Sport | Cricket
Captains unveil Fortune Cup
Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malek and West Indies skipper Chris Gayle promised exciting cricket after the Fortune Cup for the three-match one-day series between the two countries starting Tuesday was unveiled here on Monday.
- By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
- Published: 00:11 November 11, 2008
- Mani (right), Al Nuaimi (left), Shoaib Malek, Chris Gayle and Syed Mohammad Ali (centre) with the Fortune Cup.
- Image Credit: Ravindranath/Gulf News
Abu Dhabi: Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malek and West Indies skipper Chris Gayle promised exciting cricket after the Fortune Cup for the three-match one-day series between the two countries starting Tuesday was unveiled here on Monday.
The two skippers along with Abu Dhabi Cricket Club (ADCC) President Dilawar Mani, presenting sponsor Etisalat's Abu Dhabi Regional General Manager Jamal Saeed Al Nuaimi, Fortune Group CEO Syed Mohammad Ali and ASSET Managing Director Sanjay Lal unveiled the Fortune Cup yesterday at Zayed Cricket Stadium.
The two former World Cup champions will play the three day-night matches on November 12, 14 and 16.
Addressing a press conference Malek said although Abu Dhabi was a perfect place for enjoyment his team was here to play some serious cricket.
"I am confident the team will put in their best efforts and play to win," he said.
Echoing Malek's words, Gayle said: "This is the first time I have been here and I have hear Abu Dhabi is a great place for tourism. But our main purpose is to play cricket and we hope to put on a good show."
Mani said cricket fans in Abu Dhabi owed major thanks to Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and the Government of Abu Dhabi for promoting the sport and building an iconic stadium.
"We are looking forward to a highly entertaining and exciting series between two great cricketing nations.," Mani said.
Fortune Group CEO Mohammad Ali said: "I am certain the participating teams will be inspired to do their best to achieve their goal of winning this prestigious Cup."
Etisalat, who are also the sponsors of the Professional Football League, will be supporting cricket for the first time and their Abu Dhabi Regional General Manager Jamal Saeed Al Nuaimi said: "The possibility of entertaining our expatriate customers through a sport that they are passionate about is our way of showing our appreciation for the customer loyalty Etisalat enjoys among the expatriate community."
The event is being marketed and managed by ASSET and its managing director Sanjay Lal said: "We have been involved in international cricket matches here for the past three years and have found the crowds getting bigger with each year. We are thrilled with the response the Fortune Cup has generated so far and tickets are selling fast."
Matches on all three days will start at 3pm and Ten Sports has won broadcasting rights.
Tickets for the east and west mounds are priced at Dh25, the north stands are Dh60, while the south stands have tickets priced Dh100, Dh150 and Dh300.
Share this article
Popular in Sport
-
Pictures
Kings of the court
The world's top tennis players who will battle in the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals
Sport Editor's choice
-
Murray still hopeful of semis slot
Andy Murray is still hopeful of putting his best foot forward after losing to world number one Roger Federer
-
India tighten grip as Dravid hits ton
Sri Lanka on 66 following Dilshan duck
-
Federer reclaims No 1 ranking
Swiss ace beats Murray at world tour finals
