From the streets to international level, cricket thrives in Saudi Arabia’s South Asian communities

RIYADH: Take a drive through Riyadh’s Hai Al Wizarat or Al Nassem neighborhoods and, chances are, you’ll come across kids playing seemingly impromptu games of street cricket.

But these games have a storied heritage across Saudi Arabia’s parking lots and roads.

For years, South Asian expatriates have taken part in these self-organised matches on the streets of Riyadh, Jeddah and in other Saudi cities. Wherever Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis go, it seems they take cricket with them.