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Sharjah: The Al Dhaid Cricket Village will stage World Cup qualifying matches in 2009.
"It is a matter of great pride for us that this venue has been approved to stage World Cup qualifying matches," remarked Waleed Bukhatir, the chairman of the Al Dhaid Cricket Village.
"Our turf wicket at this venue is nearing completion and we are delighted that we could stage 322 matches at this venue this season," he added.
"When we started this new venue under Sharjah Cricket Council, we never thought it could become a popular venue. Today cricketers are keen to play here," said Bukhatir.
The cricket village was presented to Sharjah Cricket Council by Abdul Rehman Bukhatir after realising that cricket venues began dwindling in the UAE owing to increasing construction work.
"We have now five cement wickets and soon will have one turf wicket. One of the cement wickets we will transform it into a astro turf wicket with grass outfield," he added.
Sharjah Cricket Council thus managed to stage 900 matches this season under its umbrella with Umm Al Quwain and Hamriya too staging many matches.
Most of the finals of the top tournaments were held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
"Before the World Cup qualifiers, we will stage some matches on the turf wicket," said Bukhatir.
World Cup atmosphere
Countries participating in the world cup qualifiers include Holland, Scotland, Ireland, Kenya, Canada, Bermuda, Namibia, Denmark, Oman and UAE.
"The atmosphere at the cricket village and the wickets helped us stage some great tournaments this season.
The ICC turf experts were happy with the turf and cleared us to stage the World Cup qualifiers," commented Mazhar Khan, the administrator of Emirates Cricket Board and secretary of the Sharjah Cricket Council.
Cricket Results
Tournament No of teams No of matches
17th Bukhatir League "B" Division 32 63
SCC Inter Bank 10 21
2nd Al Dhaid League "A" Division League 16 31
AJ Invitation League 16 31
SCC Invitation League 16 31
SCC Champions League Cup 32 63
Royal Sun Alliance 10 21
DANZEYS "B" Division 16 31
Max Talent U15 Inter School - 10
Other Matches played at Al Dhaid - 20
Total 322
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