Riyadh: Saudi Arabia took another major stride toward becoming a regional hub for cricket with the launch of the World Cricket Festival (WCF) in Riyadh, organized by Cricket Investment Co. (CIC) — the commercial arm of the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF) — in partnership with Infinix.
The WCF, branded as “where cricket meets culture,” aims to create a new cricketing ecosystem in the Kingdom, combining competitive tournaments, professional infrastructure, and community engagement. The initiative will include landmark events such as the F2 Double Wicket World Cup 2025 in Jeddah, alongside the F20 Season 2 League, Saudi Corporate Premier League, Gulf Premier League, and grassroots softball competitions.
Speaking at the launch, Prince Saud bin Mishaal Al Saud, Chairman of SACF, hailed the collaboration with CIC and Infinix as a pioneering step:
“This is our first strategic partnership between the Federation’s investment arm and the private sector. It will activate multiple programs across different cities and lay the foundation for long-term cricket development in Saudi Arabia.”
As part of the initiative, Infinix announced its plan to construct Saudi Arabia’s first ICC-standard cricket stadiums — one in Riyadh and another in Jeddah — within the next six months, with further facilities to follow across the Kingdom.
The launch event brought together business leaders, investors, and international cricketing legends, including Pakistan’s Saqlain Mushtaq and Yasir Shah, along with India’s former Test cricketer Wasim Jaffer. The guests commended SACF’s vision and expressed confidence that Saudi youth will soon make their mark in world cricket.
Adding a local perspective, Saudi national team captain Hisham Sheikh reflected on the milestone:
“As someone born and raised in Saudi Arabia, it is an honor to lead the national team. The World Cricket Festival launch is a proud moment for us, and I look forward to seeing the game flourish across the Kingdom.”
With strategic investments, international partnerships, and the enthusiasm of fans, the World Cricket Festival is poised to become a game-changer for cricket in Saudi Arabia, marking the beginning of a new era for the sport in the region.
