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It’s a perfect way to spend the Eid Al-Adha holidays. In what will be a first of its kind in Qatar, the past and present superstars of cricket will be in action today for a Twenty20 match at the West End Park Cricket Stadium. |
The ‘Eid Cricket Festival’ pits two cricket icons, Brian Lara and Sanath Jayasuriya, who will lead a World XI and Asia XI respectively. The exhibition match is organised by West End Park in association with the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The World XI vs Asia XI concept is designed to appeal to the expatriate communities and with tickets selling like hot cakes, the stadium is expected to be packed.
Both teams are packed with big names who promise to deliver a high quality contest. “It’s my first time here in Doha and I had an opportunity to look around and it was really great. The West End Park Cricket stadium is a wonderful facility and I looking forward to play an exciting match. Also I am happy to extend my help in promoting the game in this part of region,” said Lara, the former West Indies captain.
Jayasuriya, the Sri Lankan batting legend and current chairman of selectors, said he was thrilled to play in a new country. “It will be a unique experience. I hope this becomes another international venue, because the facilities are top class here. I hope this game will boost the game in Qatar and will be a precursor for many international matches. I want to congratulate West End Park for bringing this project to Qatar,” added Jayasuriya.
West End Park Chairman, Mana Ibrahim al-Mana, who has played a pivotal in organising the star-studded match, said this was just the beginning. “I would say this is just the start, there is more to come in future. After the Eid Cricket Festival, we will host an Under-16 Asian Championship and we are in process of holding international matches involving top teams,” he said.
Al-Mana also revealed he was in talks with Pakistan Cricket Board to host Pakistan’s home matches in Doha. Currently Pakistan play their ‘home’ matches in the UAE as International Cricket Council has banned the matches their due to volatile security situation. “We are in talks with Pakistan board and I hope we can make Doha as Pakistan’s second home. We will hold further talks with them and hopefully we can strike out the deal soon,” al-Mana said.
The tickets for the ‘Eid Cricket Festival’ are priced at QR35 and QR 50 and can be purchased at the cinemas at West End Park, the Grand Mall and online at www.q-tickets.com. Ticket proceeds will go to a charity chosen by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The squads
World XI: Brian Lara (West Indies); Brendan Taylor (Zimbabwe); Herschelle Gibbs (South Africa); Riki Wessels (Australia); Owais Shah (England); Damien Martyn (Australia); Corey Collymore (West Indies); Samuel Badree (West Indies); Sajid Mahmood (England); Ryan Ten Doeschate (Netherlands); Manager: John Emburey (England).
Asia XI: Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka); Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh); Imran Nazir (Pakistan); Marvan Atapattu (Sri Lanka); Aakash Chopra (India); Angelo Perera (Sri Lanka); Chamara Kapugedera (Sri Lanka); Abdul Razzaq (Pakistan); Rashid Latif (Pakistan); Yasir Arafat (Pakistan); Mohammad Sami (Paksitan); Manager: Gordon Greenidge (West Indies).
