At least that is the impression XPRESS LIFE gathered when we spoke to pretty young women in Dubai. Forget the balls and the bats, it's the boys in the park they are after.
While their passion for the game per se may not match up to their counterparts' in cricketing countries, women in Dubai do seem to be very clear about who they think the sexiest cricketer is. And why.
According to Uma Ghosh Deshpande, a Dubai-based TV presenter, the Indian wicket keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the sexiest cricketer on the circuit.
“It is not so much about the way he looks, but to me his sexiness lies in his attitude and the way he carries himself. He comes across as a smart guy,'' said Deshpande.
For some women a bowler's run-up can be a big turn on. Sonali Kukreti,a sales manager, was bowled over by former Pakistan cricketer Imran Khan. But now her loyalties lie with Yuvraj Singh from India.
The 29-year-old Indian said: “I like bowlers with a good run-up. And that's why Imran Khan used to be my favourite. Having said that, he was a great package deal including looks, attitude and skill. To me sexy quotient is not just about looks.
“I can't think of anyone from the current lot who can match Imran, but Yuvraj Singh does come close. For starters, he has an attractive name. He also plays well and has a great smile. He also comes across as confident without being arrogant. And therein lies his sex appeal.''
There are many who are still loyal to old timers such as Ian Botham, Wasim Akram, Imran Khan, Ravi Shastri and the Waugh brothers. So much so that their interest in the game petered out after their departure. Pakistani Nadia Ijaz, 30, confessed that she no longer follows the game as keenly as she did when Imran Khan was around.
The public relations executive said: “To be honest I am not too clued up, but from what I know I think the Pakistan skipper Inzamam Ul Haq would be my man. I think he is sexy because he is the calmest of all cricketers. When anyone else in his place would be a nervous wreck, he would just stand in the first slip and scratch his beard. To me composure is a very sexy trait a man can have.''
When it comes to sex appeal, we found out there are no national boundaries, nor the need to be loyal to the home team. South African Anaci Minnaar, 28, didn't bat an eyelid before she confessed her found New Zealand's Brenden McCullum the sexiest.
The IT girl said: “He is very confident and that's a great quality in a man. In addition, he's got great style and lots going for him.''
Emma Rymer, 35, an advertising executive, picked her man of the match not from her native England but from India.
“I once found Indian cricketers cute but that was 2-3 years ago. From the younger lot I think Indian wicket keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is quite cute. He seems to have quite a cheeky look about him. I guess I go for more exotic looks. I can't think of anyone in the England squad that I think is sexy.''
Zimbabwean Stella Bvukumbwe may later need an extra cover when her boyfriend finds out that she traded her home team for Brian Lara without the shirt. The 31-year-old secretary said: “The West Indies captain Brian Lara was the sexiest cricketer around.
“He comes across as a very charming person, he is very determined and, oh, those abs when he takes his shirt off!''
XPRESS LIFE short listed 11 cricketers including Shahid Afridi, Stephen Fleming, Shane Bond and Mahendra Singh Dhoni and asked female respondents between 18-38 to rate them according to their cute quotient and sex appeal.
Indian wicket keeper Dhoni topped the poll in both sex appeal and cute quotient. New Zealand pacer Shane Bond emerged second followed closely by Pakistan all rounder Shahid Afridi. England's Kevin Pietersen and New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming took the fourth and fifth spots respectively.
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