Saudi Cricket – How It Works, Who Plays, and How You Can Join

77

If you live in Saudi Arabia and love cricket, you might have already heard the sound of leather on willow echoing from dusty parking lots or expansive open grounds. That’s Saudi cricket in action. From community tournaments in Riyadh to official matches between Saudi Arabia and countries such as Malaysia or Singapore, the sport is growing quietly yet strongly across the Kingdom.

You don’t need to look far to find signs of it. In Dammam, weekend cricket leagues run almost year-round. In Jeddah, youth training camps are popping up. Some even play in remote desert spaces after work hours. What was once a backyard sport for expats is now becoming part of the sports map in Saudi Arabia — with organized leagues, proper teams, and an official national side recognized by the ICC.

Cricket in Saudi Arabia isn’t just about big stadiums or famous players. It’s about joining friends, sweating under the sun, and enjoying the game wherever you can. That’s what makes Saudi cricket different — and enjoyable.

So, how can you be a part of Saudi cricket?

You can play for fun in a local team. You can register for minor city leagues. If you’re serious, you can even try joining the Saudi national team if you meet the conditions. Many players in the national squad started small, playing tape-ball cricket after work, and slowly climbed up.

What Is Saudi Cricket?

Saudi cricket is a growing sports scene comprising weekend leagues, company tournaments, and an official national team that now competes internationally. You’ll find it being played in open fields, fenced stadiums, or even makeshift grounds behind buildings — especially in cities with large South Asian communities, such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Makkah.

The Saudi Cricket Federation is the primary governing body overseeing the sport. They organize national trials, tournaments, and overseas matches. Since Saudi Arabia became an associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC), its team has played in T20 World Cup qualifiers and regional cups. This gives more recognition to players and builds the sport’s credibility.

In short, Saudi cricket has become a serious matter. But it still keeps its street-side soul.

How to Join the Saudi Cricket Team – A Simple Guide

If you’re living in Saudi Arabia and seriously love cricket, joining the national team might sound like a big dream — but it’s not impossible. Many of the current players started just like you, playing in local matches with friends or coworkers, then slowly making their way up.

To get in, you need to stay active in the local cricket scene and follow the proper steps. You don’t need to be famous or have big sponsors. You just need to play regularly and show up when it counts.

Start with City Leagues or Weekend Matches

In places like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, weekend cricket leagues operate throughout the year. These leagues are full of expats and locals who play real, competitive matches — not just casual games. If you’ve played with a team before or even just with friends, you can ask to join one of these clubs.

Many teams are always looking for bowlers, batters, and even part-time wicketkeepers. If you’re good, you’ll stand out. And if you’re consistent, you’ll get noticed.

How do you find a team? Ask around in your area. Visit the cricket grounds on weekends. Or go online — Facebook groups and WhatsApp chats are filled with cricket-related updates.

Look for Official Trials and Camps

Occasionally, the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF) holds open trials. These are official, and they look for fresh players for their training camps or development squads. You’ll need to bring your gear and show your skills — basic fitness, bowling, batting, fielding — nothing fancy, but real effort.

To find these trials, keep an eye on SACF’s social media pages. They usually post announcements there. If you see one, register fast. Trials can happen in any city, and slots fill up quickly.

To be eligible:

• You need to live in Saudi Arabia legally
• You must have a valid Iqama (if you’re not a citizen)
• You must be able to attend in person — they don’t accept just online forms

Join a Cricket Club or Academy

Some cities have cricket academies that provide serious training for players. These places help you improve your skills and get match experience. The better academies also send their top players to national-level selectors.

Here are a few known ones:

• Riyadh Mavericks
• Jeddah Kings
• Desert Warriors (Dammam)

They all participate in city tournaments, and selectors occasionally visit to scout them. Playing for these teams regularly is one of the easiest ways to move toward the national setup.

Can You Join Online?

Yes, but only the registration part. You can sometimes fill out an online form when SACF opens trials. They’ll ask for your name, age, Iqama number, cricket role (like batsman or bowler), and your experience.

However, remember that even if you sign up online, they still need to see you play. No one gets picked without showing real performance on the field. Be prepared when the trial date arrives.

Saudi Arabia National Cricket Team – Players, Matches, and Salaries

The Saudi Arabia national cricket team may not be as famous as India or Pakistan yet, but it’s growing. The team is comprised of local players and expatriates who’ve lived in Saudi Arabia for years. Most of them were found through city leagues or SACF-organized trials.

These players have represented Saudi Arabia in regional tournaments, such as the ACC Western Region T20, ICC World Cup Qualifiers, and friendly matches against countries like Malaysia and Singapore. The more the team plays, the better they’re getting.

