BCCI’s glowing report on UAE stadiums could see India renew Pakistan rivalry

Joy Chakravarty 09:41 23/03/2014
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  • Dhoni in the UAE: The 2014 IPL could set the ball rolling for India's return to the Emirates.

    There is renewed confidence that India’s national team will soon return to the UAE to renew their cricketing rivalry with Pakistan.

    It follows the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s decision to host the first leg of the 2014 Indian Premier League in the UAE, and more recently, the glowing report the three stadiums received from its Venue Inspection team.

    The BCCI team, comprising Dr MV Sridhar, GM – Cricket Operations, and PR Vishwanathan, Curator, visited the venues – Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Dubai International Stadium and Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

    And after assessing the ground conditions; status of the pitches, outfield and practice facilities, players dressing rooms and working space for the match officials and umpires, the two-man team expressed complete satisfaction.

    “We are very happy with the facilities at the venues that will be hosting the UAE leg of the Pepsi IPL 2014,” said Sridhar. “The infrastructure is on par with any of the leading international venues. Considering the amount of cricket that has been played at these venues in the recent past, the ground and pitch maintenance is noteworthy.

    “We are confident that the facilities and ground conditions will provide the platform for an exciting first leg of the Pepsi IPL 2014.”

    And Mazhar Khan, administrator, Emirates Cricket Board, said this was another big step towards resumption of matches featuring the Indian national side in the UAE.

    “I think the BCCI’s Venue Inspection Team went back very satisfied. They met our curators and looked at all aspects concerning the venues and were happywith everything that they saw,” said Mazhar.

    “Of course, getting back India-Pakistan matches in the UAE is a dream for us. Hosting the India Under-19 team for the U19 Asia Cup and the ICC U19 World Cup was a start, and I think BCCI has got very good feedback from that.

    "We will make sure that we serve the IPL to the best of our abilities and surely, I foresee India returning for Tests and ODIs in the future.”

    Mazhar said one of the key factors UAE got the nod to host the initial IPL matches was the quality of venues in the country.

    “I always felt that was critical. We have some excellent facilities and the amount of international matches that we have hosted successfully in the last few months, is there for everyone to see,” he added.

    “Of course, there are other things going for us, like the quick and easy access to most cities in India, and the fact that we have such a huge number of expatriates from the subcontinent here. Having the IPL here makes good commercial sense for all the franchises.”

    The UAE will host 20 matches of the 2014 Pepsi IPL, starting with reigning champions Mumbai Indians taking on 2012 winners Kolkata Knight Riders at Zayed Cricket Stadium on April 16.

    By April 30, Dubai and Abu Dhabi would have hosted seven matches each, while six will be played in Sharjah.

    The teams, including Chennai Super Kings led by national captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, are expected to arrive in the UAE in the second week of April.

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