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New flood-lit Ajman Oval Cricket Ground inaugurated

The new ground will also have a cricket academy and has three practice wickets that will be expanded to six in the near future.

Pakistan cricket team players and officials at the opening of the new ground in Ajman. Supplied photo

Ajman — A new flood-lit cricket ground was officially thrown open on Wednesday on the outskirts of Ajman in the presence of some of the members of Pakistan team, who are currently in the UAE to play a Test series, ODIs and T20 against the New Zealanders.

The New Ajman Oval Cricket Ground is located off Mohammed bin Zayed Road, has four turf wickets of international standards and is affiliated to the Ajman Cricket Council. Majed Othman Al Nuaimi Head of Survey Department, Ajman Municipality, formally declared the ground open in the presence of the Pakistan cricket coach Waqar Younis, Pakistan manager Moin Khan, Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan and bowling coach Musthaq Ahmed. The Emirate Cricket Board officials as well as heads of the other UAE councils were also present.

The wickets are laid using Nandipur clay from Pakistan and are prepared by Pakistan Cricket Board trained and recommended curators. The Bermuda-grass is used for the lush green outfield and the pavilion has a typical Arabian touch to it. Keeping the T20 trends, dug outs are included along with dressing rooms. A room for the scorer has been designed uniquely along with digital scoreboards.

The new ground will also have a cricket academy and has three practice wickets that will be expanded to six in the near future.

The project was conceived and implemented by a team comprising, Khalil Ghulamnabi, Aamir Sarfraz, Salman Ahmad, Rashid Ghulamnabi and Shujaddin Chaudhry.

“We have taken lot of effort to ensure the New Ajman Oval Cricket Ground meets the highest standards. The wickets are prepared in consultation with professional curators and we are confident it will produce some great results in the future. We have the automatic and zero level pitch grass cutting machines used for international matches,” said Development Officer Moin Mohammed.

“The New Ajman Oval Cricket Ground has been designed keeping everything related to cricket in mind. A lot of hardwork has gone to ensure we have one of the best grounds in the region. We are hopeful cricketers will enjoy playing in our facility and hope to see a lot of action here,” said Rashid Ghulamnabi, Executive Board Member.

“The floodlights, scoreboards, pavilion all are designed according to international standards. We also have guaranteed the players get their space with spacious dressing rooms. We hope they enjoy using our facilities,” Rahim Shad, also the Chief Executive Officer of the Oval.

sports@khaleejtimes.com