By Fawad Hussain
DOHA: Qatari cricket teams have promised a feisty performance as they host Saudi Arabia in the three-match Friendly Cup at the Asian Town Cricket Stadium in Doha.
The Saudi Arabian team arrives this morning for the event featuring two Twenty20 and a one-day match. The series starts today, QCA Secretary General Manzoor Ahmed said.
The Friendly Cup starts with a twenty20 game this evening followed by a one-day game (tomorrow) with the last Twenty20 to be played on Saturday.
“It’s a great initiative by the Qatar Cricket Association (QCA) as it will boost the game in both the countries,” Qatar’s one-day captain Inam-ul Haq said on the eve of the start of Friendly Cup.
“Teams from both the countries have been craving for high-class cricket since a long while and it’s an opportunity for both the sides to show the mettle.”
The one-day captain said his team would go all out for victory against the visitors.
“We have a balanced side. The players are in good form and eager to do well against Saudi Arabia,” said Haq, an experienced first-class cricketer.
“We are looking to improve in the ICC (International Cricket Council) rankings and taking this event as a first step towards our progress.”
Haq also lauded the QCA’s proposal to initiate cricket Gulf Cup for the GCC countries.
“It would be a huge breakthrough for the game in the region. These countries have huge talent and if this idea materialises, it would showcase the talent, present in the GCC countries,” he added.
Meanwhile, Qatari Twenty20 captain Awais Malik vowed an action-packed Twenty20 games during the Friendly Cup.
“This format is about the crash, bang and wallop and the fans can expect loads of sixes and boundaries during these matches.
“We have been practising well for these two matches. Most of our batsmen have a very good potential in hitting,” he said.
“We have not played Saudi Arabia before but all the players are upbeat about the victory.”
Malik added that cricket fans should avail the opportunity of free entrance in the stadium during the Friendly Cup matches.
“The QCA took a good step by making free entry for the fans. These matches will be fun-filled and the fans must attend all the games,” said Malik.
The match today starts at 6:00pm while tomorrow’s match will start at 2:00pm.
The final game on Saturday will start at 9:00am.
The Peninsula
