A brand new monthly magazine dedicated to meeting the needs of Asian cricket followers has been launched by 'Wisden.'

Wisden Asia Cricket, already a major success as the only dedicated cricket magazine in India, is now available on a subscription basis to followers of the game in the Gulf.

Written and published in Mumbai, the stylish, full-colour magazine is characterised by crisp analysis, trenchant editorials and in-depth features. This high-quality approach aims to entertain, inform and provide lively debate among fans, connoisseurs and the top players themselves.

Its editor Sambit Bal, explaining the philosophy behind the launch of the title, said: "Wisden and Asia are naturally bound together by a burning passion for the game.

"For 139 years the Wisden name has stood for values, which matter to cricket: authority, integrity, independence and editorial excellence are at the core of a cherished legacy.

"But the most critical of these is an abiding love for the game and there are more Asians who share that love than any other people around the globe."

The July issue of the magazine contains profiles of leading contenders in the Electrolux-Kelvinator Wisden Indian Cricketer of the Century. Mihir Bose writes on M.A.K. Pataudi, Ayaz Memon on Kapil Dev and Harsha Bhogle features Sunil Gavaskar.

Elsewhere, an interview with Sir Garry Sobers looking back at his duels with Lillee, Trueman and Gupte, reveals his thoughts on Lara v Tendulkar.

Rahul Bhattacharya interviews Saurav Ganguly and Javagal Srinath talks about his retirement from international cricket. Regular columnist Frank Tyson compares the outstanding fielding skills of South Africans, Colin Bland and Jonty Rhodes.

"Even in countries where cricket is covered intensively by the media, Asian followers feel deprived of material written for them. Wisden Asia Cricket understands this need and covers global cricket with a distinct Asian perspective," explains Sambit Bal.