Emirates Airlines T20 to bring in top-class action

Dubai: The Emirates airlines' new cricket facility, coming up at The Sevens, will take off by staging a prestigious cricket tournament next month. They will stage the inaugural Emirates Airline Twenty20 event with star teams like the Cape Cobras, the reigning Twenty20 champions of South Africa, England County teams Surrey and Sussex and Fly Emirates XI, many of those who represent the UAE national team.

Emirates will unveil the new cricket pitch, located on the Al Ain Road off Dubai, ahead of the tournament. The two-day event scheduled for March 19 and 20 will see some of the finest cricketers in action. Cape Cobras will go head to head with the Sussex Sharks, and having produced superstars in the mould of Gary Kirsten, Jacques Kallis and Herschelle Gibbs, they should attract a strong following.

Sussex is England's Twenty20 Cup holders and NatWest Pro40 champions. The team is made up of England stars like Luke Wright, Ed Joyce and James Kirtley. The event organisers are Arabian Cricket Challenge (ARCH).

The Surrey Lions will have England stars Mark Ramprakash, Steven Davies and Chris Tremlett.

Maurice Flanagan, executive vice-chairman of Emirates Airline and Group, is an ardent cricket fan and is delighted that the Fly Emirates XI will get to play the Cape Cobras.

Top-class players

"We are really excited by the addition of such a great club to the line-up. They have some world-renowned players and it will be a wonderful experience for our team to play against them. Emirates is committed to the growth of cricket both in the UAE and around the world and it is great pleasure to be able provide cricket followers here the chance to see top players in action."

Tournament director and ARCH founder Matthew Jackson, who was instrumental in bringing county teams here, said: "We believe we can deliver a great weekend of family entertainment and high-class cricket at a new venue which is perfect for the event.

"The Sevens cricket venue is all about a festival atmosphere, with room for fans to relax and watch some great cricket on grass banks while enjoying a braai [barbecue].

"Our goal is to grow the Emirates Airline Twenty20 to become a recognised global cricket event in line with the successful Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens."