Cricket was very much a recreational activity until the opening of the Suez Canal saw the British population increase (see History of Egypt under the Muhammad Ali dynasty).

In October 1884, a combined Army and Navy team played against Alfred Shaw's XI[2] who were on their way to Australia for an Ashes tour.

[11] One player in the Free Foresters team on the tour was Hubert Martineau,[10] who was to provide regular opposition for Egypt in the forthcoming years.

[1] Attempts were made to resurrect cricket in the country, with an Egyptian club team touring England in 1951, and playing the MCC at Lord's.

[14] Cricket grounds began to be built over, and it was not until the late 1990s that the game saw a resurgence amongst the Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan and British expatriate communities.

[15] A cricket league in Cairo was being played by April 2008[16] and it is hoped that Egypt will eventually take part in the North West African Championship.