May 28, 2008	Wednesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 22, 1429

DUBAI, May 27: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will become a destination for top-class international cricket, says Ray Mali, President of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

“The ICC has taken an initiative to enter into a partnership with Dubai Sports City and to establish home of cricket in their premises,” he said.

“Once the Dubai Sports City cricket stadium is complete then we will see a lot of international matches being played here.

“We will ensure the ICC tournaments are played here. This is an ideal venue for the Champions Trophy. Many nations believe that the UAE should be made a destination for top-class cricket,” he stated.

But Mali warned that cricket in the Emirates could only progress by attracting the UAE nationals to the game.

“It will be a time-consuming matter, but only if heroes emerge from among the UAE nationals will more take up the game,” emphasised Mali, who also believes cricket will soon be among the most popular games in China and America.

“We will soon see tall, broad shouldered bowlers emerging from places like Afghanistan,” he added.

He defended the impact of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on world cricket and dismissed suggestions it should be restricted.

“No one should restrict something that people love to watch. All we need to do is to ensure Twenty20 does not kill other forms of the game.

“Twenty20 is a revelation and attracted a brand new crop of followers. It is a magnet.

“However, Test cricket is the real thing and it will always be on top. There is no alternative to it,” he said in Sharjah after giving prizes to Emirates Pakistan who won Four Nations Cup final against Emirates Sri Lanka.

“England, Pakistan, West Indies and Australia are planning to organise Twenty20 tournaments and it will be good for the game. The ICC should not restrict it as people are enjoying it. I personally have no problem with it,” Mali expressed.

He felt the IPL helped to alleviate racial issues too that were threatening to plague the game.

“The IPL has helped cricketers from different cultures stay together and play together for nearly six weeks. This will help get rid of racism without the need for legislation to curb it.”

He lamented Sunil Gavaskar’s decision to quit as chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee, saying: “To lose somebody of Sunil’s calibre will leave a big dent in our movement forward, especially in planning. We will always consult him.”

Mali was impressed by Asia’s role in world cricket, saying: “India is the centre of attention and Asia has become hub of the game.

“We will make sure in the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP) that the Asia Cup should be given more importance. We will make sure the event is held on regular basis.

“India, Pakistan Sri Lanka, UAE and Bangladesh have a huge following.”

Mali refused to comment on controversial umpire Darrell Hair and early leaving of the ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed.—Agencies