Pakistan Annexes Dubai!
Well, in cricketing terms only! ;) As was suggested and predicted by many, Pakistan has agreed to move some of its international "home" matches to Dubai:
This is an excellent move. It's sad for Pakistanis, but the reality is that Pakistan is not getting much home cricket. I think the matches will be better attended, more closely followed, and higher earning than those played in Pakistan.
It remains to be seen whether Pakistan will move Test matches as well. I can't imagine why not. No "white" (excuse the political incorrectness) team is touring Pakistan anytime soon.
Q - I have to say I'm a little jealous! Lucky you!
The Pakistan Cricket Board has signed a three-year agreement to play its home one-day internationals and Twenty20 matches at the new Dubai Sports City.
The Emirate will also host three ODIs against the Windies in November.
The new 25,000 stadium in Dubai will initially host a series involving Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh next April and a series of Twenty20 matches against various teams. [LINK]
This is an excellent move. It's sad for Pakistanis, but the reality is that Pakistan is not getting much home cricket. I think the matches will be better attended, more closely followed, and higher earning than those played in Pakistan.
It remains to be seen whether Pakistan will move Test matches as well. I can't imagine why not. No "white" (excuse the political incorrectness) team is touring Pakistan anytime soon.
Q - I have to say I'm a little jealous! Lucky you!
good, now to watch pak play again.
Might be the closest Pakistan get to a home game.
I think there's a slight confusion. BBC seem to have misunderstood the deal that has been signed between the PCB and Dubai Sports City.
The 3 year contract that has been signed is for Pakistan to play a number of international against other sides including triangular series, 20-20 quadrangulars, etc - these are new series on top of those that are already in the FTP.
Pakistan's home series scheduled for 2009-2011 will not be played in Dubai. The deal signed involves different matches.
For example the India tour in Jan is happening in Pakistan..
The Pakistan-Windies 3 ODI series has been scheduled since early this year. Thats in Abu Dhabi.
Im not sure why BBC is reporting that Pak will play their home games there as that is not the case.
As for me - well I grew up in the Sharjah stadium.. I guess will grow old in the Dubai one ;-)
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This is the news about Pakistan signing the deal with Dubai Sports City.
I still can't believe that the BBC reported something wrong.
This is the best way forward.. now if only they could think on those lines for the champions trophy.