Dubai Cricket Stadium Set to Host Pakistan-N. Zealand T20 Matches
Cricket Tuesday, October 27th, 2009Cricket fans can watch the best Twenty20 team in the world when Pakistan take on New Zealand in two Twenty20 Internationals at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan are the favourites to win the series in Dubai after their stunning victory in the World Twenty20 Championships in England in June.
With players of the calibre of Shahid Afridi (captain) and Umar Gul, the leading bowler in this form of the game, Pakistan have undoubtedly become the team to beat in T20 cricket.
Pakistan is a very popular team in this part of the world and tickets for the matches will in big demand.
The magnificent 25,000-capacity Dubai Cricket Stadium is expected to be full when the two teams meet on November 12 and 13.
Khalid Al Zarooni, President of Dubai Sports City, said: “We are thrilled to be hosting Pakistan’s two Twenty20 Internationals against New Zealand under the lights at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
“It is great to welcome the World Champions in this form of the game. The large Pakistani fans here will really make it a great atmosphere in the stadium.”
Maqbul Dudhia, DSC General Manager, Sports Business, added: “Dubai Sports City was purpose-built as an ideal location for international teams to meet and compete at world-class facilities in front of tens of thousands of cheering fans and we look forward to two great matches next month.”
Pakistan’s success in the shortest international format of the game is impressive but it is no recent phenomenon.
Pakistan came within one shot of winning the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 event in South Africa when they were beaten by India in a thrilling final and no side in international cricket comes close to matching their staggering record of 19 wins from 25 matches in the shortest form of the game.
But standing in their way now will be a New Zealand side keen to demonstrate their own credentials in T20I cricket.
They have one of the leading short-form players in the world in wicketkeeper-batsman Brendon McCullum while captain Daniel Vettori is among the game’s top all-rounders.
And they will be out for revenge after the last T20I meeting between the two sides, during the ICC WT20 in June, when Umar Gul’s 5-6, the best figures in the history of the T20I game, wrecked the Black Caps and led to a six-wicket win for Pakistan.
Since then, the two sides have met in the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this month with New Zealand winning the semifinal match by five wickets. Later they lost the final to Australia.
Premium and platinum tickets for the matches at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium are available on www.boxofficeme.com and (+971 4 367 6699).
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on Oct 27 2009. Filed under