Cricket is experiencing notable growth across Saudi Arabia, with academies and clubs expanding rapidly as part of a broader effort to promote physical activity and nurture local talent. This development aligns with the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative, particularly the Quality of Life program, which aims to increase physical activity levels in the Kingdom by 40 percent over the next decade.
The Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF), established in 2020 under the supervision of the Ministry of Sports and the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, is playing a central role in the sport’s development. Headed by Prince Saud bin Mishal Al-Saud, the federation collaborates with various stakeholders, including foreign missions and international schools, some of which offer cricket training and organize tournaments, particularly targeting the South Asian expatriate communities.
The sport’s grassroots popularity in Saudi Arabia has largely grown organically, fueled by a significant number of expatriates from cricket-loving countries such as India and Sri Lanka. Indian Ambassador Vipul highlighted the role of the Indian community in Saudi Arabia in promoting cricket, noting that some national team players hail from this group. He also pointed to recent collaborative efforts, such as the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction held in Jeddah, as indicators of increasing engagement between India and Saudi Arabia in cricket development.
Sri Lankan Ambassador Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad echoed the sentiment, noting the presence of more than 80 Sri Lankan community cricket clubs in the Kingdom and the integration of cricket into extracurricular activities at Sri Lankan international schools. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia, the embassy initiated the annual Sri Lanka Ambassadors Cup tournament, celebrating the game’s cultural significance and fostering ties with local cricket authorities.
Across the country, cricket academies are taking strides to develop homegrown talent. Abdul Waheed, former captain of the Saudi national cricket team and affiliated with the Arkan Sports Cricket Academy in Riyadh, described the academy’s ambition to be a key grassroots incubator for future national players. In Jubail, the MIND Cricket Academy, established in 2019, has emerged as a major grassroots institution. Under the leadership of chairman Nasser Al Qashanain and founder Murali Krishnan, the academy launched the MIND Academy Cricket Club in 2023, focusing on dedication, discipline, and determination.
The MIND Cricket Academy has benefited from technical guidance provided by International Cricket Council (ICC)-certified coaches and maintains a strong partnership with the SACF. This collaboration secured access to ICC Level 1 coaching certification courses and support from regional authorities such as the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu. Additionally, MIND Academy’s partnership with the Gary Kirsten Cricket Academy offers coaching staff pathways to progress through ICC coaching levels under the mentorship of the former South African cricketer and celebrated India World Cup-winning coach.
Expansion by international cricket organizations also reflects the sport’s rising profile in the Kingdom. The Delhi Capitals Cricket Academy has launched its first Middle East center in Jeddah in partnership with JSC Sports Center. Serving boys and girls aged 5 to 17, this academy combines ICC-certified coaching with advanced technology and international exchange programs, further establishing Saudi Arabia as a growing hub for cricket in the region.