ECB bags four ICC Development Awards regional honours

The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has been named regional winner in four categories at the ICC Development Awards 2025, while also earning a nomination for the ICC criiio Cricket Festivals award.The ICC announced 30 regional winners across six categories on Friday, with the winners progressing to the global awards, which will be announced in July.ECB's regional awards came in the following categories:ICC Development Initiative of the Year for the inaugural Girls U15 Academy League, featuring 10 teams from Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.ICC Female Cricket Initiative of the Year for its Get Into Cricket for Girls programme and Criiio Cup, involving 40 schools across four emirates.ICC Associate Member Men's Team Performance of the Year for UAE's historic 2-1 T20I series win over Bangladesh in Sharjah in May 2025.ICC Associate Member Women's Team Performance of the Year for UAE Women's first-ever ODI victory and a 2-2 drawn series against Zimbabwe in September 2025. ECB was also shortlisted among six nominees for the ICC criiio Cricket Festivals award.ECB Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmad said the awards reflected the success of the board's development programmes and the efforts of players, coaches and administrators."Our development initiatives are now delivering results as our teams continue to compete with stronger and more established sides," Ahmad said.The ICC Development Awards, established in 2002, recognise Associate Members for their contribution to growing the game.