UAE Women’s Cricket Team Earns ODI Status in a Historic Breakthrough
UAE’s national women’s cricket team has officially joined the ranks of 50-over international cricket, securing One-Day International (ODI) status for the 2025-2029 cycle — a milestone hailed as a “historic moment” by captain Esha Oza.
Over the weekend, the International Cricket Council (ICC) awarded 50-over status to five Associate Member nations, with the UAE replacing the United States in the group of 16 teams eligible to play ODIs over the next four years.
While Thailand and Scotland retained their ODI status through qualification for the upcoming Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in 2025, Papua New Guinea and the Netherlands secured theirs via T20I rankings. The UAE clinched its spot as the next-highest ranked Associate Member.
UAE captain Esha Oza called the news a result of “years of hard work” by players past and present, and expressed pride in seeing the team reach a long-standing goal.
“It is a great achievement. Over the years, that is something we have always looked to do — play 50-over cricket,” said Esha. “From the first-ever team that represented the UAE to the one that will now play ODIs, it’s a proud moment for everyone involved.”
Esha expressed her gratitude to the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and all those connected to the national programme. “A big congratulations to everyone – the players, coaches, support staff, and board members. It has been an amazing journey and a historic moment for the UAE women’s cricket setup.”
Tracing the team’s roots to their first international appearance in 2009, Esha recalled, “That’s when it all started – when people dared to dream of representing the UAE.”
The 27-year-old all-rounder emphasized that the team is well-prepared for the longer format. “We’re not new to 50-over cricket. Many of us have played domestic 50-over matches — in Mumbai, academy games, and even 40-over matches with the boys. The recent 50-over championship proved we’re ready,” she said.
She acknowledged the shift in format: “ODI cricket is very different from T20s. It is more physically demanding and tests all facets of your game, but our team is ready.”
Esha is confident this development will fuel the growth of women’s cricket across the nation and open doors for future generations of cricketers.
“It’s not just about us who go to the camps. There is so much untapped talent in the UAE. This is an exciting time — we’ll gain more match experience, more international exposure. To young girls out there: pick up a bat and ball — this is your time.”
Khalid Al Zarooni, Vice-Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, praised the team’s dedication.
“We are immensely proud of what the women’s team has achieved. Gaining ODI status is a monumental step that reflects the determination, skills, and perseverance of the players, supported strongly by our coaching staff and development teams,” he said.
“Moving forward, the ECB is committed to offering the best infrastructure, top-tier training facilities, and regular international match exposure at both junior and senior levels to help the women’s game flourish.”
The UAE women’s team is now poised for greater opportunities and a brighter international future.
— V.2 Editorial Team
