located in Al Nakheel district in Riyadh, really knows its stuff when it comes to great coffee and cakes. You can choose to take a seat inside at one of the open tables or out on the terrace if you want to do some stargazing. We’re here for the cricket though, right? So we’d heartily suggest you book you and your crew one of the booths that come with its own flat-screen TV.
Open daily 24/7. Prince Turki Bin Abdul Aziz Street, Al Nakheel, de-ze7en.business.site (055 720 6943).
Fans Up Café
This cracking venue in Riyadh’s Al Wahah district boasts the kingdom’s first-ever sports cinema where you can watch live action from around the world on a projector screen while sitting in seats comfier than some sofas we’ve owned in the past. Fans Up Café also serves an array of tasty bites including club sandwiches, burgers, subs, wraps and plenty more besides. And even if you can’t book a place in the purpose-built cinema, you can still cheer your team on thanks to the array of TVs dotted around this welcoming haven for fans of all sporting persuasions.
Open Sat-Thu 6am-1am, Fri noon-2am. Rafha Street, Al Wahah (011 203 8222).
Sports Café
This bustling spot has a gigantic TV bank behind the bar holding no fewer than 29 screens, including one massive one in the centre. The mezzanine level arguably has the best view, and therefore the most sought-after seats. Just as impressive as its coverage of all major sporting events is the food menu at Sports Café. Forget the usual chicken in a basket fare, this place rustles up some true gastronomic delights.
Open daily 4.30pm-1.30am. Prince Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz Rd, Al Olaya, instagram.com/spcafe_sa (920 005707).
