Sharjah Cricket Council launches the second innings of CBFS with focus on unearthing talent

 By K.R. Nayar

The Cricketers Benefit Fund Series (CBFS) that once served legends of the game and brought international cricket to UAE has launched on a new mission. Plans are on to carry forward the legacy created by Abdul Rehman Bukhatir by spotting talent through a series of tournaments that will be played in all formats among the different age categories 

Sharjah Cricket Council announces CBFS' second innings plans through a press conference

The Cricketers Benefit Fund Series (CBFS) that created the base for cricket in the UAE has announced their second innings through a plan to spot cricketing talent and thereby assist in creating a strong UAE team for the future.

 The CBFS, conceived by Abdul Rehman Bukhatir in the 1980’s, had brought international cricket here, and Sharjah went on to be known as a prominent cricketing venue in the world. This body, which was formed to support retired cricketers, will now aim to assist in grooming youngsters.

Abdul Rehman Bukhatir

 The Sharjah Cricket Council announced their plans through a press conference held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on April 5, 2021. Waleed Bukhatir and Khalaf Bukhatir, sons of Abdul Rehman Bukhatir, revealed that they would like to carry forward the legacy created by their father through the CBFS by harnessing young talent and providing a world-class professional environment where they can hone their skills.

H.E. Eisa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman, Sharjah Sports Council, Govt of Sharjah, who was the chief guest at the press meet held to announce details of CBFS, said: “It is so heartening to see that the Bukhatir family continues to create a rich and diverse legacy. Thanks to their dedication and commitment, Sharjah is firmly on the global sporting map and Sharjah Sports Council is proud to be supporting this next phase of CBFS.”

Khalaf Bukhatir, who as mentor had guided the Sharjah team to victories in the recent Emirates Cricket Board D20 and D10 tournaments, and  is the CEO of Sharjah Cricket Stadium, said: “As we all know Sharjah Cricket Stadium has been actively involved in conducting domestic and international cricket since 1981. It holds the record for the most number of ODIs hosted in a venue with 241 ODIs, a fact sanctified by the Guinness Book. Now, we venture into a new dimension. This unique initiative by Sharjah Cricket Council intends to bring together all reputed cricket academies in the UAE to play cricket in the state-of-the art cricket facilities at the iconic Sharjah cricket stadium.”

Sharjah team celebrates after winning the Emirates D10 tournament 

The press meet was attended by Nasser Akram, former Secretary General of Emirates Cricket Board and member of Sharjah Cricket  Council and Zayed Abbas, member of Emirates Cricket Board.

The CBFS has also plans to boost the longer version of the game here through two-day test matches to be played by the elite division and the Under-19’s, regular playing opportunities for Under-13, Under-15, and Under-17.  The focus will be to give local players international-level expertise and experience, something that is needed to guide the UAE towards gaining test status. 

Waleed Bukhatir, vice chairman of Sharjah Cricket Stadium, then went on to elaborate on the CBFS’s second innings plans. “There will be five different age categories - Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Under-19 and Elite teams - across which the invitations will be sent. Only eight cricket academy teams in each age category will be invited to participate. In the Elite category, there will also be eight additional top UAE teams participating.  What we are ensuring is a high standard of talent and a commitment of seriousness among those who take part. Preference will be given to cricket entities who are regular throughout the year and affiliated with any cricket council of the UAE.”

Plans for the tournaments include - Under 13 teams to play T20, T25 and T30 games, the Under 15 colts will play T20, T30 and T40 format, the Under 17 will go for the T20, T30 and 50 overs, while the Under 19s will fight for honours over T20, 50 overs and 2-day test matches. The categories also include an Elite Division where top cricket clubs in the UAE will play T20 games, ODIs and 2-day Test matches.

 New CBFS logo depicting Sharjah through the 'S' 

Khalaf Bukhatir then announced  that his father’s dream was to create a facility for the young and invest in them. “In this competitive league there will be AED 150,000 in prize money for the best performances.” He added that was just the first step in instituting a global entity where youngsters from around the world can come to train here in Sharjah.
The CBFs will maintain the tradition of the game, and all matches will be played in whites with the use of pink and red balls depending on the day-night timings of each game. 
A new CBFS logo depicting Sharjah through the 'S' was also unveiled at the press meet. 

The Sharjah Cricket Council Selection Committee headed by Khalaf Bukhatir will closely monitor all those taking part in this league and the final list of selected players will be given a chance to enter the exclusive Sharjah Council Development Squad. For the first time in UAE, a rating system based on the performance of the players, will also be introduced. 

Mazhar Khan, General Manager of the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, took the audience on a nostalgic trip recalling the first match at this venue in 1981 between Javed Miandad XI and Sunil Gavaskar XI. 

The CBFS journey will thus continue serving the game and popularising it to entertain cricket fans around the world.