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Afridi to Light up Emirates T20

When Pakistan’s big hitting Shahid Afridi is playing, it surely guarantees the crowd with loads of action.

So be prepared to watch some exploits from one of the greatest batsmen who is part of the Fly Emirates XI team participating in the two-day Emirates Airline Twenty20 tournament to be held at the new cricket grounds at the Sevens on Friday.

“I’m really looking forward to participate in the tournament this weekend. I have played in Dubai but it would be exciting to play at this new ground,” said Afridi at a news conference here on Thursday.

A total of four matches will be played on the Friday and three matches on the final day. Fly Emirates will take on Surrey in the first match at 9am.

“Surrey and Sussex are both quality sides and with some rising stars here representing the Cape Cobras, my Fly Emirates XI team mates and I will have a tough challenge ahead,” said the Pakistan all-rounder.

Maurice Flanagan, Executive Vice Chairman, Emirates Airline &Group, while expressing delight over the participation of Afridi, said: “The Emirates Airline Twenty20 will be the first international tournament to be played in the new facility at the Sevens. To have a guest player as talented as Shahid Afridi line up alongside our very own Fly Emirates XI will be a tremendous boost to the confidence of our players and a marvellous learning experience for them.

“They will have to be at their best. To play against professionals is a major step up in class for a team of amateurs selected from our 48,000-strong workforce, but I have no doubt they will give a good account of themselves. Shahid is one of the cricket’s great entertainers and will provide spectators plenty to cheer about during this festival of cricket at 7^th Sevens,” Flanagan added.

Matthew Jackson, tournament director and founder of ARCH (Arabian Cricket Challenge), the organisers said, “Since its inception four years ago, the vision for ARCH has been to build a tournament that had the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens as its model. The move to this new venue is a major step towards realizing that dream and thanks must go to Emirates and the team at the 7^th Sevens for delivering a great facility that will see this event go from strength to strength.”

The gates will be opening at 8am on Friday and 10am on Saturday. Tickets are available at the gate on arrival, priced Dh25 per day, or Dh40 for a season ticket (Friday and Saturday) for seating on the grass banks. Food and beverages will be on sale at the ground and special autograph signing sessions will take place for those wanting to meet their favourite players.

jaiprasad@khaleejtimes.com