IPL 2021: Sharjah Cricket Stadium announces major upgrades
Practice facility at Sharjah with turf and Astro-turf wickets ready for start of IPL
Sharjah Cricket Stadium, which will host 10 Indian Premier League matches before the T20 World Cup, has announced major upgrades in the run-up to the conclusion of the IPL, which will be played from September 19 in the United Arab Emirates.
The first half of the IPL 2021 was played in India earlier this year, before it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The BCCI then decided to shift the remaining matches to the UAE and they will be played at Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
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“The newly re-laid wicket block will now accommodate six pitches in the centre, including four broadcasting and two practice pitches,” Sharjah said in a statement. “They are currently building a new practice facility with four turf wickets and four Astro-turf wickets to accommodate multiple teams during practice sessions. These will be ready in time for the IPL.”
Among other facilities, a state-of-the-art gymnasium, indoor swimming pool, steam room and sauna area have also been upgraded.
Moreover, there are 11 new VIP suites, a VIP grand dining area and improved hospitality facilities at the top tier of the pavilion end.
“Sharjah’s atmosphere or as we like to call it the ‘Sharjah magic’ is what differentiates the stadium from any other cricketing venue in the UAE,” said Khalaf Bukhatir, Managing Director of Bukhatir Group and CEO of Sharjah Cricket Stadium. “This was no more evident than at last year’s edition when we played host to some of the most exciting moments of the IPL. We still don’t know if we are welcoming cricket fans into the stadium this IPL, but we are certainly ready and looking forward to hosting some world-class cricket in a world-class, safe and secure environment.”
The first game will be played between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore on September 24.