Sharjah: Sharjah Cricket Stadium came back to life with top-flight international cricketers once again returning to this historic venue, which recently entered the Guinness Book of World Records for hosting the maximum number of one-day matches.
The stadium, which will host the third Test match beginning on Thursday, was bustling with activity yesterday when Sri Lankan players did their stretching exercises and played a game of football to loosen up. They also did fielding practice for nearly an hour.
Sri Lanka had dropped crucial catches in the second Test match in Dubai which they lost by nine wickets and hence worked hard on sharpening their fielding skills.
Close look
Early in the morning, International Cricket Council officials visited the stadium. Among the ICC officials was match referee and former Australian Test star David Boon. They all had a close look at the facilities around the ground and the playing arena.
According to Sharjah Cricket Club officials they have endorsed the stadium which has adhered to ICC regulations.
Sharjah Club officials also revealed that they reduced the number of seats for the Test series in accordance with ICC security measures.
For Boon the visit was a nostalgic return to the venue of the 1986 Austral Asia Cup where he produced many spectacular knocks which included an unbeaten 92 against New Zealand in 1990. He was so impressed with the renovated stadium that he jokingly asked the Sharjah Cricket Club officials as to why these facilities were not made available during his playing days.
With a new giant score board and modern screens, the venue looked like newly built although it was opened in 1982 by Abdul Rahman Bukhatir to bring international cricket into the desert.
"All the renovation work has been completed on time and we have installed the new score board and sight screens. Till now we did not have a score board which could also show the action replays. The new scoreboard is one which adapts to the latest technology," remarked Ali Anwar Jafri, the joint secretary of the Sharjah Cricket Council.
Ticket sales for the Test match and the fourth One-day match to be held on November 20 commenced yesterday. "
Everyone is waiting with bated breath for the return of the glory days of Sharjah Cricket Stadium so we are delighted to announce the ticket sales and anticipate a fabulous turnout. We look forward to welcoming cricket fans, young and old, to our new and improved stadium. Rest assured, it will be like coming home," said Waleed Bukhatir the vice-president of the Sharjah Cricket Club.
Ticket prices have been made affordable as thousands of Pakistan and Sri Lankan fans live in Sharjah's industrial area.
Ticket prices start from Dh30 for the Test match and Dh50 for One-day match. Five-day tickets are also available online.
