It remains to be seen whether or not the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be a success in the UAE – but the powers that be have every reason to be overwhelmingly optimistic.
Sunil Gavaskar, the interim IPL president, said yesterday that a successful IPL stint here could prompt a return of the Indian national team.
If the appetite for the leading T20 competition were large enough, what about expanding the tournament’s borders and housing a team here in future?
If that happened, what would prospective expansion franchises in the UAE look like and who should they recruit?
Sharjah Shoguns
Why it would work
Even though India have not played there since 2000, Sharjah still has staged more one-day international matches than any other ground. The closest UAE venue to a town centre, it has a ready, cricket-mad community on its doorstep.
Who should they sign? Mohammad Shahzad (Afghanistan)
When Sharjah was establishing itself as the premier destination for cricket beyond the Test elite, in the 1980s, Afghanistan had far more serious things on its mind than cricket.
Now, though, the sport is avidly followed there. The explosive Shahzad is the darling of their expatriate fans when they play at their adopted home ground in Sharjah.
Dubai Dazzlers
Why it would work
If any city were ready-made to host a competition as glitzy and star-laden as the IPL, it is Dubai. Even the floodlighting system at Dubai’s International Cricket Stadium – the Ring of Fire – sounds flash.
Who should they sign? MS Dhoni (India)
With 25,000 seats, it has the largest capacity of any cricket ground in the UAE. It has proved a job to fill for all but a few international matches, so far, although it has sold out twice for Twenty20 matches involving Pakistan. People would flock to get an in-the-flesh glimpse of cricket’s most bankable player.
Abu Dhabi Admirals
Why it would work
Few places fuse tradition (grass banks which are more in keeping with cricket’s roots in an English meadow, plus an association with the ancient institution, MCC) with modern (the visually arresting roof above the main stand) as Zayed Cricket Stadium.
Who should they sign? Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)
Though it sometimes seems otherwise, Afridi cannot go on forever selling tickets on behalf of UAE cricket grounds. However, as long as he remains able to clear the ropes with his whirling willow the Pathan all-rounder will remain box-office in these parts. He is welcome here, too, unlike in India.
sports@thenational.ae
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