If we can convince India and Pakistan to play here in Dubai once or twice a year, it would be fantastic, says the Chairman of Dubai Cricket Council.
After hosting the second leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in Dubai and then hosting the T20 World Cup successfully, Dubai Cricket Council has expressed its desire to host the India-Pakistan bilateral series once or twice a year.
Chairman of Dubai Cricket Council, Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, spoke to the local media at UAE and expressed his feelings to host the bilateral series between the biggest arch-rivals.
“The best thing would be to get India-Pakistan matches here. When Sharjah used to host India and Pakistan all those years ago, it was like a war. But it was a good war, it was a sporting war and it was fantastic,”
said Falaknaz, as quoted in Khaleej Times.
“I remember [Bollywood actor] Raj Kapoor came once with his family. During the awards night, he took the mic and said, ‘How wonderful it is to have these India-Pakistan battles in Sharjah. Cricket brings people together, cricket has brought us together, and let us remain this way.”
“So this is what we would like to do. If we can convince India to come and play here against Pakistan once a year or twice a year, it would be fantastic.”
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The IPL and T20 World Cup was originally scheduled to be held in India but due to the severe Covid-19 situation both the events were moved to the UAE.
“I am very proud because the UAE as a whole and especially Dubai in particular hosts anything to the best. And of course, T20 World Cup is also a sign of good organization. I would say we are lucky to be an alternative to India,”
said Falaknaz.
“I am looking forward to hosting more India-Pakistan matches in Dubai. I will try and convince my friends in the BCCI for the same. If they are ready to play Pakistan, we will be more than happy to offer our venue.”
Falaknaz has also claimed that the BCCI has seen the potential of Dubai in hosting major events.
“I would invite them to come and hold their IPL, start here and finish in India or start in India and finish in Dubai. It all depends on what the BCCI wants to do. We are very friendly with them.”