Abu Dhabi Cricket Club gears up for Pakistan-South Africa series

Abu Dhabi Cricket Club (ADCC) will embark upon one of its busiest seasons of top-class cricket action, as it prepares to welcome Pakistan for a highly anticipated series against the world’s number one Test team South Africa.

The sides will play two Test matches, five one-day internationals (ODIs) and two T20 internationals, with the first Test taking place at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in the UAE capital from October 14-18.

Both teams have arrived in the UAE and are gearing up to lock horns for the first time since South Africa beat Pakistan 3-0 in South Africa earlier this year.

The first Test will be followed by two further one day internationals in Abu Dhabi, on 6 and 8 November.

Pakistan arrive in the UAE on the back of a series draw in Zimbabwe and will be looking to reassert themselves on ‘home’ soil against a South African team containing two of the world’s best bowlers Dale Steyn (1) and Vernon Philander (2) and three of the world’s best batsman, including Hashim Amla (1), A.B.de Villiers ((3) and Jaques Kallis (8).

In Younus Khan and Saeed Ajmal, Pakistan also contain two of the world’s top ranked Test players who will be buoyed by the Test team’s first return to the UAE since white-washing England 3-0 last year.

“We are all looking forward to what promises to be a fantastic, and hard fought series between two excellent teams,” said David East, Chief Executive Officer, Abu Dhabi Cricket Club.
“Pakistan is always an exciting team to watch, and I’m sure they’ll want to avenge a series loss to South Africa earlier this year. The UAE is familiar territory for them, and with what I’m sure will be some strong home support, they will push South Africa all the way.”

As preparation for the first Test Pakistan will warm up with a two-day game against the UAE at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium on 9-10 October.

Meanwhile South Africa will play a three-day game against a Pakistan A side in Sharjah from October 8-10.

“We are excited to be pitting ourselves against a full Pakistan side as they prepare to take on the best team in the world,” said former Pakistan fast bowler and UAE cricket coach Aaqib Javed.

“Cricket in the UAE is going from strength to strength and the opportunity to test ourselves against a Test playing national like Pakistan will only benefit our guys in the long run. We aren’t going to be out there to give them practice – we play to win.”

Following South Africa, Pakistan will host Sri Lanka between December and January 2014 in a series involving three Tests, five ODIs and two T20 internationals.

Abu Dhabi will host two of the ODIs (December 25 and 27) and the 1st Test of three Test matches on from December 31  to January 4.

Abu Dhabi will also host group A of the ICC World T20 qualifiers from November 15-30, with eight of the associate nations being based in the UAE capital.

The Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium will host the latter stages of the tournament, including semi-finals and the final.

Entrance to the first Test will be completely free – allowing everyone from families and children to seasoned cricket lovers, to enjoy the oldest and most respected form of the game.

Tickets for the one day internationals can be purchased from various outlets across Abu Dhabi and Dubai and online from www.boxoffice.me and Time Out Tickets.

Prices start at Dh30.

Tickets for the ODIs at Sheikh Zayed Stadium are available from the following outlets in Abu Dhabi and Dubai:

Abu Dhabi: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Malik Exchange, Ibrahimi Restaurants, Murree Sweets & Refreshments, Pak Nemat Kadda Restaurant, Bollywood Sports, Pakistan Land Foodstuff, Al Roshan Restaurant.

Dubai: Sindh Punjab Restaurant

Online Outlets: BoxOfficeMe.com, Ticketingco.com, Time Out Tickets


 

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