Dubai: The second edition of the Danube Test Series will commence on Wednesday with the Danube Lions taking on Al Faraa in the opening match of the event. The two-day match is to be played at the Dubai International Stadium on the same pitch where Pakistan played against New Zealand and Australia.
This high-profile tournament, which offers a prize money of Dh100,000, is being held to promote the longer format of the game.
Anees Sajan, who envisaged the unique tournament, said: “The winners will be decided on maximum points gained from the two-day contest. Teams will play up to 200 overs in two days with each team pushing to get maximum points. The top two teams after the league stage will fight it out for the finals at the Dubai International Stadium in a three-day game starting on January 7.”
“I am sure the second season of this event will be exciting and provide cricketers an opportunity to play the longer version of the game and produce some high-quality cricket. I am sure there is going to be some hard fought cricket played and I sincerely hope new stars will emerge from this series.”
The three-day final will be a first in the history of UAE’s domestic cricket.
The other two teams that will play their opening match on Thursday at ICC Academy are Alubond Tigers and GMW Royal.
Danube will also be hosting a One-Day Series at the ICC Academy immediately after the Test series.
“It will be a 50-over contest but unlike the usual tournaments the matches will be played in whites as against the regular coloured clothing.”
Both the tournaments were launched by Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, who is also the Head of the Emirates Cricket Board. Teams will be provided traditional white kits with Delhi Darbar and Cha Cha Chai sponsoring the refreshments.
