The ICC Development Awards 2025 celebrated some of the best cricket development programmes from around the world, with special recognition for outstanding work in the women’s game. The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) enjoyed a memorable year after winning two major women’s awards, while Türkiye Cricket also received recognition for its efforts to grow girls’ cricket.
The awards were announced during the ICC Annual Conference, celebrating programmes and performances that have helped grow cricket across Associate Member nations.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah congratulated all the winners and praised their contribution to the game. “These Awards were established to celebrate the extraordinary work being delivered by our Associate Members around the world, and this year’s winners are outstanding examples of how cricket can inspire participation, create opportunity, strengthen communities and deliver performances that capture global attention.
“Congratulations to all the exceptional winners of the ICC Development Awards 2025. You serve as a great inspiration to the global cricket community, and these initiatives display the strength, reach and potential of the sport across every region. I am excited to see the legacy they leave and the further growth they help drive in the years to come.”
The Emirates Cricket Board was one of the biggest winners at the awards after receiving honours in multiple categories, including two related to women’s cricket. The board was named joint winner of the Emirates ICC Female Cricket Initiative of the Year 2025, sharing the award with Türkiye Cricket.
The UAE’s award recognised the lasting impact of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, which inspired more girls to take up cricket across the country. Following the tournament, the Emirates Cricket Board launched several programmes, including the Interschool Criiio Gulf Cup and the Get into Cricket – Girls Only initiative.
These programmes introduced cricket to girls in schools and local communities, giving many young players opportunities that were previously unavailable. The initiatives have helped increase participation and created a stronger pathway for girls to enter the sport.
Türkiye Cricket also impressed the ICC with its efforts to promote women’s cricket. During ICC Women’s Cricket Week 2025, Türkiye organised the largest celebration of the event anywhere in Europe.
More than 3,000 girls from 20 provinces took part in different activities, including softball cricket festivals, ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 watch parties and coaching webinars designed for female coaches. The programme encouraged more schoolgirls to play cricket while also helping strengthen the country’s women’s cricket pathway.
The Emirates Cricket Board also received the ICC Associate Member Women’s Team Performance of the Year 2025award after UAE Women produced one of the biggest results in their history against Zimbabwe Women.
After earning ODI status, the UAE played their first 50-over international series and impressed by drawing the four-match ODI series 2-2 against Zimbabwe. The team then continued their excellent form by winning the following T20I series 2-0.
It was a historic achievement because it became UAE Women’s first-ever bilateral series victory over a higher-ranked Full Member nation away from home. The performances showed how much UAE women’s cricket has improved in recent years and highlighted the success of the country’s long-term investment in developing the women’s game.
The ICC Development Awards recognise programmes that create more opportunities for players, improve participation and help cricket grow in new regions. The success of both the Emirates Cricket Board and Türkiye Cricket reflects the increasing focus on women’s cricket across Associate Member countries.
The judging panel for the ICC Development Awards 2025 included representatives from several cricket boards, former international players, global organisations and media professionals. The panel featured Edward Khoza (Cricket South Africa), Kent Stead (New Zealand Cricket), Elaine Nolan (Cricket Ireland), KJ Singh (Cricket West Indies), Naseeb Khan (Afghanistan Cricket Board), former players Samuel Badree, Kevin O’Brien and Mary-Anne Musonda, along with Cynthia McCaffrey (UNICEF), Daniel van Otterdijk (DP World), Daniel Beswick (Media) and Paul Radley (Media).
The recognition for the UAE and Türkiye highlights how investment in women’s cricket is creating more opportunities for young girls around the world and helping the game continue to grow at every level.
Loves all things female cricket