Dubai: UAE’s domestic cricket will stage its “richest” tournament when Danube hosts the second edition of the Danube Test Series in December.
With an eye to encourage the longer version of the game in the UAE, Danube in collaboration with Dubai Cricket Council (DCC), has announced the staging of their tournament which will surpass all records for prize money for teams as well as the top performers.
The tournament is being held with the support and guidance from Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth & Social Development and the president of the Emirates Cricket Board.
Speaking to Gulf News after finalising the venue with International Cricket Council Academy ground officials, Anees Sajan, Managing Director of the Danube Group and the brain behind this series, said: “We wanted to make longer version of the game as attractive as possible and hence increased our total prize money from Dh15,000 last year to Dh225,000. I am thankful to Shaikh Nahyan for his support and guidance. With unprecedented support from all councils and the Emirates Cricket Board, we are delighted to clinch a prominent place in the UAE’s domestic cricket calendar.”
Elaborating on the effort to make it a unique tournament, Sajan said: “Playing longer version of the game is important for players to excel in all other forms of the game. With UAE set to play in the World Cup and also many international matches including four-day fixtures, we thought it will be ideal to equip the players through such a tournament. The final will be a three-day game and the two teams that will reach the final will get his unique experience.”
To make it attractive for the teams, not only the prize money has been increased by 1,500 per cent but it will also reward top performers with huge cash prizes. The Man of the Series will be presented with a new car worth Dh40,000 and the best batsman and best bowler can pocket Dh7,500 each.
Even the losing semifinalists can win Dh10,000 each. The cash prize for the winner of Dh100,000 is the highest ever and even runner up can win Dh50,000.
“I have requested the ICC Academy to provide Australian type fast pitches so that players here gain the experience of playing on fast wickets. To give the experience of Test cricket, the matches will be played in whites with players wearing traditional baggy caps. Nine top A division teams will be allowed to take part,” said Sajan.
The first edition of the Test series was won by Wings SRT defeating Yogi Group through a hard-fought final.
