Cook and Yuvraj star attractions at Emirates Airline T20

Ajit Vijaykumar 03:23 19/03/2015
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  • Ready to fire: MCC’s Alastair Cook (2nd r) and other players and officials at the launch of the Emirates Airline T20 tournament.

    Twenty20 cricket has taken the UAE by storm and the country has been hosting various T20 tournaments of late. The fast-paced action and involvement of cricketing stars make it a must watch for cricket fans.

    With the IPL making its debut in the emirates last year, the appetite for T20 has now grown exponentially. And providing cricket fans in the UAE another great opportunity to enjoy some top quality cricket is the Emirates Airline T20 tournament which will be played on Friday, at the Sevens cricket ground in Dubai.

    The series puts four English sides against each other as the players look to get the best possible preparation ahead of the new season.

    Some of the biggest names in English cricket, and a few outside Britain as well, will be showcasing their skills in the event that sees the Marylebone Cricket Club, Yorkshire, Lancashire and Sussex fight it out for the Emirates T20 trophy. Apart from some high-octane cricket, fans will get to see some big names in action.

    Leading the list of star players at the tournament is India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh and England opener Alastair Cook. Both players will turn out for a star-studded MCC side that will begin the campaign with a semi-final clash against Sussex. The winner of that clash will take on the victor of the Yorkshire-Lancashire encounter in the final.

    Yuvraj and Cook will have a lot to prove as both players failed to make it to their respective national sides for the ongoing World Cup. While India have prospered without the southpaw, England fared poorly and were knocked out after the group stage.

    Yuvraj will be keen to show that he still has it in him to turn up the heat in limited overs cricket while Cook will be desperate to regain his touch and get the runs flowing once again.

    While the spotlight will be on the two big stars, there are others in the fray as well. Former England internationals Nick Compton and Michael Carberry will turn out for the MCC side that will also feature Nepal captain Paras Khadka, a move that is sure to help increase the reach of the game.

    Ashley Giles is the coach of a young Lancashire side that will look to upstage the big sides. Yorkshire have a strong team for the tournament, with some T20 heavyweights in the form of Jonny Bairstow, Tim Bresnan, Liam Plunkett and Ryan Sidebottom bolstering the team.

    Sussex too will fancy their chances, with internationals Luke Wright and Michael Yardy beefing up the side. The stage is set for a great day out for the family in Dubai.

    Apart from cricket, there will be various leisure activities lined up for adults and kids with the idea being to create a relaxed atmosphere where families can enjoy cricket sitting on the gras embankments and simply relax. With so much on offer at the Sevens cricket ground, be sure to be a part of the excitement.

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