Cricket’s fiercest tournament — the ICC Cricket World Cup – swung into action on October 5 and reaches its culmination on November 19. The international championship is held every four years and is back for its 2023 edition where the men’s national cricket teams from 10 countries play each other in a series of 50 one-day matches to lift the trophy.
Which teams played in the 2023 Cricket World Cup?
The big guns of the gentleman’s game will enter the arena. The only European countries that qualified were the Netherlands and England. Southern Hemisphere cricket stalwarts, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand have made the cut too. Meanwhile, from the Indian subcontinent, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan were part of the line-up.
When are the Cricket World Cup final?
Of the 4 teams that qualified for the semi-finals India beat New Zealand and Australia beat South Africa to make it to the final. The epic final match takes place on November 19 in Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi stadium at 12:30pm UAE time.
Where is the World Cup 2023 being held?
This year, India is the host nation and the cricket matches will be held across 10 cities of the South Asian nation. Team India is also one of the favourites to win the cup this year hot on the heels of their Asia Cup 2023 win, #1 ranking and undefeated stint throughout the World Cup. Given that 2011 was the last time India hosted the ICC World Cup and they won, expectations are sky-high.
Where to watch the Cricket World Cup in Dubai?
Although the 50-over game will unfold in the Indian subcontinent, you can catch the edge-of-the-seat thrill of the showdown here in Dubai too. How, you ask? You can catch the on-field action of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at home on CricLife Max on the STARZPLAY app. A cricket World Cup package costs AED 99.
Additionally, sports bars and pubs across the UAE and Dubai are screening matches live on big screens with big crowds of crazed fans that will recreate the sizzling energy of the packed Narendra Modi cricket stadium’s 130,000 audience.
Here are 12 places in Dubai to watch the 2023 Cricket World Cup
1. Flying Catch Sports Cafe and Restaurant
Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan is not in the playing 11, but you can walk away with signed merch from the cricket star at his cricket-centric restaurant in Jumeirah. There’s more – as part of World Cup festivity, guests can play ‘spin-and-win games’, score a 10% discount if your home team wins and watch all the matches on a 200cm screen as well as five TVs. You can ditch nail-biting for snacking on veg platters (AED 99) or non-veg platters (AED 119) from October 5 to November 19.
Call 054 527 4494 for reservations
2. Huddle Sports Bar
This sports bar in Bur Dubai’s Citymax Hotel is hitting sixers when it comes to punny cricket-themed bites – Quinton’s Bunny Chow and Rohit Shawarma, Afghani ‘googlee’ kebabs and Kiwi-inspired brisket burgers are just some examples. From October 5 to November 19, you can watch all the matches live on their 24 HD screens and digital wall. Besides, they’ve also got all-day happy hours with drinks starting from AED 27 plus a cocktail hat-trick deal of 3 for AED 125 and bucket deals on hops and shots.
Call 050 100 7065 for reservations and info
3. Sherlock Homes English Pub
This retro English pub in Arabian Courtyard Hotel and Spa gets all the elementaries right when it comes to live sports. They’re showing all the Cricket World Cup 2023 matches from October 5 to November 19. During cricket season, the pub’s got a special beer bucket offer of 5 pints for AED 99, a 20% discount on food and happy hour deals from 12pm to 3am. There’s more – a 50 % discount on selected bevvies AND a buy-one-get-one-free promo on cocktails for AED 44. Phew, howzzat!
From 12pm to 3pm am; call 050 629 6745 or 043519111 for reservations
4. Mr Toad’s Pub and Kitchen
Cricket fans can croak with delight as this pub chain found across Premier Inn hotels is screening all the matches live on big screens across their many venues. They have an all-day happy hour deal with drinks priced between AED 20-35 during the ICC World Cup. A combo snacks platter of four items of your choosing will also be up for grabs for AED109.
5. Goose Island Tap House
This gastropub located in the FIVE Jumeirah Village Hotel is decked out with enough screens to replicate a packed stadium’s fervour. Cricket matches will be screened live here and 2-for-1 happy hour deals run all week long. Timings vary – between 4pm to 9pm from Monday to Thursday, 12pm-8pm on Fridays and 12pm-6pm on Saturdays and Sundays. In case rain halts a game, you can stay busy with the indoor X-Golf simulator, a pool table and beer pong until the match resumes.
Call 04 455 9989 for reservations
6. Barasti
The beachside bar and nightspot in Dubai Marina has pulled out all the stops for the sports season. Besides live screening of the Rugby World Cup matches, they’ll also be showing cricket games from October 5 to November 19. And if you’ve got a friend who’s a football fan in the gang, they’ll get to watch the Premier League games and try their luck at a Liverpool Activation.
Call 056 777 1194 for reservations
7. Headlines
Located inside the Ibis Hotel in the World Trade Centre area, this sports bar will be bleeding blue throughout the Cricket World Cup – all Team India matches will screened live. Bragging rights of watching the match with fellow Indian cricket fans comes with a caveat though, a minimum spend of AED 300 per person, especially during India-Pakistan matches.
For the full schedule of live screenings and reservations call 058 591 8153 or 050 254 6782
8. Icon Bar and Lounge
A Media City local, this dive bar inside Radisson Blue Hotel will show all matches live from October 5 to November 19. Furthermore, their happy hour deals will get you house spirits, wines and specific draughts from AED 35.
Call 04 366 9111
9. The Roaring Rabbit
This British gastropub in Taj Exotica The Palm is joining in on the cricket fever with a giant LED screen set up in their winter garden for fans. A three-hour package of two selected bar bites and unlimited house beverages starts from AED 199 on match days. Alternatively, opt for 3 beverages for just AED 99 or when the munchies kick in during do-or-die moments in the match opt for snacks starting from AED 35. There’ll also be a live band, games and more to add to the electric atmosphere.
Call 04 275 4444 or email roaringrabbit.exoticadubai@tajhotels.com for bookings
10. Indo Haveli
Special cricket combos and state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment put this restaurant and entertainment lounge as one of the front-runners to view the Cricket World Cup Matches. For AED 149, punters get 3 beers/beverages and a snack or an AED 249 deal gets you unlimited drinks and a platter of snacks. Plus, happy hours run from 12pm to 8 pm.
Call 052 248 9353 for reservations
11. Bar Baar
This trendy Indian freestyle kitchen and bar in Al Jaddaf’s Occidental Hotel is hosting a special screening of India vs Pakistan live on October 14 from 12:30pm onwards.
WhatsApp 056 555 4626 for reservations and details
12. Nezesaussi Grill
A combination of the names of countries whose cuisines it serves – New Zealand, South Africa and Australia this gastropub is serving delicious food from all the Southern Hemisphere nations that made it to the semifinals. Additionally, they’re also screening the Cricket World Cup matches live so it’s a double whammy for Aussie, SA and Kiwi cricket fans. Both the outlets in Address Marina and Manzil Downtown are equipped with multiple TV screens including a giant screen and two pool tables.
From 1pm to 3am; call 04 8883444 for Manzil Downtown branch and 04 436 7777 for Address Marina branch
13. Yume, Ramee Dream Hotel
This Business Bay nightlife spot is going to be thrumming with a different kind of music today – the chants of frenzied cricket fans from India and Australia. The sizzling final will be screened live with an array of food and beverage packaged.
Call 056 777 1194 or 056 777 1153 for bookings