Team Players and Squad Info

The current squad typically changes based on tournaments, but it mainly comprises players from cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. Most of them are from countries like Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka — but they’ve lived in Saudi Arabia legally for years and now represent the country.

Here are some roles in the squad:

• Top-order batsmen: Consistent players who open or bat at No. 3
• Middle-order batters: Often play quick innings in T20 matches
• Fast bowlers: Mostly medium pace, but accurate
• Spinners: Off-spin and leg-spin specialists are common
• All-rounders: These players are the most valuable and often get picked first
• Wicketkeepers: Skilled behind the stumps, usually flexible middle-order batters too

Keep in mind, the team may change every few months. SACF usually picks the playing squad based on domestic performance and training camp results.

Matches They Play

The team plays in ICC-recognized tournaments and regional competitions. Some of the recent matches include:

• Malaysia vs Saudi Arabia
• Singapore vs Saudi Arabia
• Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman matches in the ACC region
• T20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers

Most of these matches are either T20 or 50-over formats. Saudi Arabia doesn’t play Test matches — it’s more focused on short-format cricket for now.

Some matches are played abroad, while others are hosted in Saudi stadiums or neutral venues in the UAE or Oman.

If you want to follow the team, check platforms like CricClubs, Fancode, or ESPNcricinfo. They cover scores, lineups, and match schedules for most Saudi games.

How Much Do Saudi Players Get Paid?

Cricketers in Saudi Arabia don’t make millions — at least not yet. However, players selected for the national team typically receive a monthly allowance or match-by-match payment.

Here’s a basic idea:

• Match fees: SR 1,000–3,000 per match, depending on the tournament
• Daily allowances: For food, travel, and stay during matches
• Training camp support: Some players get stipends during national training camps
• League cricket: Players in top clubs might get bonuses or small salaries

It’s not a full-time job for most players, but it’s improving. As Saudi cricket grows, so will salaries and sponsorships. Some players even get local endorsements or jobs through cricket connections.

Saudi Cricket League and Stadiums – Where the Game Happens

You might think cricket in Saudi Arabia is only played on dusty fields or empty parking lots, but that’s changing fast. In the last few years, Saudi Arabia has built several cricket grounds with proper pitches, scoreboards, and lights for night matches.

Main Stadiums in Saudi Arabia

Some of the best cricket stadiums in the country include:

• Al Bilad Cricket Ground – Jeddah
• King Fahad Stadium (Cricket field zone) – Riyadh
• Eastern Province Cricket Ground – Dammam
• Yanbu Cricket Ground – Madinah Province

These places are used for local league finals, national team training, and sometimes international matches. They may not be as elaborate as large Indian or Australian stadiums, but they’re sufficient for competitive games.

Saudi Cricket League Teams and Structure

The Saudi Cricket League isn’t yet as established as the IPL or PSL, but it’s active. It runs city-by-city under the supervision of the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF). Each city has multiple teams — usually company-sponsored or community-run.

Here’s how it works:

• Teams register under their respective city leagues (e.g., Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, etc.).
• Players are selected through local trials or club sign-ups
• Matches are played weekly or during special tournaments like Ramadan Cups
• Winners of each city-level league may get invited to the national-level championships

Some well-known teams include:

• Riyadh Gladiators
• Jeddah Stars
• Dammam Titans
• Makkah Warriors
• Tabuk Stallions

These teams play short-format matches (T20 or T10), and some games are streamed live on Facebook or YouTube channels.

How to Watch or Follow Saudi Cricket Live

You won’t find Saudi cricket on mainstream sports TV just yet. But many matches, especially the national team’s games, are streamed live on platforms like:

• CricClubs – live scores, team rosters
• Fancode App – some international games
• YouTube – local matches, league highlights
• Facebook Pages – SACF, city leagues, clubs post regular updates

If you’re in Saudi Arabia, you can also visit the grounds and watch the matches live. Entry is usually free.

FAQs About Saudi Cricket

Conclusion – Is Saudi Cricket Worth Following or Joining?

Yes, 100%. If you’re passionate about cricket and live in Saudi Arabia, you’ve got chances — whether you want to play or just follow the sport. The scene is still young, but it is growing rapidly. There are leagues in every city, official trials, and a national team that now competes on the world stage.

You don’t need to be famous. You don’t need high-end gear. You just need to play, show up for trials, and stay active in the local cricket circle. Players who once played tape-ball matches are now wearing the Saudi jersey and competing against teams like Singapore and Malaysia.

If you’re someone who’s been dreaming of real cricket in Saudi Arabia, the door is already open. Walk in.