The iconic Cricketers Benefit Fund Series (CBFS) is being reactivated to provide a significant and meaningful boost to the harnessing of burgeoning cricket talent in the country. The CBFS catapulted the Sharjah Stadium onto the global stage and stands as a uniquely effective enterprise.

The second phase of the wildly successful project would enable local cricket academies to allow their players to compete against one another and gain valuable experience, creating the ideal environment for cricket in the UAE to develop from the ground up.

With two-day Test series for the elite division and the Under-19s, as well as frequent playing privileges for the Under-13, Under-15, and Under-17 age groups. The goal is to provide local players with international-level skills and experience, a crucial move toward the UAE achieving Test status.

CBFS is designed to harness young talent and provide a world-class, professional atmosphere where they can hone their skills. It is endorsed by the Sharjah Cricket Council (SCC) and is run by Abdulrahman Bukhatir, the UAE's father of cricket.

“It gives me great pleasure to see the Bukhatir family continue to leave a rich and varied legacy. Sharjah is firmly on the global sporting map thanks to their dedication and determination, and Sharjah Sports Council is proud to sponsor this next step of CBFS,” said Eisa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman, Sharjah Sports Council.

“As we all know, Sharjah Cricket Stadium has been actively engaged in hosting domestic & global cricket since 1981,” said Khalaf Bukhatir, CEO of Sharjah Stadium. With 241 ODIs, it holds the world record for the most ODIs hosted in a single location according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

SCC's one-of-a-kind project aims to bring together all of the UAE's renowned cricket academies to play cricket in state-of-the-art cricket facilities at the famous Sharjah cricket stadium.

Khalaf Bukhatir went on to say that his father's dream was to build a centre for young people and reinvest in them. The best players in this competitive league will be awarded Dhs150,000 in prize money. This was just the first step in establishing a global body where young people from all over the world could come to train in Sharjah.

“This new platform will provide the perfect opportunity for some splendid games, but also serve as the ideal spawning ground for all aspiring and emerging cricketers in the UAE to showcase their talent through this league,” he added.

The participation will be on an invitational basis, according to Waleed Bukhatir, Vice Chairman of Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

“Invitations will be sent to teams in five separate age categories: under-13, under-15, under-17, under-19, and elite. In each age group, only eight cricket academy teams will be invited to compete. There will be an additional eight top UAE teams competing in the Elite group. What we're looking for is a high level of talent and a serious engagement from those who participate. Cricket organizations that are regular during the year and associated with any UAE cricket council will be given priority.”

The Under 13s will compete in T20, T25, and T30 matches, while the Under 15 colts will compete in T20, T30, and T40 matches. The Under 17s will compete in T20, T30, and 50 overs matches, while the Under 19s will compete in T20, 50 overs, and 2-day test matches. There is also an Elite Division, in which top cricket clubs from the UAE will compete in T20 matches, One-Day Internationals, and two-day Test matches.

Depending on the day/night timings of each game, the games will be played in whites with pink and red balls.