Spouses splurge in Dubai cricket carnival

Spouses splurge in Dubai cricket carnival

MARCH 31: The wives and girlfriends of international cricketers are often critical of the continuous cricket played these days. It leaves them with little time to spend with their mates. But the Sharjah tourney is different. Not only do they get to see this part of the world, they can also get demanding on their mate's wallet. As this year's tourney coincides with the 2000 Dubai Shopping Festival, the wives/girlfriends are having a rollicking time.

The South Africans have the biggest list with almost all player -- from skipper Hansie Cronje to relative newcomer Nicky Boje -- have their wives/girlfriends in tow. They have been as busy off the field as their cricket husbands/boyfriends on it. For most of them, the Jumaira Beach in Dubai is a favourite haunt.

ABU DHABI BOUND: Soon, in September next year, the United Arab Emirates' capital city of Abu Dhabi will be on the international cricketing map. And, if the Abu Dhabi Cricket Council is to be believed, it will be one of the biggest cricket tournaments, in terms of money, in this region.

It's been two decades since Abdul Rehman Bukhatir envisaged cricket in this region and his brainchild, the Sharjah Stadium, has played host to the maximum One-day Internationals in the world. Abu Dhabi wants to follow suit now and work on the proposed Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium is on in full steam.

``We hope to have the stadium ready by June next year and for our first tournament, we have held talks with the Indian and Pakistan boards besides the others too. We have also approached TWI for telecast procedures and we promise excellent facilities,'' said ADCC vice-president BR Shetty.

Only in December last year, the city had a brief fling with cricket when a tri-nation tournament was played between the B teams from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Money, of course, will be no problem with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, also throwing his hat into the ring. The stadium alone is expected to cost around Dh 50 million (Rs 580 million) and will have a seating capacity of 20,000.

TOP SHOTS: At least, some Indian team can win when playing abroad, even if it consists of journalists taking time off their cricket assignment to down the UAE media XI by six wickets. Played on a pure desert field with a cement wicket, the Indian Media XI first bowled the hosts out for 99 and then romped home with plenty to spare.