Former Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and West Indies international cricketers will showcase their skill today playing along with some of the young talents on the island in the Bahrain Cricket Festival at the National Stadium in Riffa.
The day-long event, billed as a ‘fun filled family day’ starting around noon and ending late in the night, is being held under the patronage of Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, chairman of Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and president of Bahrain Olympic Committee, and in conjunction with Ministry of Youth and Sports and Bahrain Cricket Academy.
Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq will lead the Bahrain Falcons while and former Indian star Irfan Pathan the Bahrain Eagles. The Twenty20 matches, also involving players from the Bahrain Cricket Academy, are expected to start around 6pm.
Other former Pakistan players in Bahrain for the festival include Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Imran Nazir, Sohail Tanveer and Rana Naveed, India’s Irfan Pathan and R P Singh, Bangladesh’s Mohammed Ashraful and Mohammed Sharif, former Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan and Marlon Samuels of the West Indies.
Details
Most of the players were present a press conference last night where the organisers revealed more details of the event.
“We want to promote the local players through this festival. We don’t have a proper academy or proper grounds now hence we are trying to raise the awareness about this sport and show the people how beneficial this sport can be in promoting the country,” said Arif Sadiq, one of the organisers.
Apart from T20 matches, organisers have also lined up live performances by Stereo Nations and Pakistan actress Neelam Muneer, fireworks, skydive landing, marching band, carnival games, jumping castles, stage performances, street magic and tennis ball cricket for kids. Food and drinks will be available at the venue.
“We are trying to create a new cricket culture in Bahrain and to make it a destination for all international cricket maches which would not only develop the sports sector in the Kingdom but also strengthen the tourism sector,” said Khan Tanoli, Investment Counsellor for the Pakistan Prime Minister’s Office and one of the organisers of the event.
Tickets, starting from BD3, are available at Geant, Lulu, Gulf Mart, MegaMart and online at ticketing.ae.
For more information, contact: 36678678, 66609701, 39458045.