Hit a cheer sixer

The stadium, hailed as ‘sensational’ by Australian cricket legend Steve Waugh on a visit to Dubai last year, has now hosted four ‘home’ series for Pakistan since its opening in 2009 including a mixture of ODIs and T20 internationals, and has quickly become a firm favourite with the local sporting fraternity who have regularly turned out in force to its unique bull-ring atmosphere.

But, with the ODI series conclusion and historic first Test around the corner, the emphasis from the captains from both sides will be on putting on a show for their loyal fans in Dubai next week.

“We’re enjoying every minute of being here,” Graeme Smith revealed to Khaleej Times. “This is all new to us having never toured in this part of the world before and we’ve heard a lot about Dubai’s great stadium so were all systems go for Dubai.

I’m looking forward to seeing the entire South African community in Dubai waving their flags and really getting behind the boys.”

For Pakistan, few men in the modern game have the ability to dazzle a crowd more than current ODI captain and talisman, Shahid Afridi. And when his team arrives in Dubai he knows people will want to see him and his team turn on the magic.

Speaking exlusively to Khaleej Times, Afridi said he felt it was time the Pakistan players gave their supporters all in Dubai and across the world, something to cheer about and pledged to put on a show when the series rolls into town on the 2^nd November.

“We have taken a little while to get out of the blocks in this series,” he said speaking ahead of the 2^nd ODI in Abu Dhabi.

“But I think we’re improving with every game. Hopefully everything will be set up for a great end to the series in Dubai next week.

“The players all love playing in Dubai. It’s inspirational for us to play in such an amazing facility and we have a good record there in T20s and ODIs. We’re going to produce some good cricket and give our people something to cheer. Hopefully if we play well, we can take that confidence into the Test match too.”

Confidence is one thing Pakistan cricket has been bereft of in recent years, but their continued instability has almost been matched blow for blow by the resilience of their loyal fans, thousands of whom will no doubt be out waving banners and flying flags for Pakistan next week.

Afridi said supporters of Pakistan have had a lot to contend with over the last few years but he assured fans that his team understood its responsibility and wanted nothing more than to make its people happy.

“We come to the UAE as our home,” Afridi continued. “And we are always welcomed with open arms here. Not being able to play in Pakistan at the moment is sad but this is a great place to call a second home. We owe a lot to this region and we are grateful to everything that’s been done for us. We can only repay that gratitude in our play, so that’s what we intend to do.”

The conclusion of the ODI series will welcome in Dubai’s first ever Test match, just two years after becoming a fully fledged international venue.

The Test match from the 12^th – 16^th November will make Dubai’s International Cricket Stadium the 101^st Test match venue in the world, and only the third Test match ever held in the UAE.

Looking ahead to the two-week carnival of cricket Macky Dudhia, General Manager of Sports Business at Dubai Sports City, said:

“We have worked very hard to here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, to create both an awe-inspiring venue for international cricketers, and something that makes the spectator experience a memorable one.

“When a South African cricket fan walks in here, we want them to feel just as at home as when a Pakistan cricket fan comes here. An ODI or a Test match is more than just a match, it’s an event. ”

In a move to support the International Cricket Stadium’s inauguration as a Test venue, Dubai Sports City is offering everyone who purchases a ticket for the ODI series, a free corresponding ticket to all five days of Dubai’s inaugural first Test match. The plan, says Macky, is to make the game as accessible as possible.

“If you buy a ticket for any of our ODIs, you will get free access to the corresponding ticket zone for the entire Test match,” he said.

“So a platinum ticket for Tuesday will be valid as a platinum ticket for five days from the 12^th – 16^th November. We wanted to open up the Test to all fans and encourage as many first time fans as possible. ”

sports@khaleejtimes.com