Dubai: Legendary West Indies batsman Viv Richards, known as ‘King Viv’, is here. The man who once spread fear in the minds of every bowler still walks with his usual swagger.
Though he spent most of the time in the commentator’s box, giving expert comments, whenever he came out of the room, fans thronged towards him, pleading for a selfie with him. He obliged everyone and once even remarked to a fan: “Make sure you look good in the selfie as you are a young man and you are with a 64-year-old man.”
There were many who wanted a glimpse of him as they’ve watched him in action in Sharjah’s Cricketers Benefit Fund Series.
After all, who can forget the nonchalant way he sauntered to the wicket before taking guard, his slow walk down the pitch to tap his bat and a quick glance into the eye of the bowler as if to tell him that the King had arrived at the crease. And who can forget his fearless array of strokes?
Richards took a trip down memory lane with Gulf News on his playing days in Sharjah during the second Twenty20 match between West Indies and Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium. “When we first heard about having to play cricket in the UAE we all wondered where we would play in a desert. When we came here, I was thoroughly impressed to see a magnificent stadium in Sharjah. I remember seeing Abdul Rehman Bukhatir, the man who was instrumental in bringing cricket to Sharjah by building such a facility, there.”
Richards’ first knock in Sharjah was a half century against Pakistan in the 1985 Rothmans Cup. He hit 51 off just 50 balls with five boundaries and a six before being caught behind off Imran Khan and ensure his team a seven wicket win.
“I have been impressed on coming back to the UAE to see not just that stadium in Sharjah but two more in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. For me, Emirates have become sort of huge as far as cricket is concerned.“
Richards enjoyed watching the atmosphere at a India-Pakistan contest here. “It would be nice if India and Pakistan play again here. I have seen their contests in Sharjah during the eighties and with these magnificent grounds now in Dubai and Abu Dhabi too it would be pretty good.”
Appreciating the contribution of Sharjah to One-day cricket, Richards said: “One Day Internationals took off in a big way from Sharjah. The stadiums here will surely lift cricket in the whole of Middle East. Cricket spreads through influence. Other stadiums came up in the UAE mainly due to the influence from Sharjah. Today the UAE has done a world of good for cricket.”
Richards wants cricket to spread its wings. “The influence of Asians like Indians and Pakistanis is huge in cricket. Despite leaving their country, they want to be part of cricket. So folks from these countries who live in this part of the world have brought cricket culture here and in the process cricket has spread its wings,” he said
Richards is delighted that top international cricket has reached America with India and West Indies playing a T20 series there. “Cricket should reach countries which have no cricketing tradition. There are folks from all over the world who love cricket living in America. They have been missing the game after they left home. If it can be brought to America in a big way, there is going to be a wide clientele especially as far as Twenty20 is concerned.”
Richards concluded with a message for youngsters to enjoy the game. “To enjoy the game, love it appreciate it and respect it. When you respect it, you will find a lot of things coming your way. It is a game which is growing because of T20. If you have respect for the game all your other stuff, including monetary benefits will come your way.”
