From Sharjah To The World, The Story Of An Emirati Cricket Visionary

2026-02-03 02:22:42

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

Abdulrahman Bukhatir, whose vision helped the Sharjah Cricket Stadium become the world's most iconic neutral venue, will launch his autobiography on February 14

PUBLISHED: Tue 3 Feb 2026, 6:37 PM UPDATED: Tue 3 Feb 2026, 6:41 PM

By:
Rituraj Borkakoty

Hailed as the Kerry Packer of the Middle East for adding a glamour quotient to the sport in the 1980s, legendary Emirati cricket promoter and businessman Abdulrahman Bukhatir is set to launch his autobiography on February 14.

The book traces Bukhatir's remarkable journey - from a schoolboy who fell in love with cricket during his time in Pakistan to an ambitious businessman who played a pivotal role in helping the sport take root in the desert.

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While Packer, the late Australian media tycoon, transformed cricket by introducing white-ball matches and coloured clothing in the 1970s, Bukhatir's vision helped the Sharjah Cricket Stadium become the world's most iconic neutral venue.

The stadium went on to host countless unforgettable matches which were often attended by famous film stars from India.

From Javed Miandad's last-ball, match-winning six against India in 1986 to Sachin Tendulkar's 'Desert Storm' against Australia in 1998, Sharjah became synonymous with high-octane thrillers.

The stadium, which hosted its first international match in 1984, also entered the Guinness Book of World Records by staging 255 One-Day Internationals.

Among Bukhatir's most significant contributions was the introduction of the Cricketers' Benefit Fund Series (CBFS), a groundbreaking initiative which was launched to provide financial support to a select group of retired international players, particularly from South Asia.

“To me, it was always about cricket and its promotion. The CBFS experiment was unique, and no one has matched the $4 million we gave away as prize money with no strings attached,” Bukhatir told Khaleej Times in an interview in 2022.

The UAE cricket pioneer also takes pride in having turned Sharjah into the most glamorous neutral venue in world cricket.

“The presence of celebrities was a bonus, and it was the glamour that galvanised live television and created the beginnings of what is now a billion-dollar broadcast industry. Yes, you can say Sharjah was the spearhead of this heady sports-and-stars combination,” he said.

A big admirer of legendary Pakistani batsman Hanif Mohammad, Bukhatir also played a key role in launching club cricket in the UAE in the 1970s.

His tireless efforts saw the UAE emerge as the leading cricketing force in the Middle East, with the national team now set to make its third appearance at the ICC T20 World Cup (February 7 to March 8) in India.

The new book is a celebration of a visionary cricket administrator who viewed the sport as a unifying force, bringing all South Asian communities together in the UAE.