Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has relocated to the United Arab Emirates, embracing the country’s expanding role as a center for cricket and international sports. Lee, who settled with his family in the UAE about 15 to 16 months ago, spoke during an interview on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi about his continued involvement with the game and his perspective on the nation’s sporting landscape.

Lee, 49, has visited the UAE for more than 25 years but initially treated the country mostly as a transit point. Over time, however, he witnessed the UAE’s transformation into a prominent sporting hub. He cited the country’s growing multicultural environment, safe communities, and diverse opportunities as key reasons for making the move.

“This is the hub now. This is going to be the hub of cricket, it’s the hub of sport,” Lee said. While he reaffirmed his strong Australian identity, he expressed pride in his children’s experiences at school and in adapting to the UAE’s diverse society.

In addition to his cricketing endeavors, Lee has taken on the role of Chief Celebration Officer with the UAE Lottery, a position he describes as a fun opportunity to connect with people beyond the cricket field. “A celebration is a big part of who I am,” he said, reflecting on his career moments and personal style.

Lee continues to engage actively with emerging talent. Discussing India’s teenage batting prospect Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, he emphasized the importance of focusing on technique over reputation when facing skilled batters. “You have to take emotion out of the game,” Lee said, highlighting his approach of studying players’ weaknesses rather than their records or names.

Drawing on his extensive experience, Lee named Sachin Tendulkar as the greatest batter he has faced. He attributed Tendulkar’s success to exceptional timing, quick perception, and the ability to construct innings under pressure. Lee explained that despite his fast bowling, Tendulkar’s remarkable ability to read deliveries and remain composed made him particularly difficult to challenge.

“My role as a bowler was to try to rush the batting. With Sachin, it almost felt like he was batting where the stumps are, so he was batting a metre behind the popping crease,” Lee said. This perception stemmed from Tendulkar’s ability to handle pace and maintain control, making Lee’s task as a fast bowler much more demanding.

Lee’s move to the UAE and his insights underline the country’s growing importance on the cricketing map and its appeal to international sports figures seeking new opportunities and environments.