Long innings brings IPL rewards to Sharjah cricket stadium chief

Mazhar Khan, managing director of Sharjah Cricket Stadium, says he never dreamt of having the IPL at the ground and now cannot wait until Thursday when the first of six games will be played. Antonie Robertson / The NationalShow less

SHARJAH // There are few expatriates who can boast about having lived in the UAE for four decades, and fewer still who can say they spent those years playing an integral role in the UAE’s cricket scene.

Mazhar Khan, the managing director of Sharjah Cricket Stadium, and long-standing administrator for the Emirates Cricket Board, is one such person.

Throughout his time in the UAE, Mazhar, born in Hyderabad, has been at the forefront of developing the local game.

And, when the Indian Premier League (IPL) arrives in the country on Wednesday, the expatriate will once again act as a driving force for ensuring the success and operation of the high-level competition.

Sharjah Cricket Stadium will host six of the 20 games being played in the UAE.

“I think this is very exciting, we never dreamed of having an IPL here and now that it has come it will be challenging, but a amazing event,” he said.

Tickets for the Sharjah games have been selling fast, with many local residents expected to attend.

“In Sharjah we have six games and the first game is sold out, which is good news. I’m sure, as the days pass by, whatever tickets are left will be taken by the fans. Sharjah, being in the centre of the city, people will often walk in and there is a lot of expat communities around this area.

“Sometimes, people just see the lights on and start walking towards the stadium.”

Witnessing some of the world’s elite play in the UAE will undoubtedly inspire the country’s younger generation to pick up the game, he said.

“Our juniors are looking forward to it. There are thousands of children at these sorts of events and now our cricket itself will move on another step because of watching these players play. “There is so much excitement and it is good for cricket in the UAE and Sharjah. By hosting this event, I’m sure there will be many more to follow.”

Despite his professionalism, there is a special place in his heart for his home side, the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

“It is a pleasure to have Hyderabad here. Of course, I would like them to do well and I am excited to see them. They have wonderful players and the best fast-bowler in the world – so let’s hope he rips apart the other teams,” Mazhar said, allowing himself a moment of bias.

The cricket fan said that with many Indians expected to attend the games, an element of rivalry will be certain, but only when the teams take to the field. “I think, since it is being played for the first time here, people are quietly supporting their teams right now, but when they go out on the ground you’ll see the difference.

“You’ll realise that they are supporting their home teams very quickly.”

In preparation for the IPL, the stadium, which was built in 1982, has renovated its VIP areas.

It has since played host to numerous Tests and One Day International games, though suffered a temporary setback in making a name for itself after India banned their side from playing there amidst match-fixing scandals in 2001.

However, the stadium’s popularity has been improving since 2010, when political unrest in Pakistan reignited interest in the field as a safe off-shore venue.

The stadium hopes its turn as IPL host will propel it back on to the international stage.

Sharjah Cricket Stadium will host its first game of the 2014 IPL season on Thursday, when the Delhi Daredevils meet the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

The Delhi Daredevils have won less than half of their meetings with the Royal Challengers, most recently losing to them by just four runs last May.