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| October 26, 2001 | Friday | Shaba'an 8, 1422 |
Sharjah Cup begins today
SHARJAH, Oct 25: The three-nation Sharjah Cup limited-overs tournament opens as scheduled here Friday, bringing relief and joy to cricket officials and fans alike.
The 250,000-dollar tournament, featuring Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, is the first major cricket event in Asia since the Sept 11 terrorist strikes in the United States wrecked international schedules.
The success of the tournament will be keenly watched by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which has earmarked this Gulf emirate as a possible neutral venue for Pakistan’s Test matches during the Afghanistan crisis.
The Sharjah-based Cricketers Benefit Fund Series (CBFS), which has hosted a record 174 One-day Internationals, is relieved that the spotlight will be turned on cricket again.
“This is an opportunity to show the world that ours is a top class and absolutely safe venue,” a CBFS official said, delighted that Sharjah was back in focus.
India, Australia and England have stayed away from the desert venue in recent years because of unsubstantiated allegations of betting and match-fixing.
By roping in cricket legends Sunil Gavaskar of India and Ian Botham of England in the tournament’s technical committee, the organisers hope to convince the rest of the world that matches are played fair and square.
The double-leg tournament, followed by the final on Nov 4, holds more than just passing interest for the three teams.
Pakistan are delighted to be back in action after New Zealand cancelled a scheduled Test tour in September and a one-day series against Sri Lanka fell through due to security concerns.
Pakistan have had just three days of international cricket — the Asian Test match against Bangladesh in August — since returning from a tour of England in June.
“I have never felt more eager to play and we are hungry for success,” captain Waqar Younis said. “We have been playing domestic cricket at home, but an international series at this time is a real bonus.”
Pakistan have picked a full-strength squad that includes fearsome pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar.
“This team will win the trophy,” predicted former Test opener Mudassar Nazar, Pakistan’s third coach in as many years after Javed Miandad and Richard Pybus.
Sri Lanka are looking to win their third successive title here as they build a winning combination for the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.
Skipper Sanath Jayasuriya brushed aside any security concerns and said his team was concentrating on the task at hand.
“Sharjah is one of the safest cricket venues, so we are not worried about that,” Jayasuriya said. “My worry is to ensure we play well.”
Zimbabwe, who have lost their last 11 one-dayers, including a 5-0 whitewash by England earlier this month, are not expected to provide more than a sideshow to the tussle between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.—AFP
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