Abu Dhabi, Nov. 5: Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Cricket Stadium will be renamed the Zayed-MCC Cricket Academy, according to Abi Carter, the media officer at MCC, Lord’s.

"The Marylebone Cricket Club has signed a three-year agreement with Abu Dhabi Cricket Club to become their associate club partners," Carter said from London. "The partnership will also see the two clubs working together to develop facilities in Abu Dhabi and promote the game and spirit of cricket in the region."

MCC chairman Oliver Stocken and Sheikh Nahayan of Abu Dhabi signed a three-year agreement at the Sheikh’s palace on Wednesday.

The MCC-Abu Dhabi CC partnership also includes advertising rights at the Zayed Stadium and reciprocal member rights such as accommodation and facility hire discounts, and ticket allocations at Lord’s and the Zayed stadium.

Dilawar Mani, CEO, Abu Dhabi Cricket Club, said: "This is it a tremendous boost for UAE cricket and our aspiring juniors.

"We greatly welcome the association with the MCC, the most historic cricket club in world, and look forward to a long and durable relationship and MCC’s guidance in developing our facilities."

"We’re thrilled to be in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Cricket Club. It’s a first for MCC in West Asia and gives us a tremendous opportunity to help develop cricketers throughout the region and closer to home.

"Aspiring professionals from the MCC Universities and MCC Young Cricketers will specifically benefit from this joint venture as it will give them vital experience of playing and training abroad, helping them to make the transition to the first-class game," MCC secretary and chief executive Keith Bradshaw said.