Sharjah Cricket Stadium turns a new leaf

As Sharjah Cricket Stadium returns to the international spotlight with the staging of the third Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka beginning Thursday, the hosts are leaving no stone unturned to ensure it steers clear of the controversy which has rocked the cricketing world.

“We have been a home for the Afghanistan cricket team and now this is a great honour to host teams from Pakistan and Sri Lanka. We are hoping that the best of cricket is played here and I’m sure the fans will enjoy them,” said Mazhar Khan a veteran cricket administrator in the UAE.

The normally affable official even rankled at questions related to the spot-fixing guilty verdict delivered in a London court to three Pakistan players, requesting that the focus be on the cricket in Sharjah.

Fondly referred to as the ‘oasis in the desert’, the Sharjah Cricket Stadium entered the Guinness Book of World Records for playing host to 200 one-day international matches, the most at any one venue.
 
“It’s a good 25-year-old stadium. The responsibility taken was completed within three months. It’s all a compliment to Mr Bukhathir and his team of people,” he said.

“Nine years back there was no proper place for players to sit down and they used to sit down next to the crowd. Now there is new changing room and the players’ lounges has totally been revamped,” he said.

More significantly they have secured the access to the players’ dressing rooms. “We have ensured now as per ICC regulations everything is under our control and players and match officials are totally secure. They’ve been given just a one-door entry,” he explained.

“It is very well planned with new canopies around, practice facilities and centre wicket all taken care of. We are looking forward to have some wonderful cricket,” he said.

Built in the early 1980s, the stadium soon became a neutral venue for the mouth-watering clashes between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, who did not get to host each other due to strained relations between the two governments.

Hosted under the auspices of Cricketers Benefit Fund Series by businessman Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, the events also saw some of the former greats from both Pakistan and India honoured with benefits funds for their services.

Pakistan also played two Tests each against the West Indies and Australia after both teams refused to tour them in the wake of a war on terror sparked in the aftermath of the 9-11 attacks on the United States in 2001. But the Indian government’s refusal to allow its national team to play in Sharjah in 2003 left the desert ground deserted.

Asked about the possibility of reviving the popular India-Pakistan ties, Mazhar jumped at the mere thought of it.

“Why not? We have got some wonderful venues in UAE. The next Asia Cup could be here. We can see our four Asian countries playing,” he said. Bangladesh is scheduled to stage next year’s Asia Cup in March.

“We hope to have internationals not only with Pakistan but other countries also coming. Emirates Cricket Board is hosting Scotland in March and we have ICC T20 World Cup qualifiers where 16 countries are playing.”

Mazhar also hoped the Sharjah Cup could be revived.

“We are definitely positive and hope to have as much cricket as possible and keep the venue as busy as ever,” he said.

“Everyone is waiting with bated breath for the return of the glory days of Sharjah stadium so we look forward to welcoming cricket fans, young and old, to our new and improved stadium,” said Waleed Bukhatir, the vice-chairman of Sharjah Cricket Council which own the stadium.

The 27,000 capacity stadium equipped with floodlights will also hold one of five one-day matches which follow the Test series on November 20.

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